Gael Clichy Fan

Some coaches make you a better player, others don’t stop there, they make you a better human. The difference between what Lionel Messi currently is and what he would have been like had he not grew up under Guardiola remains a guess. The Spaniard’s impact is however, not.

Gael Clichy currently plays for Turkish side Basaksehir and he say Guardiola remains one of the best coaches he’s ever worked despite spending only one year under the former Barcelona coach at Etihad.
Continue reading CLICHY REMEMBERS GUARDIOLA’S DIFFERENCE

Watford announced last Saturday that Spanish coach Quique Sanchez Flores is the new coach of the first team after announcing the dismissal of fellow countryman Javi Gracia, who had been the coach since January 2018.

It will be the second coming of Sánchez Flores to the London club having coached the ‘Hornets’ between June 2015 and May 2016 leaving the team in the Premier League and qualifying for the semifinals of the FA Cup that year.

Watford announced last Saturday that Spanish coach Quique Sanchez Flores is the new coach of the first team after announcing the dismissal of fellow countryman Javi Gracia, who had been the coach since January 2018.

It will be the second coming of Sánchez Flores to the London club having coached the ‘Hornets’ between June 2015 and May 2016 leaving the team in the Premier League and qualifying for the semifinals of the FA Cup that year.

Since leaving Vicarage Road, the coach has trained managed in Spain between 2016 and 2018 and Shanghai Shenhua last season. He left the Chinese club in the summer and has been without a job since then.

Sanchez Flores has a solid cv winning the Europa League and Super Cup with Atletico Madrid as well as the League Cup with Benfica.

Watford are known for their erratic change in managers with the sacking of Garcia a surprising one. The Spaniard was hailed by members of the press last season as he led the club to eleventh place last season and reached the final of the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has been linked with a move to China. The Frenchman has been with Turkish outfit Instanbul Basekhir but could make a switch to China with a number of clubs interested in his signing.

Clichy was one of the best in the left-back position during his time in England starring for Arsenal before making the move to Manchester City. He enjoyed a starring career winning the League at the Etihad.

China has become a destination for players that want to retire with a nice contract and a host of players have been trooping to the Asian nation in recent years.

The likes of Ramires, Oscar, Ighalo and many more currently ply their trade in the Chinese League.

Arsenal are set to make a transfer bid for AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas according to reports from Italy.It is understood that the London club are willing to activate his release clause which is valued at £32 million.

Roma are looking to increase the release clause by offering the defender a new contract but negotiations have stalled. Manolas is also understood to be among the players that are considering their futures after the debacle regarding Danielle Rossi.
Arsenal struggled to keep clean sheets last season with the club having the worst away record for clean sheets.

Arsenal are set to make a transfer bid for AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas according to reports from Italy.It is understood that the London club are willing to activate his release clause which is valued at £32 million.

Roma are looking to increase the release clause by offering the defender a new contract but negotiations have stalled. Manolas is also understood to be among the players that are considering their futures after the debacle regarding Danielle Rossi.
Arsenal struggled to keep clean sheets last season with the club having the worst away record for clean sheets.

Club boss Unai Emery is looking to strengthen in the center-back position and Manolas is seen as an ideal target.

The Greek international was previously linked to a move to the Emirates some few seasons back but opted to make a transfer to Italy from Olympiakos.

He has developed into one of the best defenders in the Italian League and at 27 yearsold, he should be close to his peak.

Arsenal are looking to sell a few players to fund the move with German defender ShkodranMustafi among the players on the transfer list.

Manolas would drastically improve the backline of the club but it remains to be seen if a transfer would materialize in the summer.

The club has also been linked with the signing of French youngster William Saliba from Saint-Etienne.

Several former Arsenal players have spoken highly of Saliba including Aliadere and Gael Clichy.

From the looks of things, the young defender is getting close to making the switch. The 6 ft 4 defender is considered as one of the top priorities for the Gunners this summer.
Saint-Etienne are demanding a fee of £35 million and also want the defender on loan next season. It remain to be seen how this one works out in the next few days.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti according to reports in Spain. The French World Cup winner has been relegated to the bench this season as a combination of injury and poor form has affected the defender.

