Revealed: Pep Guardiola's teaching Mateo Kovacic to become another Rodri at Manchester City

Kovacic has returned to Premier League champions Manchester City with a fresh attitude and eagerness to meet manager Pep Guardiola's standards. According toThe Daily Mail, the Croatian midfielder has been instructed by his head coach to study videos in the hope of improving his defensive game. Doing so would allow him to act as cover for Rodri when the Euro 2024 winner needs a rest.

Speaking on his potential new role in Manchester, Kovacic said: "The positioning - to stay, to cover, to not get caught up with the ball - is a thing I have to improve. What is asked of the No.6 is to hold the position, to stay there and to not get too much involved in going everywhere, which is sometimes difficult for a guy that is used to going.

"The manager obviously explains and we are watching on video so we know what we have to do. I like when I have support because I haven't played so much there on my own. I think it's more difficult because you have to cover the space better because you're on your own, you're not in a two."

When Kovacic joined Manchester City in the summer of 2023, the deal was questioned by rival fans, but the Champions League winner has been an important cog in Guardiola's ever-improving machine. He has served as more of an attacking midfielder in his first 12 months at the Etihad, but if he can round his game to contribute defensively, it will further increase his value to the champions.

City are going for their fifth consecutive Premier League crown and will need to squeeze every bit out of their squad if they are to fend off contenders Arsenal. Kovacic made 46 appearances in all competitions last term but may have even more work to do in 2024-25 if Guardiola is planning on resting Rodri a bit more.