Tony Cascarino claims that Josko Gvardiol has struggled as a left-back for Manchester City in his debut season.
The pundit criticised Gvardiol’s start to life at City on The Sunday Times’ The Game podcast after his side’s 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Frank Leboeuf also recently said that he “wasn’t very impressed” with the £200,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man’s showing against Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Tony Cascarino says Josko Gvardiol is having a “hard time” at left-back for Manchester City
While the 21-year-old has played as a left-back for Croatia and RB Leipzig in the past, his natural position is at centre-back.
Apart from during the Sky Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup, the highly-rated talent has not played in the centre of defence for Pep Guardiola’s men yet this season.
Tony Cascarino believes the decision to utilise Josko Gvardiol as a left-back has yet to work wonders for Manchester City.
“Gvardiol’s come in as left-back, I’m not sure why Nathan Ake wouldn’t be first-choice there because he’s had a hard time. In the World Cup, he was brilliant a year ago. He was playing as a centre-half. He’s come into Man City and as Pep [Guardiola] does so often, [he] wants to play players in other positions.”
“But I don’t think that’s worked for him at left-back. I think Brennan Johnson was giving him problems, especially with his electrifying pace”, Cascarino told The Sunday Times’ The Game podcast.
There is enough evidence to suggest that Josko Gvardiol can become a top left-back
While Josko Gvardiol has had a few ropey moments at left-back, Tony Cascarino has not acknowledged that for the most part, he has adapted to his new role excellently.
It was during his side’s 4-4 draw against Chelsea in which the Croatian international had a night to forget as a full-back.
But otherwise, Gvardiol has shown, both defensively and offensively that he has the minerals to become a top left-back.
The former Dinamo Zagreb defender has exhibited the athleticism to defend in wide areas and keep wingers quiet.
While going forward, particularly in Manchester City’s 3-1 win against RB Leipzig, Josko Gvardiol has shown that he is terrific at driving forward with the ball and is quite a creative passer.
As Gvardiol continues to find his feet at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola’s decision to deploy him in this position could prove to be a masterstroke.
