Since joining Premier League champions Manchester City in the summer, defender Josko Gvardiol has quickly settled into the team under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola. Despite witnessing his former club RB Leipzig suffer a 0-7 defeat against City in the previous season’s Champions League, with Erling Haaland scoring five goals, Gvardiol has been impressed by his new teammates.

When asked about who surprised him the most, the 21-year-old player mentioned goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Rodri. Ederson, known for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities and distribution skills, has likely left a strong impression on Gvardiol with his performances in training and matches. Rodri, on the other hand, is a composed and intelligent midfielder who excels in controlling the tempo of the game and dictating play from deep positions.

Gvardiol’s choice of Ederson and Rodri as the most surprising players since his arrival at Manchester City highlights the quality and impact these two individuals have had on the team. Their contributions have undoubtedly caught the attention of the young defender and further reinforced the talent and depth within the squad.

“Ederson and Rodri. If we talk about Ederson, it’s because he is a goalkeeper but has exceptional ball-handling skills. And with Rodri, the reason is that he is always present everywhere, keeps possession, and his ball control is truly remarkable,” the Croatian defender shared.

Mateo Kovacic also agrees with this choice of Gvardiol.

Gvardiol had his first match for Man City against Sevilla in the UEFA Suρer Cup. He has made 9 appearances so far and was compared to the legendary Paolo Maldini by Gary Neville after the victory against Manchester United on Sunday. Despite being young, he has shown a mature, composed playing style and has a great understanding with Man City’s former defense. Currently, City is in third place in the Premier League, trailing the leaders Tottenham by 2 points.

This weekend, Man City will return to their home ground as they host AFC Bournemouth. The Cherries have been struggling since appointing new coach Andoni Iraola and currently sit in 17th place in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone.