Arsenal
The Pep Guardiola period at Manchester Metropolis will all the time be synonymous with attacking prowess, midfield energy and an nearly watertight defence (2016/17 excluded). Many feedback have been made across the cash that Guardiola spent to take Metropolis to the following degree, however the supervisor used his funds properly (more often than not).
However aside from high-profile names, Guardiola signed quite a few gamers that had Metropolis followers questioning who they had been. By the point they left the Etihad Stadium, most of Europe knew their names and have become sought-after stars.
In our first of three articles, we check out a number of the defenders that had been signed just about underneath the radar however went on to play an enormous position within the success of Guardiola’s Metropolis
Oleksandr Zinchenko
It’s no secret that Pep’s first season was a troublesome one for the Catalan boss. Guardiola had already spent round £163m however he’d seen one thing within the Ukraine teen that made him spend slightly below £2m to safe his signing. It appeared like Zinchenko could be a bench participant at greatest.
Loaned out in his first season, Zinchenko didn’t make his debut for Metropolis till the next season, however he went on to make 128 appearances for the membership, scoring twice and beginning the Champions League Last in 2021. Probably the most memorable Zinchenko moments got here at dwelling to Aston Villa on the ultimate day of the 21/22 season. With the Blues 2-1 down, a little bit of ability by the Ukrainian arrange Rodri for the equaliser earlier than the Blues secured the title with a 3-2 victory.
Nathan Ake
Signed in 2020 for £41m from Bournemouth, Nathan Ake placing pen to paper on the Etihad Stadium got here as a shock to many Metropolis followers. The Dutch defender was nonetheless comparatively unknown within the Premier League regardless of making 121 appearances for Bournemouth.
Ake began his senior profession at Chelsea in 2012, making simply 17 appearances in 4 seasons, which included three mortgage spells, earlier than he made the transfer to the Cherries everlasting in 2017. Relegation from the Premier League in 2020 opened the door for the defender to depart Dean Courtroom and it was one thing of a shock when he signed for the Blues.
After a troublesome first season, Ake established himself as a strong, dependable centre-back and was a part of the squad that received the European treble in 2023. Not unhealthy for one more participant who had been rejected by Chelsea.
Manuel Akanji – Dortmund £ 15m
In all probability the very best instance of an under-the-radar signing got here within the type of Swiss star Manuel Akanji. Signed from Borussia Dortmund for a modest price of £15m. Akanji turned an on the spot hit within the Metropolis defence and scored his first purpose for the membership in a memorable 4-0 victory over Actual Madrid that despatched Metropolis to the Champions League closing for the second time of their historical past.
A heart-stopping second within the second half of that closing noticed a uncommon error from the Swiss star, left Blues followers hiding behind their palms, however Akanji obtained away with it and when Rodri scored the winner, the defender was essentially the most relieved.
The defender has now made 136 appearances, scoring 5 objectives and continues to be probably the most relied upon stars in Pep’s aspect.
The Evolution of John Stones
It’s truthful to say that when John Stones arrived at Metropolis in 2016, he initially did not stay as much as the £50m price ticket Metropolis paid Everton. He was susceptible to errors and his inconsistent type threatened his place within the England aspect. Virtually each weekend, there could be memes round social media asking who makes the higher defender – John Stones or a pile of stones.
However, as has been seen many occasions over the Pep years, gamers want one season to adapt to Guardiola’s mind-set and taking part in and that’s precisely what occurred with Stones.
Pep moulded the defender nearly to play a defensive midfield position and Stones revelled on this new place and shortly, he turned probably the most constant gamers in Metropolis’s again line. Stones compelled his method again into the England squad and had the followers chanting his identify each sport. His new-found consistency made his earlier type a factor of the previous and Stones’ evolution at Metropolis is considered one of Pep’s best achievements in terms of participant enhancement.
When historians look again on Pep’s legacy at Manchester Metropolis, they could concentrate on the trophies or the attacking aptitude. However his potential to determine, nurture, and rework uncooked expertise into an entire participant is unparalleled. The journeys of gamers like Zinchenko, Aké, Akanji and Stones exemplify this masterclass in participant growth. Like many others, they arrived on the Etihad with out the pre-existing “world-beater” tag however, by Guardiola’s genius thoughts, his relentless calls for in coaching and their very own want to enhance, these defenders elevated their video games to an elite degree, turning into the quiet, but indispensable rocks that type Metropolis’s backline. Their tales underscore that in Pep’s system, potential is usually extra priceless than quick celebrity standing.
Though Zinchenko later joined Arsenal, Metropolis had been in a position to command a a lot greater price than the one they paid, a tribute to Pep’s arduous work and dedication at growing gamers.
