Pep Guardiola has suggested that one of his Manchester City defenders looked like the best winger in the world during their recent win over Fulham.
The Citizens took a step closer to potentially regaining the Premier League title by beating Marco Silva’s side 4-0.
All that remains for the Blues in this latest league campaign is an away clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday and a home match against West Ham United on the final day.
Looking back over the recent win at Fulham, the City boss couldn’t help but share some significant praise for one particular figure in his side who made a big impact in this latest away victory.
Guardiola says Josko Gvardiol was the best winger in the world for first goal vs Fulham
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester (via Mike Minay) after the game at Craven Cottage, Guardiola had this to say when asked about Jokso Gvardiol’s two goals against Fulham.
He said: “The first goal, we signed the best winger in the planet.
“He’s an incredible guy, can play in different positions.
“After Wolves, I gave 3 days off, he was the only one who went to the training centre for his recovery. He lives for his profession. We make an incredible signing for many, many years to come.
“He lost a lot of balls in the second half what I wanted with Josko is don’t play like he did in the second half and after he can do what he’s done, he’s more than welcome.
“A defender has to be a defender, be safe with the ball.”
Gvardiol shone in key City game
In the 13th minute of the game in West London, Gvardiol opened the scoring for his side by slotting the ball neatly past Bernd Leno after completing a neat one-two move with Kevin De Bruyne on the edge of the Fulham box.
In the second half of the game, the defender, whom City paid £77m to sign from RB Leipzig last summer, scored his second goal of the game to put the Blues 3-0 up after getting on the end of a Bernardo Silva cross at the back post to poke the ball in the Fulham net.
While Guardiola has unsurprisingly been very complimentary about Gvardiol’s goalscoring efforts in this latest match, it shows how much of a top-level manager he is by also highlighting the areas that the 22-year-old needs to improve on.
