Guardiola: I have a lot of Philipp Lahms at Man City

The Catalan says he has plenty of players who understand the game as well as the Germany international, who became a central piece of Bayern Munich’s success

Pep Guardiola says he has “a lot” of Philipp Lahms at his disposal at Manchester City.

Guardiola quickly realised Lahm’s potential to play as a midfielder when he took over at Bayern Munich in 2013 and the Germany international played a key part in the club’s success under the Catalan.

Guardiola deployed Pablo Zabaleta alongside Fernando in the centre against Celtic in midweek, but he says it is normally midfielders who have the best understanding of the game – and that he has a lot in his current squad.

“Yeah, a lot, many,” he said when asked if he has City’s own version of Lahm. “Normally this is a midfield player because they have to know what’s happening in front of them and behind.

“Normally defenders… not all defenders, because a few defenders can understand the game, but normally defenders focus on defence, strikers focus on scoring goals, but a midfielder understands the whole game. We have a lot here.

“We do not have a problem with that. We have played more than well in the short time that we are together. It depends on the results, but the way we played, we have played good – or at least how I want.”