The future of Nico Gonzalez suddenly became the focus of attention this summer. This is the rookie that Man City has brought in January for £ 50 million and was considered by Pep Guardiola to be “new Rodri”. However, so far, that expectation is like a headache.
Nico came to Etihad from Porto in the last week of the January transfer.
Immediately, Nico showed who he was. He made a strong impression in the first weeks of his career at Man City in the applause of the coach. He had a great performance in the resounding 4-0 victory in the Premier League against Newcastle, causing Guardiola to compare.
It was thought that, in the end, Man City also earned a backup factor for Rodri at that time. But over time, that applause gradually faded away, and it was clear that the 23 -year -old boy lost the support of Guardiola himself, who praised him first.
Increasingly, Nico sits more and more by Guardiola to use more experienced players in the squad. Nico only played one of the last 7 matches in all competitions, in the 38th round against Fulham. Everything has not changed at FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Nico disappeared completely after 60 minutes of playing with Al Ain Club and was criticized by the coach for a slow gameplay. Rodri returned in the match against Juventus while rookie Tijjani Reijnders was favored by Guardiola for increasing competition for positions in midfield.
Signing a contract with Reijnders seems to signal that Nico's future is likely to be on the bench. Even at this time, this Spanish midfielder is facing questions about whether it can leave this summer.
This increases the disorder of Man City's squad before the new season. Guardiola wants to streamline the team, especially in the center of the midfield. Obviously, Nico cannot be satisfied with everything that is happening.
Man City has been patient with a lot of rookies, giving them time to adapt and get used to their tournaments and positions before earning the best people. The problem for Nico is that he could not show that he was the best role, as well as in the position that the team needed him the most (Ridro), he was faint.
Rodri and Reijnders are likely to be the first pair of midfielders of Guardiola and Nico who were unable to squeeze in priority. His problem is the veteran faces in midfield like Bernardo Silva, Gundogan or Kovacic still gain the trust of Guardiola.
If Reijnders is a reasonable successor to Ilkay Gundogan, then Nico is probably more suitable for replacing Bernardo Silva. Unfortunately, Silva will still stay this season as the captain, so it is not likely to be replaced early, not to mention they also need to consider Mateo Kovacic.
Only Rodri, the location that Nico is not really suitable for the truth but may have to play there if Rodri does not play. That can cause Nico to fall down quite far in the priority order. In addition, Guardiola is trying to streamline a special team in the midfield.
Even when taking into account Phillips, Mcatee and Jack Grealish will leave, the central midfielder is still very cramped. Man City will probably deceive Gundogan from the squad because he is old but the filler will be Reijnders as mentioned above, not Nico.
At that time, it is best for them to remove this midfielder as soon as possible. At least Nico's reputation and value have not been reduced sharply, but if he let him sit without another season, that will happen.
