“I’m really pleased!” – Pep Guardiola glows with praise for Manchester City signing of Nico Gonzalez

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has glowed with praise when discussing the club’s signing of Nico Gonzalez for the central midfield positions earlier this week.

The Premier League champions made the 23-year-old Spaniard their final recruit of the January market by securing a deal with FC Porto around the £50 million mark, which is understood to be paid in stages.

In rounded off a hugely busy window for Manchester City as they brought in a total of four new names into Pep Guardiola’s squad, reflecting the severe situation that faced the club after a troubling first-half to the season.

At a cost of north of €200 million, Manchester City secured Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis for the centre of defence, while Omar Marmoush bolstered the attacking line, complimented by Gonzalez on the final day of the window.

Now, speaking during his first press conference since the closure of the January transfer window, Pep Guardiola was asked for his thoughts on Manchester City’s signing of Nico Gonzalez from FC Porto on deadline day.

“Really important! It’s a position that we were weak after the absence from Rodri. A young player, 23-years-old, can play number six and number eight, more in the pockets,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday afternoon.

The Catalan coach continued on his new number 14, “Physicality, he’s a strong young boy, I know him from the Barcelona academy and his father was working here. I’m really pleased from the effort of the club to bring him here for the next years!”

Gonzalez could make his Manchester City debut as soon as this weekend when the club travels to face Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, but Pep Guardiola has already warned of the trouble that the League One side could bring in the contest.

“Yeah of course [they will bring trouble],” the Manchester City boss said.

“Always we’ve had problems away in this competition, FA Cup or Carabao Cup, away to teams in the Championship or League One even League Two, always we struggle.

“But we are ready for the challenge. Every game is a new opportunity.”

The clash with Leyton Orient presents Manchester City with their first chance of redemption after a staggering 5-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal last Sunday, while it will also be followed by a Champions League last-16 play-off tie against Real Madrid this month.