Pep Guardiola has been preparing vehemently for the 2023-2024 season. Of course, Joško Gvardiol stats were flawless throughout the last campaign in all competitions.
Amazingly, Manchester City have reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign Joško Gvardiol. The Citizens don’t want to settle for less in Europe’s top-5 leagues.
The 21-year-old Croatian centre-back is expected to join the Citizens for a fee of around €120 million. As a result, he’s most likely to become the most expensive CB in the Premier League.
Interestingly, Joško Gvardiol has reportedly completed the first part of his medical as Manchester City’s player. Apparently, he would soon move to England.
The Croatian youngster has already started following some of Manchester City’s players on Instagram. Which means he’s expected to join the Citizens as soon as possible.
At least he’s now following Rúben Dias and John Stones on Instagram. The 21-year-old centre-back is already looking forward to joining Pep Guardiola’s men.
Gvardiol would sign a 5-year contract with Manchester City, with an option for a further year. He will stay at the club until June 2028, playing in the Premier League.
Manchester City centre-back options for next season
- Joško Gvardiol
- Aymeric Laporte
- Ruben Dias
- John Stones
- Manuel Akanji
- Kyle Walker
- Nathan Aké
Frankly, the 22-year-old Crotian gives the Citizens enough legs at the back. Pep Guardiola is most likely to go far in all competitions next campaign.
Of course, many European clubs are hell-bent on signing Joško, after his display in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, he’s now a Manchester City player.
Initially, Pep Guardiola’s first choice was Levi Colwill of Chelsea. Meanwhile, the West London club were hell-bent on keeping the young centre-back.
At the same time, Joško Gvardiol preferred to join Chelsea or Liverpool. Nevertheless, he has already agreed a deal with Manchester City.
Joško Gvardiol’s stats at 2022 FIFA World Cup
7 games
1 goal
67 passes per 90
90% pass accuracy
1.2 tackles per 90
1.4 interceptions per 90
4.8 clearances per 90
5 blocked shots
51% total duels won
The 21-year-old Croatian centre-back is ridiculously good. He has the ability to balance Manchester City’s defensive performance next campaign.
However, it’s wise enough to compare Joško Gvardiol with Levi Colwill. At least, they are both left center-backs and have many things in common.
Chelsea are so blessed to have Levi Colwill as their academy player. The Englishman is balanced and composed defensively, having seen his statistics.
The Premier League will have the two best young centre-backs next season. Therefore, it’s good to compare them with each other.
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill spent last season in the league at Brighton Albion. As a result, he’s literally more EPL proven than the Croatian centre-back.
Levi Colwill stats at Euro U-21:
5 games
450 minutes
340 passes
91% pass accuracy
5 tackles
7 interceptions
6 blocked shots
22 clearances
15/18 aerial duels won
71% of all duels won
The Englishman has already learned how to navigate himself in the Premier League. Therefore, he’s most unlikely to struggle at Chelsea next campaign.
Regardless, it’s wise to compare their statistics with each other, particularly defensively. Frankly, they are both talented, brilliant, and reliable centre-backs.
Joško Gvardiol strengths
- Tackling
- Intercepting
- Athleticism
- Anticipation
- Aerial duels
- Positioning
- Pace
- Passing
- Bravery
Joško Gvardiol style of play
The 21-year-old Croatian is a modern type of centre-back, very complete and dominant at the back. He likes to control the defense line, regardless of the competition.
Gvardiol likes to play in a 3-at-the-back formation. Because it allows him to spread out as a centre-back, controlling the back.
Just like Thiago Silva of Chelsea. The Croatia international loves to make diagonal passes. His passing prowess is on a different level as a defender.
At the same time, Joško is such a tenacious and accurate tackler. He doesn’t miss the ball, giving him the advantage to control the attacker’s threats.
The young centre-back plays with ease under pressure. He usually makes use of his passing prowess, dictating the team’s tempo.
Gvardiol usually feels comfortable and has a good composure on the ball. That literally makes him similar to Levi Colwill of Chelsea.
Levi Colwill strengths
- Pace
- Tackling
- Marking
- Positioning
- Anticipation
- Aerial duels
- Athleticism
- Technique
- Bravery
- Passing
Levi Colwill style of play
The 19-year-old Englishman is also a complete and dominant centre-back. As a result, he has the ability to single-handedly control the defense line.
Just like Joško Gvardiol, Levi Colwill also likes to play in a 3-at-the-back formation. At the same time, he can play as a left-back if needed.
The English youngster prefers an active style of defending. Which he he likes to get into challenges and pressing opponents.
Amazingly, Levi loves to make passes, particularly line-breaking passes as a centre-back. Of course, it shows why many EPL clubs are interested in him.
Colwill has the ability to set up the team’s attack with his passes. And he likes to move forward, carrying the ball forward, making progressive passes.
The Englishman actually has many things in common with the Croatian centre-back. He’s also a tenacious and accurate tackler, having seen his displays.
Joško Gvardiol’s stats vs Levi Colwill
At the age of 20, the Englishman has already started making waves in the Premier League. Of course, it’s going to be an interesting comparison next season.
Levi Colwill won 71% of aerial duels in the Premier League last season. Also, he won 65% of total duels in the league at Brighton Albion.
At the same time, he dazzled impressively at U-21 UEFA Euro. Colwill won 83% of aerial duels in the tournament, with 71% of total duels won.
Levi Colwill | Statistics | Joško Gvardiol |
17 | Games played | 30 |
0 | Goals | 1 |
0.5 | Shots | 0.5 |
3 | Big chances missed | 1 |
2 | Assists | 0 |
75.5 | Touches | 80.7 |
0.4 | Key passes | 0.4 |
59.8 (89%) | Pass accuracy | 63.6 (89%) |
2.6 (56%) | Accurate long balls | 4.8 (60%) |
3 | Clean sheets | 5 |
0.9 | Interceptions | 1.1 |
0.5 | Tackles | 0.8 |
2.2 | Clearances | 2.3 |
0.1 | Possession won | 0.1 |
0.1 (100%) | Dribbles success | 0.5 (89%) |
1.1 (53%) | Ground duels won | 1.8 (57%) |
2.6 (71%) | Aerial duels won | 1.4 (56%) |
3.8 (56%) | Total duels won | 3.2 (56%) |
8.8 | Possession lost | 8.8 |
0.5 | Fouls committed | 0.7 |