Pep Guardiola has suggested that he should have offered Jesus Navas a new deal before he left Manchester City.
After arriving at the Etihad Stadium from Sevilla back in 2013, the winger spent four years at the club before leaving after Guardiola’s first season in charge in 2017 and made a return to the Spanish club, where he is still playing, as a free agent.
With the two clubs now set to battle it out for the UEFA Super Cup tomorrow evening in Athens, the City manager has shared some interesting comments about Navas.
Guardiola says he should have extended Navas’ contract at City
Speaking in his recent press conference ahead of the Super Cup clash against the Spanish side, Guardiola had this to say about Navas when asked about his time at Sevilla since leaving City.
He said: “Maybe now I’d have extended Jesus’ contract. It was an old team in that period, lots of players past 30. In that year a lot of changes. Incredible to see him at 37, 38, how committed he is to Sevilla.”
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During his time with the Citizens, the 37-year-old made 183 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals and delivering 39 assists along the way, picking up one Premier League title in the process.
In his final season at City under Guardiola, Navas made 36 appearances in all competitions, featuring five times in the right-back position.
Since returning to Sevilla, the Spaniard has been a regular figure in the team, which showcases the impressive longevity he has in top-level football.
This also shows why Guardiola has been so impressed with the veteran and why he thinks it may have been beneficial for him and City to have kept hold of him for longer rather that let him leave as a free agent back in 2017.