PEP WANTS PERFECTION
No stone is left unturned as City boss ensures his champions are buzzing on and off the field
LOOMING large over Pep Guardiola’s main training pitch, a new addition has really captured the imagination of Manchester City’s players this summer.
It looks like a mini-warehouse, 21.75metres in length and 12.5 in width, costing a six-figure sum to build and the padel court inside is already proving a hit.
The introduction of this communal space — designed to play a sport that is a cross between tennis and squash — came from Guardiola’s assistant Mikel Arteta and is already prompting healthy competition among players and staff.
Padel — typically played in doubles — is hugely popular in Spain and Argentina, with small courts and backboards to play off, and is becoming the source of many a battle among the Premier League champions’ squad.
Arteta is thinking like Guardiola, coming up with fresh ideas to keep the players engaged and around the place long after training has finished. It is why they eat breakfast and lunch together and why City fans are able to enjoy so many social media videos from within the City football academy. They relish being there and this new idea is another incentive.
The players are encouraged to mingle with staff. Guardio la organised a club BBQ inside their downtown Miami base a few days before flying home from America and many of the squad remained chatting for some time.
Guardiola (above) places great importance on these activities and that team-bonding exercises have taken place immediately after big defeats is striking. For him, retaining the unity of last season, at the end of which they totalled a record 100 points, is almost as important as evolving tactically.
Guardiola is toying with playing a back three in certain games this season, a system in which new signing Riyad Mahrez ought to flourish. ‘Yes, we can do it,’ he said. ‘We have Mendy now and we’ll use him in different ways.’
The manager of the year, 47, has been relaxed in the build- up to today’s opener against Arsenal. More so than has been seen before. His demeanour is rubbing off on those around him and, frankly, at severe odds with Jose Mourinho’s dark moods across town.
Easier to be cheerful and chatty with trophies in the bag, sure. Guardiola is on a crest of a wave and he is refusing to come down. Those around the club who know him best were surprised at the zeal and intensity with which he treated the youngsters in America. He has been a whirlwind, eyes widening and hands fluttering while explaining tactical nuances to the kids. Short videos have come out, Eric Garcia and Lukas Nmecha t he t wo who grasped hi s message quickest. Guardiola sampled his new Manchester restaurant, Tast, last week and has the enthusiasm of a man who has lived a prolonged three-month high since lifting the title.
Some were expecting him to slow down but have ended up remarking that the boss is working harder than ever.
His drive and dedication have never been questioned, but it has gone up a couple of notches.
The Catalan has had to adapt. His trusted lieutenant, Domenec Torrent, has departed for sister club New York City after 11 years by Guardiola’s side. Arteta has effectively become his new No 2.
Sources say Arteta — who was sounded out for the Arsenal job — reminds them of Guardiola at Barcelona B in 2007. He has been described privately as ‘a third new signing’ after Mahrez and the returning Mendy.
Arteta can read the manager perfectly and pick his moments to chirp up about tweaks. He is a terrific communicator and runs training sessions alongside Lorenzo Buenaventura.
Arteta keeps training lively. Starting with rondos, no drill lasts longer than 10 minutes to retain concentration. One, a five- step move which involves the entire squad at the same time, hitting different check points from right and left, working angle sand heading towards goal, demands concise coaching. City are a blur of movement. In those moments Guardiola watches Arteta just as intently as his players, checking his progress. The City manager will very occasionally interject, walking up and down the 50-yard box that ends in a rotating player shooting at goal.
He offers quiet words to some, affectionate pats on the head for others. Arteta will introduce one of the 18 members of staff out on the grass to act as an opponent. ‘This is important,’ he says. ‘You have two options. Here is the opponent.’
Sprinklers will appear in between drills to retain zip of the grass and Arteta takes on prime responsibility during eight-a-side matches, barking orders from the touchline.
Guardiola roams as he deciphers what needs correcting.
He will stop the game, arms gesticulating and has been known to stand on one goalline, behind goalkeeper Ederson, to gain the perfect vantage point.
He believes all this is giving him the tools required to swat away their rivals again.