Umtiti is currently behind Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet in the reckoning and Barcelona are looking to add Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt in the summer. The Ajax captain would not come cheap and Barcelona would have to cash in on one of their defenders to finance the signing. Umtiti is seen as the expendable defender and at 25 years would command a bigger fee than Lenglet.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti according to reports in Spain. The French World Cup winner has been relegated to the bench this season as a combination of injury and poor form has affected the defender.

Umtiti is currently behind Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet in the reckoning and Barcelona are looking to add Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt in the summer. The Ajax captain would not come cheap and Barcelona would have to cash in on one of their defenders to finance the signing. Umtiti is seen as the expendable defender and at 25 years would command a bigger fee than Lenglet.

Arsenal and Manchester United have shown interest in the player as both clubs have experienced problems in the centre back positions. United have struggled at the back and new coach Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has made the position a key area for strengthening in the summer.

Arsenal defensive problems are well documented as the Gunners remain the only team in the league yet to record an away clean sheet. Club captain Laurent Koscienly is 33 and has looked sub-par since recovering from an Achilles injuring. Mustafi has never fully convinced during his time at the club and could be sold in the summer.

Umtiti would represent an instant upgrade to the current options as the Frenchman has pace, and would be a perfect fit for Emery’s tactics. Umtiti is comfortable with the ball at his feet and would be able to initiate attacks from deep.

“A transfer fee of €55million has been touted by media sources which is a good fee for “the defender in thisera of bloated transfer fees.

Arsenal have a good record of French defenders in the past with the likes of Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna playing for the club.

Gael Clichy is not one of the players that many remember with a lot of career highlights. Despite playing for two of the biggest clubs in England, the Frenchman is viewed as an above average footballer. This could be partly due to the type of left backs that dominated the league in the early part of the decade.

For example, Patrice Evra is known for his bursts into the defence of opposing teams and his ability to provide an extra man in the left side of the attack. While contemporary Ashley Cole is known for his exemplary defensive attributes and is considered one of the greatest left-backs in the premier league history.

Gael Clichy is not one of the players that many remember with a lot of career highlights. Despite playing for two of the biggest clubs in England, the Frenchman is viewed as an above average footballer. This could be partly due to the type of left backs that dominated the league in the early part of the decade.

For example, Patrice Evra is known for his bursts into the defence of opposing teams and his ability to provide an extra man in the left side of the attack. While contemporary Ashley Cole is known for his exemplary defensive attributes and is considered one of the greatest left-backs in the premier league history.

Clichy was never the most attacking like Evra or the most defensive like Ashley Cole, he was more a stable blend between both attributes. Blessed with good pace, he could break forward when required but was a poor crosser of the ball. Defensively he was always susceptible to the odd lack of concentration which could prove costly to his team.

It is always overlooked that Clichy was the youngest member of the Invisible title-winning team of 2004 and was seen by Wenger as a talented defender from his teenage days.
Clichy served as understudy to Ashley Cole for three seasons and became a major stalwart of the trophyless period under Arsene Wenger.
“His move to Manchester City was seen as a betrayal by Arsenal fans but the player always had a mantra of winning titles“. Currently playing for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir the 33-year-old is on the verge of “lifting another League title“ as the club sits 1st on the league table.

A look back at his career shows 3 league titles, 1 FA Cup and 2 League cups,He also made the PFA Team of the season in the 2007/2008 season during his time in England.

Gaël Clichy clearly remembers the moment Pep Guardiola changed his outlook on how he would spend the final years of his career. Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2016 and summoned the French defender to his office for a clinical assessment of his future.

After one influential season under the Catalan’s guidance, Clichy and Manchester City parted ways but his former manager’s words were etched in his memory.

French defender Gael Clichy hopes to help guide Istanbul Basaksehir to a first Turkish title and is intent on conducting himself like his former manager at Manchester City would expect.

Gaël Clichy clearly remembers the moment Pep Guardiola changed his outlook on how he would spend the final years of his career. Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2016 and summoned the French defender to his office for a clinical assessment of his future.

After one influential season under the Catalan’s guidance, Clichy and Manchester City parted ways but his former manager’s words were etched in his memory.

Not wanting to slip into mediocrity for the sake of money, Clichy made the bold decision to join the little-known Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, who are trying to break the triumvirate of city rivals Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce despite taking on their current incarnation only four years ago.

Despite the club’s newness and it only attracting 5,000 fans on average to home games, they do have plenty of influence and other high-calibre players in Emmanuel Adebayor and Arda Turan.

