Pep Guardiola lauds ‘quality’ Maximo Perrone after Manchester City debut

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Pep Guardiola has lauded Maximo Perrone after the Manchester City midfielder’s debut for the club on the weekend, with the youngster snubbing Newcastle United in January for the Etihad side.

Speaking to the press, the four-time Premier League-winning manager waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old’s cameo against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, with Perrone making his first appearance in English football having arrived from Velez Sarsfield last month.

Guardiola said about Perrone’s debut: “Wow, he moves well. The individual quality is really there. He’ll grow up with us, for the rhythm, for the physicality. But sometimes what we’re looking for in players who play in small spaces, he’s really, really good.”

Things could have been a lot different had City not acted in the manner that they did, though, with Diario Popular reporting that Newcastle were heavily interested in Perrone before the midfielder ultimately decided to sign for the Manchester giants rather than for Eddie Howe’s side.

Indeed, with Guardiola already impressed with what he has seen from Perrone on his City debut, the midfielder could be set for more appearances in the coming months in what will be a crucial time for the reigning English champions.

With City looking to win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, quality squad depth will be key for Guardiola’s side, and the Catalan manager being impressed with Perrone so quickly is an encouraging sign of things to come for the Argentine.

City could have a diamond on their hands after Perrone debut

Few City fans would have expected Perrone to make his debut this season having just arrived from Argentina. However, the midfielder has clearly impressed in the short amount of time the youngster has spent in England, and Guardiola could have a potential superstar on his hands.

With Julian Alvarez also flourishing with City having made the move from Argentina to the Premier League, Perrone is at the right club if he is to take his career to the next level, and Guardiola’s praise for the midfielder will be encouraging for the 20-year-old.