Versatile centerback Josko Gvardiol, who is one of the most expensive defenders in the world by valuation and by his transfer fee from RB Leipzig to Manchester City in 2023, has assured his manager that he will play anywhere he is asked.
The Croat, who joined the reigning Premier League champions in 2023 on a five-year deal for €90 million, has been used in many areas of defence and as a wingback. In that one, he has also proven to be a potent goal threat, scoring ten goals – nine of which have come in the Premier League – and providing two assists in 74 games across all competitions for City in that time.
Those stats make him the best goal-scoring defender in English top-flight football at the moment, with fans and pundits joking that he is versatile enough to play as a centre forward or a winger if Guardiola ever needs him to.
The Croatia international seems to have gotten in on those jokes by stating clearly during the press conference ahead of City’s UEFA Champions League clash with Club Brugge that he will take up any role that his manager requires him to.
“I am the one available and whatever he [Pep] wants from me – centre-back, wing-back – I am ready,” the 23-year-old said.
“I can see it is difficult for the manager. I said many times that I am a defender. My job is to protect the goal. If I find myself at the opposite goal I will do everything to score and help the team in the game.
“I like to play with the ball. The only thing is if I am high it can be difficult to come back and defend.
“We saw this last season, almost on the line and attacking the space in behind. This is familiar to me. After the last few weeks, we had to change something [against Chelsea] and that was the idea of the manager and I think it worked. We will see what he prepares for tomorrow.”
Gvardiol also praised City’s UCL opponents ahead of the match.
“I can tell you they are a good team,” he began. “That’s the reason they are here in the Champions League. It won’t be easy. I faced them with Leipzig a couple of years ago and they were really good.
“They like wide wingers and try to play one-v-one so I think it will be a good game. We need to win and we will do everything to win it.
“I have seen this season many times teams come to Etihad and try to defend for 90 minutes. It is difficult for us to get through this but we will see tomorrow.”
