New Manchester City manager has heaped praise on Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho and even hinted that he may use him as a centre half next season. Guardiola famously turned Javier Mascherano into a defender during his stint at Barcelona and he suggested that he may have similar plans for Fernandinho.
“I think Fernandinho can play in ten positions,” he told a press conference on Wednesday. “He has the quality to play wherever. He could play at centre back. He’s a quick, fast player, so intelligent, aggressive and strong in the air.
“He has the quality to create good build-up. We think he can play there – maybe Fernando too but he’s not as quick. I like midfielders to play at centre back because they can play good passes.”
Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City are looking for some opponents to play in a behind closed doors friendly at their academy centre, after their planned pre-season fixture with Manchester United in Beijing was called off due to poor playing conditions.