Josko Gvardiol Focuses on New Manchester City Era Under Enzo Maresca

After drawing a mental line under the “chaotic” end to his World Cup, Josko Gvardiol has turned his focus to the “fight” to be a key figure in Manchester City’s brand new Enzo Maresca-led era, a process the defender is beginning in “beautiful” Hong Kong this week.

Signed in 2023 shortly after Maresca left his Etihad Stadium coaching post to take over at Leicester City, Gvardiol will play under the Italian manager for the first time when the 10-time English champions face Inter Milan at Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who had a goal controversially chalked off in the dying seconds of Croatia’s 2-1 last-32 World Cup defeat by Portugal earlier this month, last week signed a new five-year City contract, a deal that was in the making before ex-Chelsea boss Maresca was handed the unenviable task of trying to follow Pep Guardiola’s outstanding decade-long body of work.

“Every time a new manager comes you need to fight for your position, and show yourself in the best light,” Gvardiol told the South China Morning Post.

“It’s going to be interesting, and something different. In training over the past three days we’ve been building from the back, so as a player who likes the ball at my feet, I really enjoy it. I’m ready to fight in a good way.”

The ongoing pre-season will accelerate Gvardiol’s return to peak health following a broken shinbone that sidelined him for most of the second half of last season.