Alvaro Negredo Reveals Two Manchester City Stars He Would Have Loved to Play With
Former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo has revealed which current City players he would have liked to share the pitch with during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Reflections on Modern Manchester City
Negredo spent one season at City under Manuel Pellegrini, featuring in a high-powered attacking unit alongside the likes of Sergio Agüero, David Silva, and Yaya Touré. Looking back, the former Spain international has expressed admiration for how Pep Guardiola’s current squad operates, particularly with its focus on ball control, positional play, and attacking intelligence.
Speaking exclusively to City Xtra via BetVictor Casino, Negredo named Phil Foden as one of the players he would have loved to play alongside. “I like playing with the best, like Phil Foden, who is a player who has a good vision of the game, can score outside the area, and has a good cross,” he said.
Partnering with Erling Haaland
Negredo also highlighted Erling Haaland as the other teammate he would have chosen, stating: “As I have liked to play with two forwards, I would think about playing with Erling Haaland. I think that between the two of us we would understand each other well, and I think we would enjoy it too.”
He compared the style of his era to today’s Manchester City: “The style of Man City right now is about ball possession, to reach opponents, with a low block but with very good ball counter-attack. I think ours was a bit more trying to play with more offensive players… The game is very open but with a lot of quality in the offensive areas, which we had a lot during that season.”
Legacy and Hypotheticals
Negredo’s reflections offer a unique glimpse into how players from different periods might have combined at Manchester City. The idea of him linking up with Foden’s creativity or Haaland’s finishing prowess provides an enticing “what if” scenario for fans, while highlighting the evolution of attacking play under Guardiola compared to Pellegrini’s title-winning team in 2013/14.
Conclusion
Alvaro Negredo’s comments underline the blend of talent across Manchester City’s history and the potential synergy between different eras. His admiration for Phil Foden and Erling Haaland emphasizes how even a striker from a previous generation could envision thriving in the modern City system.
FAQ
Q: Which current Manchester City players did Negredo want to play with?
A: Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.
Q: When did Negredo play for Manchester City?
A: He spent one season at the club under Manuel Pellegrini in 2013/14.
Q: How does Negredo compare Pellegrini’s City to Guardiola’s team?
A: He noted Pellegrini’s team was more offensive-focused with lots of attacks, while Guardiola’s squad emphasizes possession and tactical flexibility.
Q: What does this say about Manchester City’s evolution?
A: It highlights the club’s growth in tactical sophistication while maintaining a high standard of attacking talent across eras.
