Nico Gonzalez has endured a difficult start to life at Manchester City.
The 23-year-old sealed a £50m move to the Etihad Stadium from Porto on transfer deadline day in February, giving Pep Guardiola a new option in the No.6 role after losing Rodri to a serious knee injury.
While the Spaniard has impressed on a personal level, the Citizens have struggled, losing two of the four games he’s featured in, albeit in fairness, those have come against Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Now – speaking to the Independent – Nico Gonzalez has shared two reasons why he currently feels disappointed at Manchester City.
Nico Gonzalez shows winning mentality in reaction to first two weeks at Manchester City
The Spain U21 international is clearly eager to taste success under Guardiola, as he sounds quite frustrated by a slow start to life in Manchester.
Gonzalez said: “I’ve just arrived, I’m not used to playing against players of the quality like Salah, I think he already had 30 goals and it’s tough to play against players like this. I haven’t won a Premier League. I’ve been here two weeks. It’s disappointing to lose and disappointing to be fourth in the league.”
The Manchester City No.14 will need to be patient – he has joined the Citizens amidst an apparent rebuild under Guardiola.
Sky Sports believe Manchester City have told seven senior players to leave this summer – including Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson – as Hugo Viana targets the likes of Florian Wirtz and Ousmane Diomande as potential additions.
Such an overhaul may not spark an immediate return to Manchester City’s previously immense performance levels, so Gonzalez needs to be patient and trust Guardiola.
Can Nico Gonzalez play alongside Rodri?
When Rodri returns, Gonzalez may end up feeling disappointed about a lack of playing time as well, if he cannot operate alongside the Ballon d’Or winner.
Fortunately – on paper at least – it seems like the Spanish duo will be able to play together.
Gonzalez has made 122 appearances as a flat central midfielder throughout his career – compared to just 35 in the No.6 role Rodri adopts – while he has also made nine appearances as an attacking midfielder.
Therefore, Guardiola should be able to deploy Gonzalez slightly ahead of Rodri to good effect, or even next to the Manchester City No.16 depending on the formation.
