There are times when Pep Guardiola is perhaps not completely telling the truth.
Back in April, he insisted Manchester City are just like any other club in feeling the effects of the pandemic, before they smashed the British transfer record to bring in nine-figure signing Jack Grealish three months later.
In June, Sergio Aguero’s father accused Guardiola of crocodile tears live on television when the Spaniard looked distraught after City’s all-time top goalscorer’s final match, claiming the manager “never wanted” his son.
And, perhaps most sacrilegiously of all, Guardiola suggested Saturday’s visit of Arsenal would be a “tough game” in his pre-match programme notes.
But one line that would pass the polygraph with flying colours, one Guardiola has been peddling for some time as City have tried and failed to bring in another striker in the transfer market this summer, is that he is more than content with the squad he has got, and the current forward options at his disposal are perfectly sufficient to launch a successful title defence this season.
As Harry Kane revealed he will be staying at Tottenham for another season, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared set on a sensational switch to City, with fans salivating at the thought of the veteran Portuguese forward coming in, not for what he could do on the pitch, but for the collective fists slamming into walls on the red half of Manchester it would instigate.
Guardiola was not all that keen, with the more level-headed City fans equally unsure. How would he fit in? Would he cause more harm that good? Are Juventus better off for breaking the bank to keep him over the last three seasons?
For Guardiola, any striker was better than none, but as Ronaldo instead completed his romantic return to United, the City boss need not fear. He is right to feel happy with his lot and his claim that he was “not frustrated” by missing out on Ronaldo is further truth talk.
Two players in particular, the very antithesis of Ronaldo and his perfectly-manicured ego, proved in the rampant 5-0 success over a hapless Arsenal on Saturday that the Pep way is still the weapon of choice for City if they want to remain the force they currently are.
Gabriel Jesus, who was used sparingly by Guardiola last season, has featured in all three of City’s games so far this season, starting the last two.
You would think that City’s No 9, the club’s only recognised central striker, would be the focal point of the attack, but instead Guardiola has deployed the Brazilian out wide, to devastating effect.
In his last two games, Jesus has three assists and one goal, but it is his work ethic that makes him so useful to the Guardiola system, which needs all its relentless parts to remain the well-oiled machine that it is.
If Guardiola asks Jesus to play out of position, he does it, to the best of his ability. What’s more, he runs, and he runs, keeping City on the front foot – something Guardiola insists upon.
Jesus had no right to get to a long, hopeful ball in the opening stages of the 5-0 thumping of Arsenal at the Etihad on Saturday, and while the defending was generous in the extreme, he battled away, kept the move alive, before whipping the cross in for Ilkay Gundogan to put City in front.
Ferran Torres ticks all the Guardiola boxes too. Two goals and an assist on Saturday, the Spaniard led the line with aplomb at the Etihad, with his movement up front unplayable at times – a facet to his game that seemed to even take his manager aback after the match.
“He makes movements like the best strikers in behind, like Jamie Vardy,” Guardiola said. “He is a good finisher, he is so young. Man City made an incredible job buying him, a player who can play in three positions.”
Add to this in-form, eager-to-please pair, that Grealish will only get better, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden will return soon, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling are waiting in the wings, and that Guardiola prefers a false nine anyway, City will be just fine without Ronaldo.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3DmqQu2
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