Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has told Manchester City’s new goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, that Pep Guardiola might not like him.
Mikel said he wonders how the Italian goalkeeper would fit into Manchester City’s style, since Guardiola does not fancy goalkeepers who cannot play out from the back.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper was available in the transfer market this summer for as low as £26 million.
The Italian is regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, having helped Paris Saint-Germain claim multiple titles.
Donnarumma was made available for transfer and Manchester City seized the opportunity.
Despite his world-class status, some have questioned whether he is suited to the Citizens, and Mikel is one of those doubters.
“How is he going to fit in this Manchester City side because we all know that Pep Guardiola goalkeepers have to be able to play in the midfield as well,” Obi Mikel said on his The Obi One Podcast.
“I wonder how Donnarumma is going to do that because we all know he’s not the best with his feet.
“I wonder how he’s going to fit in with this Pep Guardiola side. Is this Pep Guardiola now trying to change the way he plays? I don’t know. But let’s wait and see.”
The Italian goalkeeper is likely to be in goal when Man City take on Manchester United in the Manchester derby on Sunday.