Manchester City news: ‘Nico Gonzalez’s football IQ is priceless’

Pep Guardiola describes him as a ‘mini-Rodri’ but could Nico Gonzalez end up having a huge impact on what is left of Manchester City’s season?

The £50m midfielder’s impressive display on his Premier League debut against top-four rivals Newcastle brought the comparison from his beaming manager, and impressed former City defender Micah Richards who analysed Gonzalez on Match of the Day 2.

One of the re-occurring themes of City’s calamitous campaign is how often they have been cut open on the counter-attack since Rodri was injured in September.

It was different against Newcastle. City often stopped breakaways early in the opposition half, with Gonzalez seeing the threat early and expertly pouncing to snuff it out.

The Spaniard topped the rankings from both teams for the most touches [114] and passes [103], with a 97% success rate. His careful use of the ball helped give City the control of possession, which Pep Guardiola craves, but he was brave with his distribution too.

“There were times when Gonzalez took out three or four Newcastle players with one pass forward,” Richards explained. “He was just in the right position, recycling the ball and keeping things moving.

“That’s exactly what City have needed this season, because there have been too many games where they haven’t starved the opposition of the ball the way they would have in the past.

“I love how Gonzalez has got the personality to come to the Premier League and play like this, straight away, against a team renowned for their physicality and intensity in midfield.

“He also had the intelligence to know when to take a chance and when to just hold on to the ball. Having someone with that kind of football IQ in your team is priceless.”

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.