Pep Guardiola Considered Unable to Improve Defensive Players Quality

DBasia.news – Pep Guardiola is recognized as one of the best coaches in the world. But the manager of Spanish national team was considered to unable to improve the quality of the defenders.

This was revealed by former Manchester City player, Sylvain Distin. He made John Stones as an example.

Stones performance is considered not having much progress since he was brought to the club in 2016. Even though the 25-year-old player was predicted as a future defender of the England national team when playing for Everton.

“It’s not that I don’t respect him, he’s a top coach. But will Guardiola make (Stones) better as a defender? I can’t see it,” Distin said as quoted by Sky Sports.

“He (Guardiola) can make players better. But for the defender? I don’t see that happening.”

According to Distin, the ball possession strategy Guardiola applied was the cause. The central defenders lost their instincts in defending.

“I am not sure Stones has a strong character when defending. As a modern defender he was extraordinary. When holding the ball, he was very confident,” he added.

What Distin said made sense. Guardiola prefers to choose players who can hold and pass the ball well.

The former Barcelona manager often even plays a midfielder as a central defender. Names like Javier Mascherano, Javi Martinez, until Fernandinho had felt it.