There are big plans to expand the training ground and incorporate their youth academy right next to the stadium. Players of Clichy’s experience have been brought in to improve professionalism.

“Playing under Arsène Wenger and Guardiola gives Clichy plenty of knowledge to proffer“. His eyes were opened to a new style “under the Manchester City“ manager and the defender is enthused by what he can still achieve.

“When you’ve been used to playing for Arsenal for eight years, and for City for six, it’s always going to be a shock. When you leave those clubs you can only go down a level. I was lucky for the last 12 months to work with Guardiola and often you think of someone being a genius of football; but if someone is close, he is the one,” Clichy said.

Before the UEFA Europa league game between Gael Clichy’s Istanbul Basaksehir and Joe Hart’s Burnley in October, Clichy spoke of how tremendous a character Hart is after the duo spent a few years together at the Etihad Stadium of Manchester City.

The two former City stars were reunited once again at Turf Moor as Hart’s Clarets sought to edge past Clichy’s Basaksehir in the Europa League third qualifying round.
After the first leg of the game ended in a goalless draw in Istanbul, the tie was delicately poised but if Burnley do progress, Clichy said he would be happy to see former teammate, Joe Hart succeed.

Before the UEFA Europa league game between Gael Clichy’s Istanbul Basaksehir and Joe Hart’s Burnley in October, Clichy spoke of how tremendous a character Hart is after the duo spent a few years together at the Etihad Stadium of Manchester City.

The two former City stars were reunited once again at Turf Moor as Hart’s Clarets sought to edge past Clichy’s Basaksehir in the Europa League third qualifying round.
After the first leg of the game ended in a goalless draw in Istanbul, the tie was delicately poised but if Burnley do progress, Clichy said he would be happy to see former teammate, Joe Hart succeed.

Speaking in an interview, the French left back said, “As a character he’s an amazing guy. In the five years I was with him, I never saw or heard him speak badly about anybody, even if we all know in football it’s pretty easy to talk down on somebody”.
“He’s a very positive guy. He will do everything for his teammates, so what Burnleyare getting is a top quality goalkeeper and a top man.”

Hart joined the Clarets for $4 million after a difficult final couple of years at Man City, following the capture of Spanish manager Pep Guardiola. He had loan spells in Italy for Torino and in England for West Ham.

“Clichy has no doubt the kind of immense quality the goalkeeper has brought into Burnley“, even hailing the 31 year old as the best goalkeeper he played with during his decade and a “half in English football“.

“When you see the season City had last year, I think for everybody it was difficult to see him go back to the club. This doesn’t take away his quality. To me, he has been the best goalkeeper I’ve played with in my 15 years in England and being England’s number one for so long shows his quality”, Clichy said.

When Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016, he did not chop his words to Gael Clichy about his playing future. The French backpack had five seasons at Etihad after his move from Arsenal and he enjoyed all. Clichy ultimately used an extra season at City playing under the Spanish boss. But in the early 2016/17 season, he became aware of his standing with Guardiola, who repeated that his career was behind him.

“Your career is behind you now,” Clichy revealed to the Guardian. Guardiola also told Clichy: “But you have a duty every day, every session, every behavior you have; young players look up to you and even at the time when you feel you are not a special player and this is all because of what you have been doing so many years in England You won the trophies, you are somebody, and the young players will look up to you and behave the way you do things.”

When Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016, he did not chop his words to Gael Clichy about his playing future. The French backpack had five seasons at Etihad after his move from Arsenal and he enjoyed all. Clichy ultimately used an extra season at City playing under the Spanish boss. But in the early 2016/17 season, he became aware of his standing with Guardiola, who repeated that his career was behind him.

“Your career is behind you now,” Clichy revealed to the Guardian. Guardiola also told Clichy: “But you have a duty every day, every session, every behavior you have; young players look up to you and even at the time when you feel you are not a special player and this is all because of what you have been doing so many years in England You won the trophies, you are somebody, and the young players will look up to you and behave the way you do things.”

Despite the brutal exchange, “Clichy misses his time with Guardiola and says he is the closest thing to a football genius.“ “I was lucky for the last 12 months to work with Guardiola and you often think that someone “is a football genius“, but if someone is close, he is the one. I’m not saying he’s the best, because other leaders have been successful with different methods, but he certainly shows you another way to feel and watch football. It was a big shock.”

