Why Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City Is a Match Made in Heaven?

Man City has confirmed the signing of Josko Gvardiol. Here is why Pep Guardiola is so keen to land him.

Despite only recently turning 21, Gvardiol has already established himself as an indispensable part of RB Leipzig’s setup, practically becoming an ever-present since he arrived from Dinamo Zagreb.

The Croatian defender also shone for his country in the 2022 World Cup as they finished third.

What makes him such an attractive proposition for a side like Manchester City is that Gvardiol is the very definition of a modern-day centre-back. He can perform all the necessary defensive tasks of a traditional defender, while also providing his team with serious ball progression when in possession.  

Playing in a possession-dominant Leipzig side – only Bayern (64.4%) averaged more possession than their 58.3% last season – Gvardiol is extremely comfortable on the ball. Last season he averaged more touches (100 per 90), more successful passes (79.2 per 90) and at a higher accuracy (89.3%) than any other RB Leipzig player. The fact he is used to touching the ball upwards of 100 times per game immediately makes a transition to a similarly possession-heavy side like City more seamless.

But his involvement in possession goes beyond merely circulating the ball. Deployed as the left centre-back in either a back three or back four by Marco Rose, Gvardiol is constantly looking to play forward and break opposition lines with his passing.

Gvardiol made 4.4 progressive passes per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga last season, which was the fourth highest rate among fellow centre-halves. To put that figure into context, 4.4 was higher than any central defender managed in the Premier League last season, and far eclipsed the rates of Rúben Dias (3.2),