Not many managers in world football have as bankable a track record when it comes to turning quality players into absolute megastars as Pep Guardiola.
At Barcelona, Guardiola promoted the likes of Sergio Busquets and Pedro Rodriguez — who went from talented youth players to players who were played in a key role in some of Barcelona’s greatest-ever teams.
Busquets is widely regarded as the best holding midfielder in the history of football while Pedro’s role in the Blaugrana’s legendary front three that also featured Lionel Messi and David Villa is still hailed to this day.
During his spell as Bayern Munich boss, it was under Pep Guardiola that a young Joshua Kimmich became the world-class right-back he is today.
While at Manchester City, it was after working with the Catalan tactician that Raheem Sterling turned into one of the most productive and complete wide forwards in the world.
Other examples include Bernardo Silva’s rise as one of the most well-rounded attackers in Europe and Nathan Ake’s development as one of the best defenders in the world.
John Stones is another player who would perhaps have failed to develop into a world-class defender had Pep Guardiola not persisted with him during his development stages as a prodigious, yet error-prone centre-back.
As Guardiola continues to remain an active manager, it seems inevitable that he will continue to nurture players with high potential and help them fulfill their potential.
Darren Bent feels there is one player who the £378,846-a-week man could have a similar impact on.
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Darren Bent shares what Man City boss Pep Guardiola could do with Joao Felix
As Joao Felix was offered to City in exchange for Julian Alvarez as per a recent report, the pundit expressed how Guardiola could transform him into a world-class player.
The report added that Manchester City have been interested in signing the 24-year-old — signed by Atletico Madrid for a whopping £113 million (Sky Sports) in 2019 — even before he signed for Chelsea on loan.
On talkSPORT (06/08/2024, 6:20 pm), Bent said: “Oh my goodness! Don’t let Pep [Guardiola] get hold of him. He will take him as well, Pep and he will turn him into a superstar again. He will find a way, and he likes that false nine, doesn’t he? I know he has got [Erling] Haaland, but don’t like that.”
However, Fabrizio Romano claimed on The Here We Go Podcast that City are uninterested in the prospect of signing Felix as a replacement for Atletico Madrid-bound Alvarez.
The Portuguese international’s contract at Atletico Madrid expires in 2027.
Despite joining Barcelona on loan last season, Hansi Flick’s side ultimately decided not to sign him on a permanent basis.
Guardiola could do wondrous things if he had Felix at his disposal
It is difficult to disagree with Darren Bent, as he perhaps rightly suggested that the false nine role would suit Felix to a tee if he played under Pep Guardiola.
In Erling Haaland’s absence, Guardiola would be able to deploy the former Benfica wonderkid up front and instruct him to roam across the pitch and create space for his teammates.
The silky forward has the ability to beat players, technical excellence and positional intelligence to come into his own under the two-time treble-winning manager.
During the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons, the Manchester City boss implemented this tactic brilliantly and considering Felix has always looked comfortable in a free role up front, he could thrive under him.
The versatile attacker is yet to truly live up to the billing for various clubs and country but under Pep Guardiola, the pair could be a match made in heaven.
However, it does not seem like Manchester City intend to make a move for Felix to test whether he can play his best football under Guardiola.
