Manchester City’s latest addition Rayan Ait-Nouri has opened up on his conversation with Pep Guardiola just days after he joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rayan Ait-Nouri joined Man City for £37m and made his debut at the ongoing Club World Cup tournament. His arrival saw him become City’s first major conventional left back signing since Benjamin Mendy joined from Monaco in the summer of 2017.
While the likes of Nathan Ake, Joško Gvardiol and even Fabian Delph have played in that position, Ait-Nouri is a natural in the role and is determined to make the most of Pep Guardiola’s licence to thrill instructions.
The Algeria full back says City can be the best team in the world on their day as he opened up on Pep Guardiola’s advice.
Rayan Ait-Nouri shooting to goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Al Ain FC. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Aït-Nouri said: “He has told me to play my game without pressure. You know, drive with the ball, cross also in the box. I try to respect the advice he gives me. Hopefully we’ll be good for the next few stages.
“It was freedom. I’m very happy to play like this, without the pressure. I like to drive the ball to the post for the striker. It’s part of my game right now.”
Ait-Nouri is one of City’s big new signings and the signal of a new era at the Etihad as they have spent nearly £300m in 2025 and have eight new boys coming into the squad.
It is designed for City to be back challenging for the major trophies and Ait-Nouri says the biggest draw for him was to work with Guardiola.
Ait-Nouri said: “It’s a big honour. I can improve a lot with him. We saw in the last few years he made a lot of things. He wins every time with this team. He’s the best manager, but I’m very happy to work with him. For sure I will improve my football.”
Tijani Reijnders has arrived for £46m transfer from AC Milan and Rayan Cherki was a big-money deal for £30.5m from Lyon on top of the likes of Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Claudio Echeverri arrived in January.
City failed to land a major trophy last season and Pep Guardiola will be eager to see his team back on the podium celebrating with a title next season.
