Take the ball, move the ball. It’s not only a philosophy for Pep Guardiola however a mantra and an obsession. These phrases spawned a movie about his years making Barcelona the best staff of the trendy period and fashioned the premise of the three groups he’s managed to win a raft of trophies with.
When Guardiola appears for a participant, it’s important they will take the ball and move it.
The significance of doing so was drilled into him by Johan Cruyff and whereas it took time to grasp the methodology – Michael Laudrup impishly used to name him ‘Pep Two Toes’ as he would typically take too many touches in coaching – he’s now the last word tutor, taking those that wish to be taught to new ranges.
It’s simple to see why, then, he needs Florian Wirtz. The dramatic and swift renovation of Manchester Metropolis, which began with an eyebrow elevating £185million splurge in January, will proceed at tempo this summer season and what an addition the younger Germany worldwide could be.
He’s bought the reward of enjoying soccer at his personal tempo, the type of midfielder who catches your eye with the best way his socks nestle midway up his calves like Jack Grealish and the languid method he can roll possession into speedy forwards like a crown inexperienced bowler making an attempt to softly displace a jack.
Little surprise he has grow to be certainly one of Europe’s most in-demand midfielders. He has flourished below Xabi Alonso, turning into a kingpin within the facet that made historical past final season with the primary invincible home marketing campaign within the Bundesliga.
Florian Wirtz has established himself as top-of-the-line attacking midfielders on this planet at Bayer Leverkusen
Pep Guardiola’s facet splurged £185million in January on new additions and they’re anticipated to proceed spending huge in the summertime
Wirtz has flourished below Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who additionally had a stint enjoying below Guardiola at Bayern Munich
On the night time they shook the foundations of the established order final February, routing Bayern Munich 3-0 on the BayArena, Wirtz was gloriously to the fore, shifting into these little pockets and creating mayhem – proper foot, left foot, a easy move or deft flick. Bayern couldn’t lay a glove on him.
Mail Sport as soon as watched a coaching session at Leverkusen, earlier than a Europa League group recreation towards Molde in December 2023, and Alonso has the identical grip over his squad as Guardiola, preaching to his gamers, standing in a semi-circle, about how retaining possession is the legislation.
Alonso had a stint enjoying below Guardiola and was fascinated by how he would map out his concepts.
‘To go on this path, we have to do that and this and this to get right here,’ Alonso defined. ‘Pep thinks about all these steps. However he doesn’t simply assume. He reveals us, to persuade us that’s going to be one of the best ways, from the tactical viewpoint, the motivational viewpoint. He thinks on each facet.’
Alonso’s dedication to drive Leverkusen ahead has captivated the gamers with whom he’s working, not least Wirtz. For his half, the 43-year-old is on a mission to take his younger protege to the very best attainable degree.
‘We wish to assist Florian Wirtz,’ mentioned Alonso, after he had sparkled in a 5-0 skewering of Pink Bull Salzburg final November. ‘We all know how totally different he’s; We’ve got to search out him on the proper moments. This competitors is for him. He’s a Champions League participant.’
Not simply that, he’s a participant for the most important moments, which is why it got here as an enormous shock on Saturday night when, within the remaining seconds of their newest conflict with Bayern, Wirtz missed a wonderful probability to blow the title race huge open, placing a shot huge with the purpose at his mercy in harm time.
Wirtz, one other a kind of jewels to develop at Leverkusen’s wonderful academy, goes to be a Champions League participant for a very long time however how lengthy will he keep at his hometown membership? If Guardiola has his want, it gained’t be past the tip of the present marketing campaign.
The 21-year-old has a €125million launch clause, coming into play in 2026, that means any deal to signal him this summer season would come at an excellent heftier value
However a notice of warning on this story: a value of £85million (€100million) has been mooted however privately in Leverkusen they’re incredulous that it’s being assumed they’ll do enterprise at that determine. If Metropolis need Wirtz, the financial institution goes to must be damaged.
Leverkusen have been in negotiations with Wirtz about getting him to signal an extension to his contract; his present phrases run till 2027 however the reigning champions imagine that he’ll decide to an additional 12 months.
A buyout clause of £104million (€125million), coming into play in 2026, has been mooted.
If he doesn’t wish to signal, Leverkusen could be reluctant sellers this summer season however solely on their phrases – and that might be for £125million (€150million). Guardiola, deep down, would recognise why they place such a price on one so particular, the younger man who makes taking the ball and passing the ball look really easy.
