It’s safe to say that Manchester City have signed quite a unique defender in Josko Gvardiol.

Not many natural centre-backs can stake a claim for arguably being the best left-back in the world.

However, Gvardiol has made the position his own since signing for City in the summer of 2023.

The Manchester City defender has started every game for his side in the Premier League at left-back so far.

The Croatian started 26 league games in his debut season as well.

Initially, the former RB Leipzig colossus made a few errors.

Guardiola reveals the unique strength Gvardiol has

Gvardiol got bypassed in certain one-v-one situations, with Leon Bailey and David Datro Fofana getting on the scoresheet after bursting past him.

However, the adaptation from centre-back to left-back can never be a straightforward process for any centre-back.

Eventually, the Premier League champion smoothened the edges around his game and became one of his side’s most reliable performers.

Since the start of last season, Gvardiol has outscored Gabriel Jesus in the Premier League — scoring five goals in comparison to the Arsenal striker’s tally of four.

The versatile defender surpassed Jesus’ tally after he opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in their 1-1 draw against Newcastle United.

Troy Deeney praised Gvardiol’s showing as “outstanding” and claimed that he scored a “lovely goal.”

Pep Guardiola has stated that the £200,000-a-week man has a unique eye for goal, considering he is a defender.

Guardiola told TNT Sports: “Definitely. So many times, when we arrive in the final third and all the team is there and everybody’s allowed to score a goal. And there are some defenders who have a sense of goal, don’t tell me why.”

“John [Stones] and Josko [Gvardiol] have this sense.”

Josko Gvardiol could set himself apart from other defenders in this sense

Gvardiol could set himself apart from other defenders if he continues to chip in with goals.

Gabriel Magalhaes has etched his reputation as the most dangerous aerial threat in world football — giving Arsenal such an advantage from set-pieces.

The 22-year-old has only scored one header from a corner during his time at the Etihad Stadium, which emerged during Manchester City’s 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest last season.

Gvardiol seems to find himself in areas in and around the box and actually exploit being in such areas of the pitch by scoring goals.

The highly-rated defender could become an even bigger asset for City if he ups his goalscoring numbers.

As Pep Guardiola stated, Gvardiol has unique goalscoring instincts and he should continually work on this side of his game.

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