This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Venezuelan journalist Carlos Ponte believes Manchester City’s loanee Yangel Herrera will move to a top European club in the near future.
What did he say?
Herrera has been on loan at Granada this season and has already made an impact on the Spanish club. Remarkably, Granada sit third in La Liga after 10 games, and are just two points off leaders Barcelona. Herrera has helped them get to this point, starting seven games and coming off the bench for another.
Ponte has spoken very highly of the 21-year-old and stated that he could move to a top European club if he continues his current form
He told talkSPORT: “At New York City FC his coach was Patrick Vieira, and he took Andrea Pirlo’s place in the team, so he must have learned something.
“He has a lot of energy and stamina, is great at providing cover and a true team player. He’s good at bringing the ball out with a certain degree of elegancy.
“He’s not Sergio Busquets or Rodri, but does that job quite well. He’s very reliable and rarely commits mistakes that leave the team in a bad position. And he’s aggressive: plays in your face without any nastiness, though does get a lot of bookings.
“To be a Guardiola-style midfielder he needs to improve his use of the ball – that style requires so much precision and speed in decision making.
“If he continues his development he’ll end up at a big European club.”
A potential replacement for Fernandinho
The signing of Rodri has made City well equipped in the defensive midfielder role. Rodri joined the Brazilian and Ilkay Gundogan at City, inevitably forcing Herrera elsewhere to gain experience.
However, as Ponte stated, he has massively improved in Spain this year and rarely makes any mistakes. Plus Fernandinho will be 35 come May, and surely does not have many years left at the Etihad as a result.
If Herrera can continue to perform in Granada’s midfield, Guardiola may see him as a long term replacement for the City legend.
If not, City may lose out on a potential star of the future, and the Venezuelan might not be short of offers in the summer if Ponte’s assessment is anything to go by.
