What Pep Guardiola told Bilal El Khannouss and Harry Winks after Leicester City loss to Man City
Pep Guardiola may have been impressed by Bilal El Khannouss but the Leicester City playmaker is not satisfied yet as he looks to replicate his Manchester City performance every week in the new year.
Guardiola, as he often does, made a beeline for several City players after Sunday’s fixture, including star of the show El Khannouss. The Moroccan attacking midfielder showed off excellent passing, close control and work-rate, and revealed he received some kind words from the Man City boss at full-time.
But those words mean little to the 20-year-old. He believes that is the level of performance he is capable of producing every week, and now it's a matter of showing it.
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Speaking to Belgian media, El Khannouss said: “He (Guardiola) said he was impressed by my play today. I am not. I know myself and this is the player I can be. I have to show that every week now.”
He added in his interview with the club: “I think it was my best performance since I’ve been here. But I’m not impressed because this is the Bilal I know. I’m really confident. I’m enjoying the game and enjoying the day because we have the best job in the world, to play football.
“After a few games now, I am adapted. People can see now who I am. I will continue to work on this and build so I can show this every week in the new year.”
Guardiola was also seen chatting to Harry Winks and Jannik Vestergaard at full-time. Midfielder Winks said they discussed City’s performances last season, when under the guidance of the Spaniard’s former assistant Enzo Maresca.
Winks was making his second start under Ruud van Nistelrooy and his presence allowed City to control possession. It was the first time in 18 games against Guardiola’s Man City they have had a greater than 50 per cent share of the ball. He believes that’s how City should be looking to play for the rest of the season.
Winks said: “He (Guardiola) said a couple of nice things and mentioned about last season with Enzo. But he’s the best of the best. It was nice to have a conversation with him.”
He added: “As players before the game, we said that we needed to play with the ball and rest with it. It’s difficult to play in any game in the Premier League and sit deep and soak up pressure because any team can break you down and cause problems.
“We have to get back to enjoying the ball, keeping it, and resting with the ball. That’s the only way we are going to score, and we have to get back into the mindset of enjoying it.”
