• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Pep Guardiola aims subtle dig at Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo after Man City win Premier League title

Home> Football

Published 09:48 22 May 2023 GMT+1

Pep Guardiola aims subtle dig at Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo after Man City win Premier League title

It's a subtle dig.

Chris Byfield

Chris Byfield

Pep Guardiola directed a subtle dig at Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko and Bayern Munich loanee Joao Cancelo during Manchester City’s title celebrations.

Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday confirmed City’s status as Premier League champions for the third time in succession.

The Gunners had been in a commanding position in the title race for the majority of the season, only to hand the advantage to City in April by going four games without a win.

Advert

Indeed, the Cityzens secured their fifth league title in six years under Guardiola, while they are on course for a historic campaign, having also booked their place in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

This term, Grealish has finally come to the fore in a City shirt, having increased his attacking and defensive output, particularly since returning from the World Cup

Elsewhere, Nathan Ake produced his best campaign since a £41million switch from Bournemouth in 2020.

And during City’s coronation on Sunday, Guardiola singled Ake for his performances at right-back throughout the season.

Guardiola’s subtle Zinchenko and Cancelo dig

In praising Ake, Guardiola appeared to be taking a dig at Zinchenko and Cancelo’s defensive frailties.

Zinchenko left City for Arsenal last summer after seven years at City playing predominantly as a left-back. Meanwhile, Cancelo, who was central to City’s success last term, abruptly left the club on loan in January, and will likely be sold in the summer.

Advert

On Ake’s form, Guardiola said: "He has been fundamental.

“I learned this season when you play against [Bukayo] Saka, Vinicius [Junior], [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Mohamed] Salah or [Sadio] Mane in the past, you need a proper defender to win duels one v one.

“Or, in the Champions League, at that level, they need one action to beat you and Nathan gave us that boost that I didn't have in the past.

“The biggest boost was having a proper defender and in the past, we didn't have it and Nathan, [Manuel] Akanji and [Kyle] Walker did it."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Premier League, Joao Cancelo, Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Nathan Ake, Arsenal

Chris Byfield
Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Liverpool fans slam Trent Alexander-Arnold's brother after talented wonderkid rejects new deal to sign for Premier League rival

    Trent Alexander-Arnold may have left Liverpool but the club's supporters are still furious with his brother and agent.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Roy Keane was challenged to fight by former Premier League manager who claimed Man Utd legend 'is not as tough as he makes out'

    Roy Keane is considered one of football's last hardmen

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Viktor Gyokeres 'splits from model girlfriend' to 'remove all ties to Portugal' after she makes feelings clear on preferred transfer decision

    The reason behind Viktor Gyokeres ending his relationship with Ines Aguiar has been revealed.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Lamine Yamal received offer to leave Barcelona in transfer that would have changed football history but Xavi blocked it happening

    The Spain and Barcelona winger recently penned a new deal at the La Liga champions, but things could've played out differently.

    Football
  • Joao Cancelo reveals true feelings on life in Saudi Pro League three months after shock Man City transfer
  • Pep Guardiola aims new dig at critics over Man City's 115 charges and reveals how he feels 'deep in his heart'
  • Pep Guardiola aims savage dig at Ronald Koeman after revealing how long Nathan Ake will miss for Man City
  • Pep Guardiola leaves reporters gobsmacked with claim about this Premier League season