Barcelona star reveals how Man City new signings can adapt to Pep Guardiola style

Barcelona star midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has explained how new players under Pep Guardiola can benefit from the Spaniard and adapt to his unique style of play.

Pep Guardiola has grown to become one of the greatest managers in football history. His unique style of play saw Manchester City win a fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.

Gundogan who also had a successful spell at Man City before joining Barcelona has now revealed what it takes to learn from Guardiola and how Rodri benefitted from the Spain tactician.

Ahead of Germany’s match with Spain at the European Championship, Gundogan explained how midfielder Rodri would stay behind for half an hour after training sessions at the City Football Academy – not to do extra work, but to speak with the manager.

“When a player tries to adapt to Pep’s football, to a new environment, he needs information: to see things, repeat them, go over them, learn. He’s a coach that requires your attention, understanding,” he told the Guardian.

“As a midfielder, you don’t so much need to learn the practical work, although it’s always useful: receiving, passing. In theory you already have that; what you don’t have is the ‘’where does the pass go?’ The decision. So you talk.”

It did not bear immediate results as the Spaniard struggled in his first year at the Etihad, but he has since become the best player in his position in the world.

Learning to adapt to Guardiola’s methods takes time for many players, with very few City signings capable of showing their best in their first season. However, Rodri can vouch for the value of speaking to the manager as often as possible in the early days in order to best understand what is expected of you.

Man City are expected to add more players to their squad. Savio is expected to join City this summer and they will be expected to sign a player in Rodri’s position after Kalvin Phillips failed to provide the necessary competition or cover.

However, City’s chairman has warned that there may be fewer transfers than usual across the league though as a result of the increased regulations that all clubs must adhere to.