Excited Pep Guardiola thinks new partnership can save Man City millions

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about his new defensive partnership after their 2-0 win at Everton

Pep Guardiola does not expect Manchester City to buy a centre-back in the summer transfer window as Josko Gvardiol becomes an option there for next season. Gvardiol was signed in that position two years ago but has almost always played on the left before moving inside in recent weeks.

Gvardiol, 23, told the Manchester Evening News recently about how much more comfortable he feels playing in the middle, and that has shown in the four-and-a-half games he has spent there alongside Ruben Dias. During that time, they have only conceded two goals and they came in the same game.

That solidity at the back has helped bring about a stable platform for City to build on, and they are currently in their best run of form since January as they prepare to take on an Aston Villa team who are fighting with them for the final Champions League spots for next season.

Guardiola still expects to use his Croatian on the left but has been encouraged by the early stages of a partnership with Dias that has shown a lot of potential.

Despite the many injury issues they have faced at the back this season, Gvardiol's move has helped to confirm to the manager that they will not need to bring anybody else in for that position.

Asked if he could be an option in the middle for next season, Guardiola replied: "Yeah. I like him, especially with the build-up with the left.

"He's fast, so fast, going behind. I think Ruben and him as a person, they are so generous, so they talk a lot, especially Ruben, and I think they are doing a really, really good partnership, so he's an option.

"We'll see if we buy, I don't think we're going to or that the club needs centre defenders, because we have a lot, and we bought two young ones in winter, but we'll see.

"The important thing is to have a player who can play there, and can play in left back, and that is so important for us."

Manu Akanji returned from injury at Goodison Park, coming off the bench in the final few minutes in what was his first appearance since early February. Nathan Ake and John Stones remain sidelined.

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