Josko Gvardiol has contributed three assists in 10 Premier League games this season, a tally bettered by only four players in the division. The Manchester City defender has shown his value in attack, but his performances at the other end of the pitch have come under scrutiny.
The 24-year-old was poor in the recent defeat to Nottingham Forest, where he dallied on the ball and allowed the hosts to open the scoring in what was described as City's worst 45 minutes of the season. He also struggled in the loss to Brighton, with his decision-making questioned.
Injury Recovery and System Changes
Gvardiol came off at half-time with an injury issue at Forest but has been passed fit to join up with the Croatia squad and is expected to start against England at Wembley. The switch to international duty may offer a chance to reset, but he is still dealing with the effects of a serious injury suffered in January.
The former RB Leipzig player fractured his leg in the home draw with Chelsea and missed all but the final two matches of the season. He went to the World Cup with Croatia but is still playing with pain, having told the Manchester Evening News in the summer that it could be a year before he is fully free of injury.
Adapting to New Manager
His recovery, coupled with the change of manager at City and the need to adapt to Enzo Maresca's methods, goes some way to explaining why Gvardiol has struggled this season. City build up with a back three when in possession, meaning one of the full backs moves high to create an attacking overload, which relies on those defenders being comfortable on the ball to beat the press.
Gvardiol will hope the pain of recent performances and from his injury recedes in the coming weeks as City aim to keep their season on track.
