Pep Guardiola is delighted by Manchester City's improvement in dead ball situations but wants his team to be even better.
21.01.2022 - 17:43 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Pep Guardiola is braced for Manchester City to come up against the world specialist in set-pieces when they take on Southampton.
The Blues have worked hard to improve their performances this season from dead balls, with new first-team coach Carlos Vicens tasked with focusing on those situations after Nicolas Jover departed for Arsenal. And the results have been impressive, with only Liverpool (11) scoring more than the leaders (9) from set-pieces and no side has conceded fewer than them (1) so far in the league.
However, Guardiola knows not only that James Ward-Prowse is excellent from free-kicks and corners - he has enthused and worried about the player before - but that he is also in form. The 27-year-old has four goals from his last five games as Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have moved up the table in recent weeks.
As well as acknowledging the midfielder's overall quality, Guardiola does not think there is a better player in the game at the minute for dead ball situations as the Blues look to make it 13 straight Premier League wins at St Mary's and go into their winter break on a high.
"He’s the best taker right now worldwide," he said.
"There isn’t a better taker than Ward-Prowse. He’s so good at it that maybe you miss his quality as a player as well. He is a guy who adapts in midfield positions, a team player who has great quality with or without the ball.
"At freekicks, corners he is exceptional."
Pep Guardiola is delighted by Manchester City's improvement in dead ball situations but wants his team to be even better.
Pep Guardiola says Gabriel Jesus is “the best in the world” at defending from the front.
Pep Guardiola said he was upset by a video showing three of his stars on a Manchester night out - because he was not invited!
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger wants £225,000-a-week to stay at Stamford Bridge amid transfer interest from Manchester City - according to reports.
Manchester City will face Peterborough United in the fifth-round of the FA Cup at the Weston Homes Stadium, it has been confirmed.
Southampton have been handed a huge selection boost ahead of their Premier League game against Manchester United on February 12.
Pep Guardiola took the blame for Manchester City's early struggles against Fulham before running out comfortable winners in their FA Cup tie.
Pep Guardiola says January signing Julian Alvarez is good enough to join the Manchester City squad this month, but the club decided he would be better remaining at River Plate on loan.
Manchester City have a full squad from which to choose for tomorrow's FA Cup tie against Fulham - apart from Gabriel Jesus and Cole Palmer.
Philippe Sandler felt he had to leave Manchester City in order to finally get some regular football after a frustrating period with injuries.
Manchester City have been handed a huge boost in their chase of Erling Haaland, with reports in Spain suggesting the striker isn’t a priority for Real Madrid.
With the January transfer window now closed, the focus for all Premier League clubs is now solely on the rest of the season.
Arsenal have reportedly expressed interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already highlighted the Brazilian's qualities.
Finley Burns is set to become the third young Manchester City central defender to go out on loan this season.
Manchester City are 'on the brink' of completing the signing of highly-rated Hungarian forward Zalan Vancsa.
Tony Mowbray has admitted that he wants to face Manchester City's Pep Guardiola to show that you do not need a 'sexy foreign manager' to be successful.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reflected on his Manchester City side's performances so far this season.
Manchester City are edging closer to signing Argentina striker Julian Alvarez from River Plate - but they also have one eye on the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola said the 'exceptional' Jack Grealish had his best ever game for Manchester City in their 1-1 draw with Southampton.