Josko Gvardiol admits to ‘making silly mistakes’ during Manchester City debut season | OneFootball

‘Silly mistakes’ were made during the 2023/24 season, Josko Gvardiol has admitted whilst reflecting on his debut campaign at Manchester City.

The 22-year-old became Manchester City’s most expensive investment of the last summer transfer window, agreeing to a move from German club RB Leipzig as part of his meteoric and ongoing rise within the very top levels of the game.

Etihad Stadium officials showcased their belief in Gvardiol’s talents and future by sanctioning a reported transfer fee of around €90 million, moving the player into the left-back role within their defensive line and often inverting into the middle of the park last season.

Despite his hugely successful end to the 2023/24 season, starring in many of City’s outings and delivering crucial moments in the goals department including a sensational strike against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, Gvardiol has been critical of his debut campaign.

Speaking to reporters upon touch down in New York City this week, having linked up with Manchester City for the remainder of the United States pre-season tour, Josko Gvardiol reflected on his debut season at the club by admitting to ‘silly mistakes’.

“I woke up and I began to perform,” Gvardiol said when looking back on the closing few months of the last campaign, as relayed by MailSport’s Jack Gaughan. “I knew I was making silly mistakes. I had to play more simple and that’s what I changed at the end of the season.”

The Croatia international defender continued, “I was (just) passing the ball to the first player I saw. I had the period without confidence and that’s normal… I believe that Pep chose me because of the way I am.

“The position was something new for me, but I didn’t complain. I took it as a challenge. It feels more comfortable now, definitely.”

The forthcoming 2024/25 season is expected to bring more of the same for Josko Gvardiol, with the Croatia international widely expected to hold down the starting left-back berth despite strong competition for the role from Nathan Ake.

The Dutchman, at present, is viewed as the stronger of the two players for the central defensive role, however Pep Guardiola is not opposed to consistently rotating the two players for the left-back position.

Ake is not expected to play any part in Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States however, which may grant Josko Gvardiol a perfect opportunity to further embed himself deeper into the plans of Pep Guardiola for the new campaign.