Alvaro Negredo, the former Manchester City striker, has shared which current players he would have liked to team up with during his career.
During his one season at the Etihad Stadium, Negredo was part of one of City’s most formidable attacking line-ups under Manuel Pellegrini. He brought a powerful physical presence, sharp finishing instincts, and a knack for succeeding in a possession-centric style.
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More than a decade later, the former Spain international has reflected on the club’s growth and shared which of Pep Guardiola’s modern stars he feels he would have fit well alongside on the pitch.
Negredo’s appreciation for the current Manchester City setup is unsurprising, given the incredible attacking talent at Guardiola’s disposal. While his time at the club featured an array of goals from legends like Sergio Agüero, David Silva, and Yaya Touré, today’s squad showcases a group of players with a remarkable command of ball control and positional play.
In this light, the former forward contemplated how his playstyle would mesh with the current team, particularly as a striker known for his strength, intelligent movement, and ability to capitalize on quick transitions.
In an exclusive interview with City Xtra, thanks to BetVictor Casino, Negredo mentioned Phil Foden as one of the players he admires and would have liked to play with.
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“There are several,” Negredo replied. “I enjoy playing with the best, like Phil Foden, who possesses great game vision, can shoot from distance, and delivers excellent crosses.”
He added, “He would definitely be one of my choices, but since I prefer partnering with another forward, I would also think about playing alongside Erling Haaland. I believe that the two of us would complement each other well and truly enjoy it.”
Negredo also provided insights into the style of play under Manuel Pellegrini, stating, “Manchester City’s current style focuses on ball possession, utilizing a low block while executing effective counter-attacks.”
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“Our approach was slightly different, emphasizing more offensive players. Both strategies have proven effective in winning the Premier League over the years. For English football, our era was characterized by numerous goals and attacking plays.”
He concluded, “While the game today remains open with exceptional quality in the attacking third, which we also had in our title-winning season, I personally prefer our style, although theirs is equally impressive.”
As Manchester City continues to evolve under Guardiola’s leadership, Negredo’s reflections offer a fascinating perspective on how players from different eras could integrate into the club’s current framework.
The vision of him collaborating with Phil Foden’s creativity or Erling Haaland’s clinical finishing presents an intriguing scenario for fans. Looking ahead, these comments highlight the potential comparisons between modern City attackers and the prolific forwards of Pellegrini’s 2013/14 title-winning squad.
With Haaland at the peak of his career and Foden rising toward superstardom, the prospect of merging different eras remains an exciting fantasy for Manchester City supporters.