Guéhi thanks team-mates for helping him succeed in midfield role | OneFootball

Marc Guéhi has credited his City team-mates for helping him be a success in the holding midfield role in the opening weekend victory over Bournemouth.

Men's Team

Maresca: The players are close to understanding my plans

A centre-back by trade, the England international was moved further forward for the 2-1 win over the Cherries and impressed with a man of the match performance.

City boss Enzo Maresca was delighted with his showing and says he is an option to reprise the role when Guéhi revisits his old club Crystal Palace for the first time since his January move to the Etihad.

And the former Eagles player has thanked his team-mates and the City boss for helping him fit seamlessly into his new position.

“I felt good and comfortable,” he said ahead of the game at Selhurst Park on Friday at 20:00 (UK).

“There was a lot of work on the training pitch with the manager in the week before.

“I’m fortunate enough to have so many good team-mates around me and helped me before and during the game to feel at ease to step into that position. It was really enjoyable.”

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City have an extra option in midfield following the arrival of Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi while Rayan Cherki made a big impact from the bench with two assists, including the corner for Guéhi’s equaliser.

With Elliot Anderson also joining in the summer, Maresca has plenty of quality to pick from with Guéhi impressed by the trio.

“[Rayan is] a fantastic player with such a fantastic future ahead of him,” he said.

“He’s definitely made a difference coming on – and usually does in any game he plays.

“He’s a player we love and just want to carry on doing well. He’s always smiling – he’s just a good guy to have around.

“[Elliot] looks like he’s settled in very well. It’s still early days but so far, he looks very comfortable and like himself – I think we’ll only see more and more and the best of Elliot.

“[Ayyoub] is a very exciting young player with loads of potential and a great future ahead of him. I know everyone here will take good care of him, and everyone is excited to see him play.”

For Guéhi, it will be a first return to Selhurst Park and a Club that played such a big part in his career and he is looking forward to going back.

“[I’m] really excited to go back. A really emotional one for me – a club I spent so long at.

“It’s a place where I developed and where the people helped me to get to where I am today. I’m extremely grateful to them. I’m looking forward to it.”