One of Manchester City’s biggest assets is getting back to full fitness | OneFootball

There is no doubt that Josko Gvardiol is one of Manchester City’s prized assets. He plays a key role for Pep Guardiola’s side in the heart of City’s defence, and his durability is an asset to his team. More often than not, Josko Gvardiol is fit and available for selection. This stood out last season as the Croatian defender played a key role for his team at the back end of the 24/25 season. But Josko Gvardiol’s efforts came at a cost. He had a delayed start to the 25/26 season due to a knee injury.

Both Pep Guardiola and Josko Gvardiol have explained the toll that last season took on the Croatian defender. However, Gvardiol has overcome the issues that hampered him at the start of this season, and he should continue to improve as the season progresses.

Josko Gvardiol and Pep Guardiola have explained the toll that the back end of last season took on the Croatian international.

Speaking in an interview with Nova TV over the recent international break, Josko Gvardiol explained why he missed the beginning of this season. He said the toll of the end of last season, combined with not being able to prepare properly for games, caught up to him. Gvardiol explained: “I was out for a long time, struggling with a knee injury, but now everything is fine and under control. I feel tired because I didn’t prepare properly and there are a lot of games, but I tried to bring as much as possible to the team.”

Pep Guardiola also spoke on Josko Gvardiol’s fitness during his pre-game press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Everton. The Manchester City manager explained that a busy schedule caught up to Gvardiol. Pep Guardiola added that the Croatian international is now over the injury issue that delayed his start to the season, and that Gvardiol has scope to improve as a player. The City manager explained: “He’s young, physicality, but we cannot forget that last season he was maybe one of the most important players in terms of playing, playing, playing, and playing, with the problems we had.”

“And after, he suffered it, in pre-season, end of the season, Club World Cup, beginning of the season had some problems with the knees, and he’s now getting better. He’s so young, physicality is outstanding, he can play two roles perfectly, but always we spoke together – from my point of view – he has a big, big margin to improve as a player.”

“But he’s incredibly perfectly coachable, a top, top guy, and listens a lot, wants to improve, and that will help him to be a better player.”

A fully fit Josko Gvardiol is arguably Manchester City’s best defender.

When fully fit, Josko Gvardiol is arguably Manchester City’s best defender. His ability to play at centre-back or at left-back makes him a significant asset in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Gvardiol has the defensive acumen, pace and strength to thrive in the heart of City’s defence. He is also adept at playing left-back, and that is where he established himself in Pep Guardiola’s side after signing for Manchester City from RB Leipzig. His supreme technical ability made him a valuable weapon to his team going forward from left-back. We have seen this continue this season from centre-back this season as Josko Gvardiol’s ability to pick out a pass has seen him set up two goals for Erling Haaland so far this season.

As Manchester City secured Champions League football at the end of the 24/25 season, Josko Gvardiol pushed himself to the limit to aid Manchester City’s cause. He paid a price for those efforts at the beginning of this season. The Croatian international is now seemingly over the knee issue that hampered his start to the season, and he should go from strength to strength as this season develops now that he is fully fit.