Pep insists Laporte has the right mentality for his team
PEP Guardiola has said that a key to the success of Aymeric Laporte is that the City defender plays with just the right degree of arrogance.
The Blues boss has picked the France under-21s star to start every Premier League game so far this season – and he is expected to return to the team for the visit of Southampton tomorrow.
Laporte has benefited, at club level, from his continuing absence from the France squad – that meant he rested during the World Cup and has been getting breaks during the international fortnights.
But it has not just been about fitness. Laporte, who was a club record transfer £57million signing, has established himself as first pick for Guardiola this season. And the manager pinpointed aspects of his character which have helped him to that point.
“First of all his quality and his mentality, he’s a guy who wants to learn,” said Guardiola. “He has enough arrogance and that’s so important to play at a high level.
“He didn’t play the World Cup so he’s fresh. He’s not selected by France so he’s fresh again and he’s playing at a high level.
“We are so satisfied with what he’s shown so far.
“He’s strong, he’s not skinny or small, he needed some periods to adapt but not too much.
“More than 100 games playing against Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, that helps. It’s already his body, his mind.”