Pep Guardiola has hailed the versatility of Manchester City’s Fernandinho – and hinted that the midfielder could line up in defence for his side next term.
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Stones has been linked with a move away from the Liverpool based club all summer but no interested party has been able to match his asking price.
John Stones has edged a step closer to leaving Everton after Manchester City accepted they must pay in the region of £50m to land the defender.
With the club also cautiously -optimistic that Vincent Kompany can put his persistent injury woes behind him, it is unlikely that they will meet -Juventus’s pounds 50 million valuation of Leonardo Bonucci.
Guardiola is no stranger to converting central midfielders into centre-halves, as City’s Yaya Toure knows from first-hand experience.
The former Arsenal defender also indicated that special conditioning programmes had been established and that players had been banned from eating certain foods by Guardiola and his staff.
Pep Guardiola secured his first win as Manchester City boss after beating Borussia Dortmund 6-5 on penalties in Shenzhen, China.
“Normally central defenders are strong in the air and aggressive”.
“He has the quality to create good build-up play and can play a forward pass, so I think he has the quality to play there [at centre-half]”.
“Fernandinho can play in 10 positions”, he said.
“So we have a few players who are not training with the team yet”.
“We’ll play two more friendlies before Sunderland and we’ll see how the condition of the players is and we’re going to decide”.
“We’re far away from where we want to be, but people can’t imagine how hard it is”, said Guardiola “At the end we’re going to get there”. He has the quality to play wherever. Last season he was injured and we want to avoid that.
“They have to choose for themselves the best guy to represent their opinions”. I don’t like to do it, because I have only been here a month, so they must decide.
“We’re working hard and those that will be lucky to stay here will have an wonderful season because he’s a coach that gives a lot of energy on and off the field and, from my side, it’s been incredible for the last three weeks”. “That’s all I can say”.
“For me, the weight is so, so important”.
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And the demanding Spaniard admits some players will never “get” his football philosophy.
