By Jennifer Ugwoke
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has acknowledged the challenges his young squad faced in their recent match against Chelsea, emphasising the need for improved communication and understanding among the players.
Guardiola has backed young defender Abdukodir Khusanov to learn from a challenging debut against Chelsea.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe signing of the 20-year-old from French side Lens earlier this week, with a difficult start, conceding an early goal against the Blues.
“Dealing with players like Jackson and Cole, with all these incredible players, is not easy,” Guardiola said, adding that “Khunasov will learn. Although he is not the best, he will learn.”
Despite the team’s control of the ball and numerous passes, Guardiola admitted that they struggled to find the space behind Chelsea defense, particularly for Erling Haaland. He praised the efforts of key players like Gundogan and Kovacic but emphasised the need for continued improvement and understanding of each player’s movements.
Despite the challenges, City secured a three-one victory, a result Guardiola attributed to the team’s resilience and the impactful performance of substitute John Stones, who provided much-needed experience and rhythm.
Guardiola also shared his approach to managing young players who may be struggling. “I don’t have to learn Russian or Uzbek to communicate with my squad,” he said, emphasising that clear and concise feedback, regardless of language barriers, is crucial for player development.
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The Man City manager further stressed the importance of the upcoming final on Wednesday and the need for continued improvement in the Premier League.
He acknowledged the need to adjust their playing style [direct style] when necessary, catering to the importance of finding what works best for the team, even if it means deviating from their usual approach towards ball control.
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