Mueez Ajao
– Manchester City will sign Spanish defender Sergio Gomez from Belgian club Anderlecht, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday as the Premier League champions look to address their lack of depth in the left-back position.
– After Ukraine international Oleksander Zinchenko moved to Arsenal, City began their title defence with Joao Cancelo as their only senior left-back.
– Midfielder-turned-left back Gomez, 21, will compete for a place in the first team, Guardiola told his Friday news conference, after impressing at Anderlecht under former City captain Vincent Kompany last season.
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– “He’s a talented young player from the Barcelona academy, went to Borussia Dortmund but didn’t have many minutes and in the last year was given a chance by Kompany,” Guardiola said. “He played well, we targeted him to bring him here.”
Pep Guardiola on Sergio Gomez: "A young player, in the World Cup years ago the best player was @PhilFoden and he was the second best player. He played in Spain U21, young talent for Barcelona, went to [Borussia] Dortmund, played in good hands under [Vincent] Kompany…"
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 12, 2022
Sergio Gomez will be a part of the #ManCity first-team squad this season, it has now been confirmed. 🇪🇸☑️https://t.co/tnSJrOGU5u
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 12, 2022
– Gomez played 30 times for Anderlecht since joining them in June 2021. He has also represented Spain at youth level, including at the Under-17 World Cup in 2017 where they lost to England in the final.
– British media reported City and Anderlecht had agreed a deal worth an initial £11 million ($13.33m) for Gomez.
– “He’s an exceptional player,” Guardiola added. “He’s going to stay with us, alongside Joao.”
Pep Guardiola confirms that Sergio Gómez will be Manchester City left back: “He's one for now, Sergio will be part of the first team”. 🚨🔵 #MCFC
“He's going to stay with our squad and he will be with Joao Cancelo”.
Here we go confirmed. ✅ pic.twitter.com/3Vox0vasG8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2022
– Guardiola said new signing Kalvin Phillips, who made his Premier League debut as a substitute in last week’s win over West Ham, will not feature in Saturday’s home game against Bournemouth due to injury.
– “Kalvin has some niggles and won’t be able [to play],” Guardiola said, adding that young midfielder Cole Palmer is also a doubt after suffering a knock on his foot.
– Newly promoted Bournemouth began their season with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and Guardiola heaped praise on Scott Parker’s side, who secured a Premier League spot after finishing as runners-up in the second-tier Championship.
– “I have a lot of respect for Scott Parker, the patterns are so clear,” Guardiola said. “They make quite a good press, they are progressive… Like all teams in the Championship, they have good set pieces.
– “It’s so tricky [to face promoted teams early]. The first few games they are so dangerous. They don’t feel the pressure, they still feel good from the previous season, they have nothing to lose.”
