New Manchester City signing Josko Gvardiol has praised team-mate Erling Haaland and has revealed that he is pleased that he no longer has to play against him.
Haaland scored a remarkable 52 goals in 53 games during his first season at City. That included five goals in one game against Gvardiol’s RB Leipzig in a 7-0 win for City in the Champions League.
Gvardiol, who has joined City for £78million, stated that Haaland has ‘everything to become one of the best in the world’.
Gvardiol told City’s official website: ‘We all know what he did last season and congratulations to Erling. It’s nice to have him on my side.
‘He’s a tough player, strong, fast, he has everything to become one of the best in the world. Luckily, I’m on his side now and I don’t have to take care of him anymore.’
Gvardiol did, however, managed to stop Haaland from scoring in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash and actually found the net himself.
Although Gvardiol is only 21 years old, the Croatia international has a lot of experience of playing at a high level and the defender should be an impressive addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Gvardiol has been given the No 24 shirt at City and is the second arrival at the Etihad Stadium this summer following the signing of his compatriot Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.
After starting out at Dinamo Zagreb, with whom he won two league titles, Gvardiol signed for Leipzig in 2021 and went on to win the German Cup on two occasions.
Having featured at Euro 2020, he was part of the Croatia side that finished in third place at the 2022 World Cup.
After winning the treble last season, City will be hoping to enjoy another successful campaign.
Guardiola’s side take on Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
Share or comment on this article: New £78m Manchester City signing Josko Gvardiol reveals he’s pleased he no longer has to play against Erling Haaland.
