Take the ball, pass the ball. It is not only a philosophy for Pep Guardiola but a mantra and an obsession. These words generated a film over his years of Barcelona the largest team in the modern era and formed the base of the three teams with which he managed to win a series of trophies.
When Guardiola is looking for a player, it is essential that he can take the ball and pass it.
The importance of doing it was drilled in him by Johan Cruyff and although it took time to understand the methodology – Michael Laudrup is used to calling him “ pep two feet ” because he often took too much From touches to training – he is now the ultimate tutor, take those who want to learn at new levels.
It is easy to see why, then he wants Florian Wirtz. The dramatic and rapid renovation of Manchester City, which started with a raising eyebrow of the folies of 185 million pounds sterling in January, will continue at the rate this summer and what would be an addition of the international of young Germany.
He has the gift of playing football at his own pace, the kind of midfielder that attracts your attention with the way his socks nestle his calves half like Jack Grenish and the languid way that he can roll the Possession of fast attackers like a green launcher of the crown who tries to gently move a jack.
It is not surprising that it has become one of the most requested fields in Europe. He prospered under Xabi Alonso, becoming an ankle worker that marked history last season with the first invincible national campaign in the Bundesliga.
Florian Wirtz has established himself as one of the best attacks in the world in Bayer Leverkusen
The side of Pep Guardiola made follies of 185 million pounds sterling in January on new additions and they should continue to spend big in summer in summer
Wirtz prospered under the boss of Leverkusen Xabi Alonso, who also experienced a passage under Guardiola in Bayern Munich
At night, they rocked the foundations of the order established last February, buying Bayern Munich 3-0 from La Bayarena, Wirtz was gloriously in the first skilful film. Bayern could not put a glove to him.
Sport Mail Once a training session in Leverkusen looked at, before an Europa League group match against Molde in December 2023, and Alonso had the same hold on his team as Guardiola, preaching to his players, standing in the semicircle, on the way whose possession of conservation is the law.
Alonso had a passage playing under Guardiola and was fascinated by the way he would draw his ideas.
“To follow this path, we have to do this and this and that to get here,” said Alonso. “Pep thinks of all these steps. But he doesn’t only think. To convince us that it will be the best way, from a tactical point of view, the point of view of motivation. He thinks on each side.
Alonso’s determination to advance Leverkusen has captured the players with whom he works, notably Wirtz. For his part, the 43 -year -old man’s mission is to bring his young protégé to the highest level possible.
“We want to help Florian Wirtz,” said Alonso, after sparkling in a 5-0 asymmetry of Red Bull Salzburg last November. “We know how different it is; We have to find it at the right times. This competition is for him. He is a player from the Champions League.
Not only that, he is a player for the greatest moments, which is why it was a huge surprise on Saturday evening when, in the last seconds of their last confrontation with Bayern, Wirtz missed a glorious chance to explode The title race wide open, putting a wide shot with the goal at his mercy in the injury time.
Wirtz, another of these jewelry to develop to the excellent LeGikusen Academy, will be a player from the Champions League for a long time, but how long will it stay in his hometown? If Guardiola has his wish, it will not be beyond the end of the current campaign.
The 21 -year -old has a release clause of 125 million euros, coming into play in 2026, which means that any agreement to sign it this summer would have an even higher price
But a note of caution in this tale: a price of 85 million pounds sterling (100 million euros) was mentioned but in private in Leverkusen, they are incredulous that they will be supposed that they will do business at this figure . If City wants Wirtz, the bank will have to be broken.
Leverkusen was in negotiations with Wirtz to make him sign an extension to his contract; His current terms take place until 2027, but the defending champions think that he will engage in an additional 12 months.
A redemption clause of 104 million pounds sterling (125 million euros), which came into play in 2026, was mentioned.
If he does not want to sign, Leverkusen would be reluctant sellers this summer, but only on their conditions – and it would be for 125 million pounds sterling (150 million euros).
Guardiola, deeply, would recognize why they attach such a value on such a special, the young man who makes the ball take and pass the look to the ball so easy.
