Manchester City is working to secure Josko Gvardiol’s long-term future as part of its efforts to retain its key players.
The current Premier League champions are reportedly in negotiations to extend Erling Haaland‘s contract at the Etihad Stadium, though no agreement has been reached yet.
It seems Haaland’s future isn’t the only priority for City’s leadership in the coming months. The club is also looking to offer Croatian defender Gvardiol a new contract.
The former RB Leipzig player has just under four years remaining on his current contract. However, his outstanding performances have prompted City to push for new terms sooner rather than later.
The Daily Star reports that Gvardiol will be offered two years to extend his present contract, keeping him at the club until 2030. The new deal will also boost his weekly wages to £150,000, up from £120,000.
Since his £70m move from RB Leipzig last summer, the 22-year-old has played 56 matches for City, securing a Premier League title in his first season. He has also earned a reputation for scoring spectacular goals.
Discussing his transformation into a goalscoring defender, Gvardiol said: “Honestly, I didn’t expect that from myself. Before joining City, all I wanted was to be a solid defender alongside Ruben [Dias], John [Stones], Manu [Akanji], and [Nathan] Ake, regardless of who I played with. Then the manager decided to turn me into a number 10, a left winger!”
“When I was younger, I used to play everywhere on the pitch, even a striker, winger, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder. I feel comfortable no matter where I play, and I find myself many times in this left pocket because the manager wants me to be there.”
Gvardiol has also shared his thoughts on his manager’s future, as Pep Guardiola has less than a year left on his contract. He said: “Pep is always passionate and focused. He’s constantly innovating and motivating us.
“We would all love for him to stay longer because he brings out the best in us and has built something special here. Working under Pep is so rewarding.
“He constantly pushes us to reach our full potential and be perfect in every aspect of our game. His high standards and incredible attention to detail have helped me grow as a player and as a person.”
A Familiar Face Is Becoming Manchester City’s Key Player
As Manchester City battled to a vital 1-0 win over Southampton at the Etihad yesterday, one thing became clear: Bernardo Silva is emerging as City’s key player early this season. The Portuguese international delivered a standout performance, earning man-of-the-match honors against Russell Martin’s team.
As injuries have impacted Manchester City’s squad, Bernardo’s value to the world champions has increased. His ability to fill multiple roles has been crucial, especially with key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb, and Rodri all sidelined. Bernardo’s versatility has become essential to Pep Guardiola’s team.
Yesterday, Bernardo Silva delivered an outstanding performance, primarily in midfield. His energy was key to Manchester City’s 1-0 victory. Partnering with Mateo Kovacic in the midfield, Bernardo was, in my opinion, City’s man of the match. What he brings to the world champions is irreplaceable, as seen in full force at the Etihad. Without his best performance, Manchester City might have found it hard to beat Southampton. Beyond his energy, Bernardo’s exceptional technical skills were also evident, with one dazzling turn under pressure, particularly catching the eye.
After the game, Bernardo Silva expressed his satisfaction with City’s three points. He acknowledged that Southampton put up a strong fight and didn’t give up after Erling Haaland’s early goal. Bernardo said: “Tough game for us, but very happy with the three points. Now, we’re used to that when teams defend deeply against us, which makes it more difficult, and we have to be patient. We are used to that. We had our chances to score three or four goals to make it, but they deserve a lot of credit for what they did here today.”
Bernardo Silva has emerged as Manchester City’s most crucial player following a series of injuries to key players. This was evident yesterday at the Etihad. The champions will be counting on Bernardo’s continued form as they await the return of their injured players.
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