INSIDE NEWS: Leonardo Bonucci was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City
Leonardo Bonucci of Italy speaks to the media during the Italy Press Conference at Wembley Stadium on May 31, 2022 in London, England.
Leonardo Bonucci was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City during his time at Juventus.
At the time, Bonucci had already entered his thirties.
However, the Italian international’s profile of defender seemed tailor-made for a Pep Guardiola side.
The veteran has always been renowned for being one of the best ball-playing centre-backs of his generation.
Bonucci was also a very tactically versatile defender, known to be comfortable playing in a back three and a back four.
Considering Pep Guardiola has experimented with both setups at Manchester City, in theory, the eight-time Serie A winner’s signing could have been a success.
Leonardo Bonucci of Italy battles for possession with Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Quarter-fin…
Photo by Alex Grimm – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
However, Bonucci ended up signing for AC Milan in 2017.
Even now, Manchester City tend not to sign players who are at the backend of their careers.
It seems like the transfer policy at the Etihad Stadium is to target players who are at ages where they are not yet at the peak of their powers.
However, in a few years, the player in question will enter their prime in a City shirt if they put pen to paper.
As a result, it would have been a surprise had the Sky Blues completed a move involving the former Fenerbahce colossus.
However, Bonucci has revealed that Pep Guardiola was keen on ensuring he becomes a Manchester City player in his first year at the club in 2016.
Speaking to Sky Italia, the retired centre-back revealed: “When I decided to leave Juventus in 2017, both Manchester City and PSG wanted me. They also sent a financial proposal but… I wanted to stay in Italy and I decided to join AC Milan”.
Man City ultimately got lucky with Leonardo Bonucci decision
While Bonucci is a legend of the game, it was clear to see that he was past his best at AC Milan.
So much so that the 37-year-old only spent a season at San Siro before returning to Juventus.
Perhaps Bonucci would have looked the part at Manchester City.
But on the evidence of how his time at AC Milan panned out, it’s safe to assume that Bonucci was at a stage in his career where he was past his prime.
It is interesting to note that Pep Guardiola personally wished for the decorated defender to join City.
Perhaps Guardiola had a plan in place for Bonucci to help elevate his Manchester City side.
According to a report by Sky Sports, Pep Guardiola has underscored the importance of competition within his squad, particularly between goalkeepers Ederson and Stefan Ortega. Guardiola praised Ortega’s quality, explaining how the dynamic between the two keeps Manchester City’s standards high.
“Ederson is important. But always I had the feeling Stefan [Ortega] is exceptional. Sometimes Ederson has to feel you have to perform well, otherwise Stefan can play! This healthy competition, because they respect/have an incredible relation, makes us better,” Guardiola remarked.
Ederson has been a standout for City, known for his sharp reflexes and ability to play out from the back. However, Guardiola’s comments highlight that despite Ederson’s consistent performances, the presence of Ortega ensures that complacency does not creep into his game. Ortega, who joined City as a reliable backup, has shown he is capable of stepping in whenever called upon, and his level of play keeps Ederson focused on maintaining his spot in the team.
The mutual respect between the two goalkeepers plays a key role in maintaining harmony within the squad, as the competition pushes both to improve. Guardiola’s approach fosters a strong team spirit, with each player knowing their contribution is vital, regardless of their role.
This strategy has helped Manchester City remain one of the most formidable teams in Europe, with depth in every
position ensuring they stay competitive on all fronts.
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