dailyloe.com – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has publicly praised midfielder Nico Gonzalez’s attitude and readiness for the crucial FA Cup sixth-round tie against Liverpool this Saturday. The match kicks off at 12:45 UK time at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola confirmed the 21-year-old will be in the squad for this high-stakes encounter.
Gonzalez has made 35 appearances across all competitions for City this season. His last start was in the FA Cup fifth-round victory away to Newcastle United in early March. Despite fewer minutes recently, his contribution remains valued by the coaching staff.
Guardiola directly addressed Gonzalez’s development in a recent press conference. He stated the young midfielder is learning from teammate Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. “Rodri is the best midfield player in the world so he can learn,” Guardiola said.
The manager highlighted a specific strong performance from Gonzalez this season. He played alongside Maximo Perrone in the win at Newcastle. Guardiola described those displays as “some of the best performances this season.”
However, Guardiola acknowledged the established quality in his squad. He noted the consistent performances of Rodri and Bernardo Silva. This competition naturally limits opportunities for younger players.
Guardiola emphasized Gonzalez’s professional response to this situation. He compared his attitude to that of defender Kamran Khusanov. “He accepts the situation and trains harder. Always he’s ready,” Guardiola stated.
The City boss described Gonzalez as “a joy to have in the squad.” He believes this has been the player’s best season so far. Yet, he also sees clear areas for future improvement.
Guardiola mentioned specific developmental targets for Gonzalez. These include mental aspects and on-ball technical skills. Improving his ability to break defensive lines and play forward passes is key.
Drawing a parallel, Guardiola noted Gonzalez’s youth and potential margin for growth. He compared his situation to that of Phil Foden’s earlier career path. Patience and continued learning are presented as the formula.
The full second part of Guardiola’s pre-match press conference is available on the club’s official video platform. Manchester City faces Liverpool for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.[]
Source: Manchester City FC
