It isn’t a coincidence that Manchester City’s midfield looks better when Nico starts | OneFootball

Over recent games, we have seen Ilkay Gundogan get back to his best. Or the best level he can play at given his age and physical limitations. The same could be said for Mateo Kovacic over recent matches. But when you look at Manchester City’s midfield and how they perform it does appear that they function best when Nico starts. We saw that during City’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and the attributes that Nico adds to Manchester City’s midfield does allow Gundogan and Kovacic to do what they do best as we saw on Saturday.

When Nico starts in midfield he does provide cover for Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan to do drift forward. Both players are adept at driving forward from midfield. But as we have seen throughout this season, if there is no cover in midfield when they do that, Pep Guardiola’s side are exposed back the other way. Throughout this season, it has been littered with moments when teams have got at the weaknesses of Pep Guardiola’s side. Mateo Kovacic driving forward from midfield and getting caught in possession has cost City on occasions and has been a source of frustration. Ilkay Gundogan hasn’t got the legs to get up and down the pitch like he once could.

Nico’s presence allows Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan to get further up the pitch.

But when you pair Nico with the two, all of a sudden, Manchester City’s midfield appears to be a lot more stable. Nico isn’t a number six by trade, but he knows where to be when the other two get forward. Nico wasn’t perfect against Crystal Palace but his presence in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup allows Kovacic and Gundogan to get further up the pitch. We saw that for Mateo Kovaci’s goal on Saturday. Gundogan also had his moments in the final third at the Etihad. They can do that with the comfort of knowing that Nico can cover for them in midfield.

If Manchester City lose the ball Nico can win the necessary duels in midfield to regain possession. He isn’t a midfield powerhouse but he is adept at this side of the game. Having him on the pitch does give Pep Guardiola’s side a stronger and more stable appearance in their engine room.

Nico isn’t without his flaws. His habit of picking up an early yellow card must be addressed. But when he starts he does add cover and allows Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic to play to their strengths. As Manchester City bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League continues this could be a vital ingredient in that chase.