Gvardiol back to his best at left-back as Man City chase seventh straight win

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol is returning to his best form at left-back after a serious injury disrupted last season. The Croatian has started six straight wins for City, conceding just twice in four Premier League games, and faces Sunderland at home on Sunday.

  • Fixture: Manchester City vs Sunderland, Sunday 14:00 BST
  • Competition: Premier League
  • Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester City home)
  • Form: City have won six straight games in all competitions
  • Defensive record: Just two goals conceded in four Premier League games
  • At stake: Maintain winning streak before Gvardiol joins Croatia for Nations League

Injury and availability

Gvardiol missed five months last season after a broken leg. He had told reporters in the summer it would take "at least a year before everything heals inside", but is understood to be pain free now and has returned to 100% match fitness.

He is available for Sunday's game and will then join Croatia for Uefa Nations League matches against England and Spain. City have no other injury concerns reported in the source.

The numbers

  • Transfer fee: £77m paid to RB Leipzig in 2023, making him the second most expensive defender of all time behind Harry Maguire
  • Duels won at Old Trafford: Nine of 11 (no player on the pitch managed more)
  • Tackles contested at Old Trafford: Four (a match-high of any City player)
  • Premier League ranking: Seventh most duels won this term; top 10 for most tackles made
  • Community Shield: City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in August
  • Season opener: Gvardiol scored an injury-time winner against Bournemouth and provided two assists

What was said

"Everyone has to fight for their position, no-one is secure"

— Josko Gvardiol on playing under Enzo Maresca

"Happy"

— Gvardiol on signing a new five-year deal at Etihad Stadium

"It would take at least a year before everything heals inside"

— Gvardiol on his broken leg, speaking in the summer

Gvardiol's comments about fighting for his place reflect the intense competition at City. Despite signing a new five-year deal, he accepts that no-one is guaranteed a start under Maresca. That mindset has helped him adapt to left-back, a position he has made his own.

His summer quote about the injury healing inside shows how serious the broken leg was. Now pain free, he is reaping the rewards of a full pre-season and consistent minutes.

Why Maresca trusts Gvardiol at left-back

With Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi forming a solid partnership in central defence, Enzo Maresca needed to find a place for Gvardiol. The Croatian has been deployed at left-back and is making the position his own. Sources close to the player describe him as a "soldier", accepting whichever position he is assigned and performing to the best of his ability for the team.

Gvardiol feels left-back is more physically demanding than centre-half, but enjoys the freedom to roam forward into goalscoring positions. That attacking threat has already produced an injury-time winner at Bournemouth and two assists, including Erling Haaland's controversial strike at Manchester United. His defensive numbers are equally impressive: at Old Trafford he kept Bryan Mbeumo in check, winning nine of 11 duels and contesting four tackles.

That form has pushed Rayan Ait-Nouri, signed from Wolves last summer, out of his natural position. The Algeria international has been used further up the pitch instead, while Nico O'Reilly, who filled in at left-back last season, is now on the bench and has been told he will get more opportunities in his favoured midfield role. Gvardiol's consistency gives Maresca a tactical flexibility that few squads can match.

Talking points

  • Has Gvardiol now overtaken Dias and Guehi as City's most important defender? His duel and tackle numbers suggest he is undroppable.
  • Maresca's decision to play Gvardiol at left-back has pushed Ait-Nouri out of position. Is that a waste of a £30m-plus signing?
  • City's only defeat this season came in the Community Shield against Arsenal. Does that 3-0 loss still matter, or have City already answered it?
  • With Croatia facing England and Spain, Gvardiol risks burnout. Should Maresca rest him against Sunderland?

What happens next

City host Sunderland at the Etihad on Sunday at 14:00 BST, aiming for a seventh straight win in all competitions. Maresca has described the game as their "toughest" so far. After that, Gvardiol joins Croatia for Nations League fixtures against England and Spain, hoping to put World Cup disappointment behind him.

Frequently asked questions

Is Josko Gvardiol playing for Man City vs Sunderland?

Yes, Gvardiol is expected to start at left-back after returning to full match fitness. He has been a key part of City's six-game winning run.

What injury did Gvardiol have?

Gvardiol missed five months last season after a broken leg. He is now pain free and back to 100% match fitness.

What time is Man City vs Sunderland kick-off?

The match kicks off at 14:00 BST on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.

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