In the summer of 2017, Guardiola identified the fullback positions that required strengthening. He later drafted in Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker while reading Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabeta, Aleksandar Kolarov and the former Clichy. It ended Clichy’s 14-year-old spell in England’s top flight. He eventually secured a plane to Turkey’s Super Lig by joining Istanbul Basaksehir.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that Jorginho’s decision to join Chelsea this summer has been a blow to their transfer ambitions. City had a verbal agreement with the Italy international during the early stages of the transfer window but the Blues managed to hijack the deal after they offered him the chance to reunite with ex-Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.

Speaking ahead of the Community Shield, Guardiola said that Jorginho has delivered a blow to their transfer ambitions and compared the situation with that of Alexis Sanchez last winter, he said: “The blow is that he [Jorginho] would rather be at Chelsea. We tried, we believe we were close but at the last turn he decided to go to Chelsea. The same thing with United and Alexis, so I have nothing else to say.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that Jorginho’s decision to join Chelsea this summer has been a blow to their transfer ambitions. City had a verbal agreement with the Italy international during the early stages of the transfer window but the Blues managed to hijack the deal after they offered him the chance to reunite with ex-Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.

Speaking ahead of the Community Shield, Guardiola said that Jorginho has delivered a blow to their transfer ambitions and compared the situation with that of Alexis Sanchez last winter, he said: “The blow is that he [Jorginho] would rather be at Chelsea. We tried, we believe we were close but at the last turn he decided to go to Chelsea. The same thing with United and Alexis, so I have nothing else to say.”

Sanchez had reached a verbal agreement to join the Citizens in January after a summer agreement fell through but they could not finalise a transfer fee with the Gunners. As such, Manchester United hijacked the deal by offering Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a swap agreement and the Chilean has since been a regular starter for Jose Mourinho’s side.

As things stand, “City have made just one signing in the form of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City but they could be some frantic activity “ before the transfer deadline, considering Guardiola is seemingly desperate to recruit a new central midfielder. According to reports, “both Marco Verratti and “ Mateo Kovacic have been associated with the position but they may need to come with a quick conclusion, given the Premier League transfer window concludes on August 9.

Guardiola focused largely on the academy players during the recent pre-season tour of the United States and he may have to utilise some of them for the Community Shield game versus Chelsea, considering most of the first-team regulars are yet to report after World Cup duty. Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne are some of the high-profile players expected to miss the Blues encounter.

Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy is grateful to his coach Pep Guardiola and his wife for their efforts at helping him settle at the club. The Frenchman joined last summer but he has barely played games for the Cityzens due to fitness issues.

Guardiola made it a priority to get the best fullbacks in the game when he took over at the Etihad. The Spaniard spent over £125 million to complete deals for Mendy and Kyle Walker, with Danilo as double assistant.

Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy is grateful to his coach Pep Guardiola and his wife for their efforts at helping him settle at the club. The Frenchman joined last summer but he has barely played games for the Cityzens due to fitness issues.

Guardiola made it a priority to get the best fullbacks in the game when he took over at the Etihad. The Spaniard spent over £125 million to complete deals for Mendy and Kyle Walker, with Danilo as double assistant.

Mendy and Walker took over after City cleared its former aging fullbacks in Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta, AleksKolarov and BacarySagna. Guardiola has used the flanks very well in a productive attacking football this last season.

Mendy says Guardiola is the kind of manager that players hope to play under. He adds that he has learnt a lot about life from Guardiola than on football matters. The France international, who is at the ongoing World Cup in Russia, revealed he chatted with Guardiola on Whatsapp when he was considering signing for City from AS Monaco. Mendy said he chatted with the coach and his wife, who was helping him with his French.

The player saw Guardiola as family rather than as a coach. He arrived at Etihad injured and only featured in some games before his knee ligament injury. He was sidelined for most of the season and only just returned to full fitness and is deemed lucky to make the star studded French national team for the World Cup.

Mendy said the coach never forgot him when he was injured as early as November. He spoke of how he ran out to the pitch despite doctor’s advice when Raheem Sterling won a game for City against Southampton. Despite the concerns, Guardiola asked him to be careful and was smiling about it. The player is better fitness wise and is expected to repay the investment in him this forthcoming season.