10 FOOTBALLERS TRANSFORMED BY PEP GUARDIOLA.

Pep Guardiola has transformed many footballers to be world class and more lethal than before. The Catalan is known for his brainstorming tactics which made him to be recognized worldwide.

In this article, you will know the top ten footballers who were transformed by the Catalan football wizard.

Once Pep said, “All the managers in the world, it doesn’t matter how good you are, if your players don’t understand what you are looking for or what you want   , it makes no sense.” 

 Guardiola is different from other football managers as he likes nurturing talents and equipping them with more skills to make them more developed. Since his time at the Barcelona Academy, Pep has shown light to footballers and made them thrive than they were  before. Here are the top 10 players transformed by Pep Guardiola.

10: Oleksandr Zhincheko.

Oleksandr Zhinchenko has been transformed by Pep Guardiola to become one of the most reliable fullbacks in Etihad stadium. Photo: Daily Mail. 

The Ukranian International youngster has developed more under Pep Guardiola. Zhinchenko joined Man City on 4^th July 2016 but was sent on loan to PSV and later returned to the Etihad stadium on June 2017. Primarily, Zhinchenko was a defensive midfielder but Pep transformed him to the Left Back position.

Oleksandr Zhinchenko has adapted to the position though at times he used to play as an inverted midfielder.He won the heart of Pep Guardiola due to his speed and nerve-cracking passes. You can also read Oleksandr Zhincheko player analysis here.

9. Joshua Kimmich.

Pep Guardiola's affection with young player will never end. Joshua Kimmich is one of the talented youngster currently playing for Bayern Munich. He was transformed by Pep from a CB to one of the best young midfielders currently. Image: 90Min.

The German International was once a Centre-Back but Pep Guardiola has transformed him into one of the most trusted  Central Midfielders by the Bavarian side.

”It’s the trademark of a good coach that he’s never satisfied and he always tries to improve you. He always wants to get the maximum out of you. After the match, he told me a few things I should have done better.” Kimmich told the Bavarian Football Work.

Because of Pep, Joshua Kimmich was called to the national team because he was more composed with the ball and seems to be more relaxed. His first time to play in the midfield us always lingering in his mind. He didn’t know that it would become his permanent position.

8. John Stones.

The Englishman has been transformed by Pep Guardiola in Man City. Despite of displaying his abilities with Everton, Pep made sure he is a world-class defender. He won Gareth Southgates’ heart by wearing the England shirt.

John Stones has really improved firstly, his confidence with the ball. His performance has stood in  the Man City's 'Centurion' season and his name was in Gareth Southgates England team list. Image: Bleacher Report.

Currently, John Stones is having a tough spell due to his fight with injuries every now and then. He is the first defender to average over 80% passing accuracy in a single season during this decade. Stones looks more relaxed with or without the ball unlike his spell at Everton.

7. Pedro Rodriguez.

Pedro Rodriguez graduated from La Masia to Barcelona B team and Pep picked him from there. He represented Spain National team during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Image: Daily Star. 

Being a product of La Masia; the famous Barcelona academy, Pedro impressed Pep Guardiola and earned a promotion to the Barcelona team in 2009.

Pedro is widely known as a fast-paced and double-footed attacker who is always hungry for goals.

With the help of Pep Guardiola between 2008-2012, Pep became the first player to score in 6 different competitions in a single calendar year and helped his Barcelona side to win the La Liga with 99 points. After Pep Guardiola’s departure in 2012, his form dropped both at Chelsea and Barcelona.

6. Kingsley Coman.

It's like Pep Guardiola's love story with young footballers would never end. He revived Kingsley Coman's career after he was considered a failure in Juventus. Image:Sports Star- The Hindu. 

The French International attacker has praised the Spaniard because he trusted him and revived his locked potential when he was at Juventus.

”I have to thank FC Bayern Munich and the Coach (Pep Guardiola) for I didn’t know that I’d be playing for the France seniors so soon without the faith they showed me.” He told Bundesliga.

The French winger has been a vital player for the Bayern Munich side especially attacking wise. His career at Juventus seemed to come to an end after failing to establish himself in Turin.

He joined The Old Lady in 2014 and played with fellow countryman, Paul Pogba. He left the club for Bayern Munich on loan on August 2015 and thanks to Pep who made him realise his potential.

5. Thiago Alcantara.

Thiago Alcantara has thrived under Pep Guardiola. After Pep Left for Bayern Munich, Thiago followed him there! Image: Daily Mail. 

Many people confuse Tiago to the Xavi, the midfield Maestro who made the whole world to love him due to his intelligence with the ball. He was with Pep in Barcelona until when Pep left for Bayern Munich. Surprisingly, Tiago reunited with his master to the German capital of Munich.

It is somehow easy to confuse Xavi to Tiago. They possess the same characteristics and composure on the ball. Football analysts have named him, ‘Xavi’s Clone.’ Thanks to Pep for developing Alcantara. Arguably, he is among the best Central Midfielders currently.

4. Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgium International once played for the Germany side, Wolfsburg scooping the German Footballer of the year in 2015 and propelling his side to finish second in the Bundesliga table. His time in Germany was incredible and he was on his way to top class midfielder.

Kevin De Bruyne taking instructions from Pep Guardiola. Image: The Telegraph. 

When he signed for Manchester City in 2016, Pep transformed him into one of the best midfielders in the world. Guardiola made him a world class Attacking Midfielder with his mind-blowing assists. He has improved a lot on his vision, passing accuracy and composure on the ball.

3. Raheem Sterling.

Guardiola has transformed Sterling into a match winner and dangerous attacker in the Premier League. Photo: M. E. N. 

During his 2014/15 season with Liverpool, Raheem Sterling contributed to 15 goals while playing in the wide area.

He joined the Citizens in 2015 and his first season wasn’t that appealing. When Pep Guardiola took over City, the Englishman improved and to the surprise of many, he even won the PFA award!

The new Sterling is explosive when deployed on the left wing. Quick with the ball, ability to find spaces, reading the game and he exactly knows when and where to attack. With all these, thanks to Pep Guardiola!

2. Jerome Boateng.

Pep transformed Jerome Boateng from a failure at Man City to Bayern Munich leader both in and out of the pitch. 

“He (Pep) had a very big impact on me; one of the biggest in my career, especially with the ball. I am now more comfortable and confident to open and start the game.” Boateng told Newsweek.

He was once a Left Back at Manchester City but did not make his way to be a regular starter.

His career seemed to end until he signed for Bayern Munich. On Pep’s arrival, Boateng became more composed with the ball and an important player for the Bayern Munich team! Currently, arguably he is one of the best Centre Backs in the world.

1. Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi was transformed from a cheeky Left Winger into a deadly forward and collecting nunerous awards including 5 Ballon D'Ors. Photo: Bleacher Report. 

Frank Rjkaard sold Ronaldinho to create a room for Lionel Messi. He used to play him on the wide areas until Pep Guardiola took over the team in 2008. Pep played him in a the Centre Forward position know as ‘False Nine’.

It is through this role that Messi is considered to be one of the greatest player of all time due to his ability to score and simultaneously contributing goals for his team. The Argentine is now more dangerous and lethal under Guardiola than before and even bagging in six Ballon D'Or trophies!