Over the past few matches Manchester City have played, Nico has become an important player for Pep Guardiola’s side. With Rodri continuing to fight his way through fitness issues, Nico has stepped into Rodri’s role in midfield. The Spanish midfielder has done a superb job deputising for the Ballon d’Or winner. Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Villarreal, Nico has spoken of what it is like playing under Pep Guardiola and learning from Rodri. The lessons he has learned have been obvious to see on the pitch recently and Nico has become vitally important to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Nico has spoken on his improvement as a player learning from Pep Guardiola and Rodri.
Nico faced the media yesterday ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Villarreal. The Spanish midfielder spoke about his improvement as a player playing under Pep Guardiola. Nico explained that he is taking the opportunity to learn all he can from the Manchester City manager. Speaking on playing under arguably the best manager in world football, Nico explained: “It’s really nice but it’s hard (playing under Pep Guardiola). You have to improve, he wants the best from everyone. That’s why he is the best. That’s been good for me. I have improved a lot. And that’s why I play football, to be the best I can and I think I am doing a good job.”
“He is really intense and he tries to show you what you have to do better. But then after he explains everything, you keep thinking about everything and how you can improve. And even now I still think about them when I go to the pitch.”
Nico also explained that he is constantly learning from Rodri about how to play the role that Manchester City’s midfield general has mastered. He explained: “Every game. (Nico asks for Rodri’s advice) The last game at half-time he gave me advice about what he saw. He knows a lot about what I should do in that position.”
“He is one of the captains and that is a really important role, he tries to guide us, especially the young players.”
“He tries to help us understand better the way we want to play.”
Nico has become an important player for Manchester City as he continues to improve.
Learning from Rodri and Pep Guardiola is the ideal setting for Nico to grow as a player. Rodri, when fit, is the best number six in world football. Guardiola was a fine holding midfielder throughout his playing career. He is also one of, if not the best, manager in world football. The opportunity to learn from those two is the ideal setting for Nico to grow as a player.
The lessons Nico has learned at Manchester City since arriving at the club from FC Porto have been clear to see recently. The Spanish midfielders positioning as a number six has improved markedly in recent matches. That was on display in Manchester City’s most recent 2-nil win over Everton. Nico is also picking his moments better as to when to drive forward and when to control the tempo of a match. He can be caught in possession on occasions, but he isn’t the finished product as a midfielder. Once he tidies up that side of his game Nico will be the complete package in midfield.
Summary.
Nico had become vitally important to Manchester City as his improvement has allowed City to continue to win games while Rodri recovers from various fitness issues. The Spanish midfielder is learning from Pep Guardiola and Rodri and the lessons he has learned are clear to see on the pitch. If Nico continues to improve there is no telling how good he can become as a midfielder.
The improvement of a Manchester City midfielder has become vitally important to Pep Guardiola’s side
