Josko Gvardiol joined Manchester City at the start of the season. After some impressive displays last season, and a couple against Man City, Pep decided to invest in the defender and made him the most expensive one in the history of the sport. Gvardiol is tall and strong and is only 22 years old. Everyone thought that the most expensive defender would get a direct spot in the first team. However, this was not the case as the Croatian took some time to settle.
Pep Guardiola is known for his tactical football. He made another surprise move by using Gvardiol as a full-back. The defender is versatile and adjusts quickly due to his ability to play the ball. Now, he is a regular starter in the team and is providing tremendous displays. Let’s take a look at how Guardiola is using Gvardiol.
Strengthening the left side
Josko Gvardiol is not a natural left-back. He does not have the pace of Kyle Walker but his technical abilities rank him amongst the best in the business. Josko Gvardiol is playing as a left-back and his defensive territory also shows the same. Gvardiol is all over the park on the left side of the defence.
The 22-year-old has won 61% of his defensive duels, 46.3% of his aerial duels and 46.6% of his loose ball duels. His interception rate is on the higher side at 4.35 per 90 minutes. Most of the interceptions came in crucial defensive zones for the team.
Gvardiol is not afraid to put his body on the line. He has made a lot of significant blocks, with most of them coming inside the opposition penalty box. A top team needs such defenders in big games, where they are often caught on the counter and these committed defenders prove to be the difference makers.
Manchester City are a team that likes to attack and attack the opposition. Not all attacks are successful. In most cases, the opposition clears their lines and the team rebuilds from scratch. However, on some occasions, the ball is recovered in dangerous attacking areas and that could even lead to a goal. Josko Gvardiol knows how to make high recoveries and most of them came in the form of counter-pressing ones.
Attacking contributions
A team needs their full-backs to contribute in one way or the other. As these players run in the attacking areas, this gives them the time to add an assist or two to their name. Manchester City are not a team that likes to cross the ball, until and unless there are midfielders making runs. Gvardiol had managed to add an assist to his name. He has a 90% accuracy rate.
The youngster is strong in the air and a threat during set-pieces. He has scored three goals and all goals came in April. Gvardiol started his run with a banger against Real Madrid from outside the box. This was followed by another similar hit against Luton Town in the next match.
Josko Gvardiol cost Man City a lot but he is justifying his price tag. The defender has a bright future ahead and will look to establish himself in England.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
