Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol has hailed Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus as the toughest opponent he has faced in the Premier League.
During an interview with the club’s media, Gvardiol reflected on his first season in the Premier League and highlighted Kudus’ impact in their initial encounter on September 16, 2023.
Despite Kudus starting on the bench, Gvardiol said the Ghana attacker made an immediate impression after coming on as a substitute, showcasing his pace and skill.
Gvardiol specifically recalled their final match of the 2023/2024 season, where Kudus left a lasting mark with a stunning bicycle kick goal.
The Croatian defender acknowledged that Kudus’ sharpness and ball control made him a formidable challenge.
Man City defender Josko Gvardiol says 🇬🇭 Mohammed Kudus was his toughest opponent last season.
He also added that Kudus will show a lot more of his quality this year. pic.twitter.com/Js3bFlZMKX
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) September 4, 2024
“Mohammed Kudus from West Ham was my toughest opponent. In the first game, he was on the bench, and when he came on for the last twenty minutes, he was on my side.
“I realized that he was quite good. He looks sharp and was good on the ball. In the second game of the season, he even scored a bicycle kick. He was the one I struggled against,” he said.
Gvardiol also sent his best wishes to Kudus for the upcoming 2024/2025 season, expressing his belief that the Ghanaian star has the potential to establish himself as one of the world’s best players.
“I think he is the one who deserves attention, and I believe this season he’s going to come out and show his quality,” he said.
Kudus had an outstanding debut season in England, netting 14 goals and providing six assists across all competitions.
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