24 | Joško Gvardiol - 2023/24

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

He is not perfect as it stands by any means, but I think the sky is the limit for this guy. In a few years, he might be a legitimate contender for the first defender since...Cannavaro (I think) to win Ballon d'Or.

He's still in the enigmatic stage at the moment. There was one occasion in the second half where he skipped in with a twinkle-toed foxtrot, and one occasion in the first half where he passed the ball all of four yards straight to a Sheff U player. But at 20-yrs-old he's still a little rough around an edge.

 

[Gabriel]

He's still in the enigmatic stage at the moment. There was one occasion in the second half where he skipped in with a twinkle-toed foxtrot, and one occasion in the first half where he passed the ball all of four yards straight to a Sheff U player. But at 20-yrs-old he's still a little rough around an edge.

Something Kovacic and Grealish also managed repeatedly. I think we were playing too close together and quite narrowly.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Something Kovacic and Grealish also managed repeatedly. I think we were playing too close together and quite narrowly.

Yeah, there's not much space between an opposition who line up two banks of five. Yer do need someone who can slip a pass through the needle - Oscar - or go round the outside. I do like the players who can shimmy onto the goal line. Nothing better fucks up a back five with a ball round the back of 'em - own goal territory.

I don't know why teams play the way they do, 'cos they must know, as I've said time and time again, blanket defences have to get it right EVERY time! Yer know one of 'em will cock up sooner or later.

There was one point in the second half where Akanji, apart from Eddie, who was our last line of defence and he was about fifteen or twenty yards from the Sheff U area!

 

[mccity]

It's probably a bit of a cliche, but it's easy to forget how raw he still is.

There's a ton of talent there. He dribbles really well and has a great eye for a pass. Defensively, he's strong in the air and makes some really impressive tackles all over the pitch.

However, his decision-making on the ball is a bit iffy at times, and his positioning can leave us vulnerable. Plus, I feel that he's a bit too eager at times. I suspect that's why we haven't seen him at CB much yet (Much like the reason it took a long time to see Foden get consistent minutes centrally). Still, I'd like to think that's because he's not had much time at the club.

I really do think that he'll be absolutely top quality once he's had time to properly bed in.

 

[oldius]

At 21, an utterly outstanding prospect.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I think he is great. Probably not as a left winger though.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

How some City fans are failing to see what a cultured footballer this is just bemuses me. Yes, he's made the odd mistake in defence — join the club, these last few weeks! I mean, really, who hasn't?
But he reads the game beautifully, and he's got the pass of a midfielder on him.

 

[OB1]

How some City fans are failing to see what a cultured footballer this is just bemuses me. Yes, he's made the odd mistake in defence — join the club, these last few weeks! I mean, really, who hasn't?
But he reads the game beautifully, and he's got the pass of a midfielder on him.

Nothing much surprises me.

I think this lad has the tools and just needs time to develop. City have an excellent people identifying players that we should buy. They don’t get much wrong and they would have been very confident about Josko before shelling out so much to acquire his registration.

Pep plays him a lot so he must trust him.

 

[thanatos]

Thought he was exceptional today. His ball playing is otherworldly. Only 21? This lad is set to be one of the greatest we have ever had if he keeps working hard.

 

[Trojan1962]

Had a great game and getting better every week