YOU WON’T WALK INTO THE SIDE
£26m Danilo says that £52m Kyle will have to fight for his place in City’s golden defence
DANILO has warned new team-mate Kyle Walker that he faces a battle for the rightback slot at Manchester City.
Danilo, signed from Real Madrid for £26.5million, can play in a variety of positions, including right-back, leftback and holding midfield.
Such versatility is what led manager Pep Guardiola to move for the Brazil international, who admitted he turned down Chelsea to join City.
But Danilo insists he joined City to play at right-back, putting him directly up against £52m fellow new arrival Walker (above), who joined from Tottenham.
In an interview conducted entirely in Portuguese through an interpreter, Danilo spoke only two words of English when asked what he felt was his best position.
“Right-back” was Danilo’s emphatic reply, dismissing any notion he has come to City as a mere utility player to plug gaps in the team.
The 26-year-old, who made only 17 La Liga starts for Real last season, has come to City to establish himself as a regular, even though he knows the competition will be tough. “I see that this team is a great team, with great professionals and a great coach, so I expect it will be a very good challenge,” he said.
“I’m going to try my best to adapt as soon as possible. I see the potential in this side, so I shall do my best.
“All these big teams have very skilful players. Real Madrid had the best players, but I’m very motivated for this challenge.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision to choose City over Chelsea. The moment Pep called me, I knew what I had to do.
“It was very fast. I was training with Real Madrid, Pep called me and I was very motivated to make this change and start to work with him.” Real coach Zinedine Zidane tried to persuade him to stay at the Bernabeu. But Danilo, who won two Champions League titles and La Liga in Madrid, said he needed a new challenge.
“Yes, he did try to persuade me to stay, but I was sure I needed to change,” added Danilo. “I needed to find a place where I had more options. In all the teams I have played for, the objective has always been to be winners.
“And I have no doubt we can win the Champions League – that’s why I chose this team.”
DANILO was speaking at the launch of the City Football Group’s joint venture with Goals in the US and Canada.