Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken highly of a player in his ranks whom he has described as “incredibly coachable”.
Manchester City were in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday night, getting the better of Huddersfield Town to reach the fourth round.
After the match, Pep Guardiola was spotted talking to Nico Gonzalez, who was handed just his third start of the season away in the cup clash.
Footage of the exchange did the rounds on social media, and Guardiola explained at his post-match press conference what he spoke to Gonzalez about.
Pep Guardiola describes Nico Gonzalez as a manager’s ‘gift’
Guardiola revealed that he told Gonzalez about his need to assist his teammates more often as they break the lines in order to create chances.
The City boss also explained how Gonzalez is a manager’s dream as he is “incredibly coachable”, unlike some other players.
“Nico’s a guy who listens a lot and wants to improve and asks me what to do in different circumstances,” Guardiola said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“When you are on the pitch, it’s better because you are there and can explain better.
“Nico is a young lad and he is incredibly coachable. When players want to be coachable, it’s a gift for all the managers.
“There were others whom it is more difficult to tell them. These guys must be helped until the end.
“He has to realise, especially in the second half, as much as we were able to contact with him and make control forward and break the lines, every time was a chance.
“Three times in the second half we broke the lines with Phil [Foden], Rico [Lewis] and a winger arrived it was a chance. He has to use it more and more.
“He has this potential to do it. In the next games, in his process he will get it.”
Why Pep Guardiola’s interaction with Nico Gonzalez is incredibly exciting for fans
Guardiola is a manager who has incredibly high standards and, to succeed in his team, a player has to have the right attitude as well as the right quality.
For Guardiola to single Gonzalez out and describe a coachable player is great news, and the fact he spoke with him on the pitch after the game shows he clearly sees something in him.
Man City fans noticed how Gonzalez’s display against Huddersfield was reminiscent of Rodri.
And it cannot be forgotten that Rodri wasn’t great in his first season – he needed some time to get up to speed in arguably the most difficult role in Guardiola’s team.
He eventually got there, and the rest is history – perhaps Guardiola sees Gonzalez as his Rodri regen.
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