Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola has arrived at Manchester City in what is the realisation of a dream for the blue half of Manchester. The foundations have been structured around the arrival of Guardiola for years and even signings seem to have been tailored towards him. Spending this summer was large, although not as vulgar as some suggested, and it immediately drew the criticism that he wants to buy his way to a title.
This, for all its fun, is a rather frivolous claim. For his unique, tactically revolutionary style, there clearly needs to be a certain type of player available. It’s not solely about the individual talent, but a requirement for players to adapt to different systems and be comfortable in possession.
Spending, though, is a necessity in modern football. Success needs money and money implies immediate success. Having taken over a weak, ageing City squad, Guardiola was not ludicrous in his investment, far from it. To produce the art that Guardiola’s sides so often create, it does take certain players, that’s clear.
His abilities to coach players are not diminished by his spending. Many have improved just from the influence of Guardiola and that alone shows just how good he is…
Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s talent was never in doubt, despite a frustrating first season with Manchester City. It’s hard to tell if this was a failure to slot into Pellegrini’s system or him being weighed down by ugly media criticism and the pressure of a financially public move.
Although many expected Guardiola to bring the best out of Sterling’s potential, few will have envisaged it happening quite so swiftly. Clearly shown faith by the former Barcelona manager, the winger is a first choice and evidently has a full understanding of his role. His best performances are yet to come and Guardiola deserves credit for the rapid turnaround in Sterling’s fortunes.
Aleksandar Kolarov
From unwanted left-back to safe centre-back, Kolarov’s transition from one of City’s greatest weaknesses to a crucial member of the defensive unit is all down to Guardiola, too.
A move away from the Premier League looked a certainty for the Serbian over this summer, but his reinvention makes him an indispensable part of the side. Either stepping into midfield from left-back or spreading the play from central defence, Kolarov looks like he belongs in this City team.
Nicolas Otamendi
Unfairly singled out for criticism at times last season, Otamendi was not the shambles in defence that he was sometimes portrayed as. Nor was he the rock solid defender that we saw at Valencia.
The Argentinian has already proven himself capable in the Premier League under Guardiola. Completing nigh on 90% of his passes, Otamendi looks assured in possession and has been strong enough to deal with occasional isolation defensively. His marshalling of Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains one of the best performances of this young Premier League season, too.
Maybe he would have settled into Premier League action in his second season anyway, but it is impossible not to notice the impact that Guardiola has had on his game.
