Was listening to the “Two Robbies” podcast this morning by Robbie Mustoe and Earle who are part of the US broadcast crew. Tim Howard was filling in for Mustoe today. A couple really complementary things.
1. Regarding Gvardiol, “Not huge money. I mean, he was available for everybody out there.” I’ve always thought he got way too much crap for being so expensive…when I felt like it was the market had demanded these prices of late. Funny also because the Guardian podcast I listened to after talked about how high his price was!
2. They talk about getting the team sheets before the match and if any other team doesn’t have in their “best IX” they assume it will be a struggle. But re City,
“It doesn't matter. We always say, this is a city team that is strong as it could be.
And no other team in the Premier League can do that. And so they go from strength to strength, and it's such a luxury to be able to implement players into starting life, not like, oh, this guy's a little bit older and he might not be able to get about. No matter what team they play, it's the strongest team.”
3. And a bit on the culture:
“But the history making of what this team do, and there's something that's always stuck with me about Manchester City, and Pep, is for all the success in any game they've ever played, at whatever situation it is, I've never once seen a Manchester City player showboat. I've never seen a Manchester City player go for nutmegs. I've never seen a Manchester City start the old ways.
It's almost like that isn't in them. That's not what they're about. Other teams do that, and other teams have their moments, and you see people go for the nutmegs and sort of having a little laugh.
It's almost like he's taking his team above that level. That's OK, guys. That doesn't win you anything.”
And the best,
“You talk about culture that Manchester United don't have. Manchester City have it, and Pep is incessant on trying to make sure his players are right. And I love it.”
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