The improvement of a Manchester City midfielder means he could be City’s key player against Crystal Palace | OneFootball

One of the big success stories for Manchester City so far this season has been the rise of Spanish midfielder Nico. With Rodri plagued by fitness issues so far this season, Pep Guardiola’s side needed Nico to become the number six that City desperately needed. The Spanish midfielder has done exactly that. He has become a valuable player for his team and heading into Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League fixture against high-flying Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday, Nico looms as arguably Manchester City’s most important player. If Nico plays well it could go a long way in tilting the balance of Sunday’s match in City’s favour.

Nico put in a superb performance for Manchester City against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Manchester City went to the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening and beat Real Madrid 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League league phase matchday six fixture. The win was a big result for Pep Guardiola’s side. It wasn’t City’s best performance but it was a massive result for the confidence and self belief of this Manchester City team. Nico was at the heart of Manchester City’s win as he put in a strong display in the heart of Manchester City’s midfield.

Nico put in a tidy performance in midfield against Real Madrid. He helped City keep possession when required and he won his duels when necessary. He was strong in a challenge and the task of being the hub of Manchester City’s midfield in a hostile venue wasn’t too much for Nico. If anything, Nico’s performance shows that he belongs on the pitch on the biggest stage for Manchester City. That performance should set him up well to contend with the challenge that awaits at Selhurst Park on Sunday against Crystal Palace.

If Nico is at his best against Crystal Palace he could set the tempo for his team.

Crystal Palace currently sit fourth in the Premier League table ahead of this weekend’s fixtures. Oliver Glasner’s side are a quality side and they possess quality in midfield. Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Daichi Kamada and Will Hughes typically line up in midfield for Palace. They can be a formidable combination and the midfield battle on Sunday could decide the outcome at Selhurst Park. Nico will have a vital role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side. Especially considering his considerable improvement as a player this season.

Nico has become the hub of Manchester City’s midfield. He has picked up the nuances of playing arguably the most complicated role in Pep Guardiola’s side. Nico has risen from a squad player to a leader of sorts in this City team. We saw that against Real Madrid. Nico’s hard work in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva allows Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland the platform to shine. If Nico can dictate the midfield battle against a quality opponent it could tilt the balance of Sunday’s match in his team’s favour. It won’t be an easy task for Nico up against the Crystal Palace midfield. But it is one he is capable of performing which we have seen this season. It isn’t a stretch to say that Nico is the most important City player heading into Sunday’s crucial match.

Nico has grown immensely as a player this season. Perhaps his most defining performance came against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. But the challenges come thick and fast and if Nico can dictate the midfield battle against Crystal Palace it could go a long way in helping his team pick up a valuable three points in a crucial Premier League fixture. That is the challenge in front of Nico and he looks to be more than up for it based on his improvement as a player this season.