Manchester City have a star-studded squad that has become even better over the past six months.
After a busy winter on the transfer front, Manchester City have been one of the busiest teams in the early stages of the summer window.
The likes of Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki have strengthened an already-strong squad.
Now, an exciting young player who City bid for in 2023 has spoken highly of a Citizens star who he can now count among his international teammates.
Luka Vuskovic raves about ‘animal’ Josko Gvardiol
Back in 2023, it was reported that City made a bid for Croatian prodigy Luka Vuskovic, as per The Athletic.
However, Tottenham Hotspur won the race for Vuskovic, and he is set to arrive at Spurs this summer.
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The Hajduk Split defender – who has been on loan at Belgian side Westerlo – has already been capped for Croatia at senior international level.
Vuskovic came on as a late substitute in the recent World Cup qualifying win over Czechia, where he played alongside Josko Gvardiol.
And the Spurs-bound talent couldn’t help but sing Gvardiol’s praises as he spoke to Croatian outlet 24 Sata.
“My defensive role model is Josko Gvardiol,” said Vuskovic. “He’s an animal, I’ve never seen that in my life, he’s like an alien.
“We have similarities, but when you see him, you’re shocked at how good he is. We work well together, he solves problems, and I help, ha ha.”
What Pep Guardiola has in mind for Josko Gvardiol next season
Man City fans called for Gvardiol to play at centre-back ahead of the Manchester Derby at the start of April.
Although Gvardiol has played both at centre-back and at left-back between then and the end of the season, there’s a good chance he could continue in the middle.
According to the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Guardiola could well keep Gvardiol and Ruben Dias in the centre.
“There is undeniably a quality to the Gvardiol-Dias partnership that may be hard to beat with any other combination,” Bajkowski wrote.
“Guardiola likes his defenders to be fluid, able to play multiple positions so that he can adapt for whatever opposition they face.
“At the same time, he has not been averse to sticking with the same central partnership if he thinks it is what the team needs.
“Akanji is already back in the matchday squads and the others will look to follow, so there is a good chance the partnership gets broken up before the end of the season.
“What City will have to work out is whether Gvardiol could yet oust his teammates and keep the centre-back role that he looks most comfortable in.”