Josko Gvardiol has consistently been one of Manchester City’s best players this season and his goal against AFC Bournemouth summed up how he has emerged as a saviour for his side.
If City had tucked away some of the chances they created in the latter stages of Saturday’s game, Gvardiol would be heralded for kickstarting their comeback.
But unfortunately for Pep Guardiola, his Manchester City side could not get the job done against Andoni Iraola’s side.
The Croatian’s goal was a stunner as his leap and powerful header was reminiscent of a goal that a top striker would dispatch.
Gvardiol has now scored three goals in the Premier League this campaign and alongside Mateo Kovacic, he is Manchester City’s joint second-highest goalscorer in the division behind Erling Haaland (11).
The 22-year-old is well and truly having a phenomenal season.
Josko Gvardiol has scored as many away Premier League goals as Nicolas Jackson in 2024
Recently, Pep Guardiola lauded Gvardiol for having an eye for goal that most defenders do not.
Strikingly, most of the youngster’s goals tend to be of the highest order as well.
It has emerged that Gvardiol has scored as many away goals (six) in the Premier League in 2024 as both Nicolas Jackson and Mohamed Salah.
Jackson, in particular is a striker and this season, Chelsea (19) are only behind Manchester City as the top-scorers in the league this campaign.
Last season, the Blues scored the fifth-most goals (77) in the division as well.
This campaign, Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer also has the second-most assists (five) in the league behind Bukayo Saka (seven).
Yet, Gvardiol has as many away league goals than him this year, as he also bagged a screamer at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League.
Which Premier League away stadiums has Gvardiol scored at in 2024?
Manchester City will be heavily reliant on the former RB Leipzig defender to pop up with more such goals in tough away games.
With Erling Haaland often marked by several defenders inside the box, there is more space for other players to go for goal.
The two-time DFB-Pokal winner is seemingly aware of this being the case, as exemplified by his impressive knack for goal. Here is a breakdown of Gvardiol’s six away goals in the league this year.
| GVARDIOL’S AWAY PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS IN 2024 | ||
| TEAM | STADIUM | GOALS |
| NOTTINGHAM FOREST | CITY GROUND | 1 |
| FULHAM | CRAVEN COTTAGE | 2 |
| NEWCASTLE UNITED | ST. JAMES’ PARK | 1 |
| WOLVES | MOLINEUX STADIUM | 1 |
| BOURNEMOUTH | VITALITY STADIUM | 1 |
Both last season and this campaign, Gvardiol’s goals have been worth their weight in gold.
Especially in Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne’s absences this campaign, two players who are known to score vital goals, the versatile centre-back has stepped up and put the ball in the back of the net.
The fact that Gvardiol has as many away league goals this year as Jackson and Salah goes to show how special a player he is.
