Ian Poveda has made the perfect decision in linking up with Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United according to former boss Pep Guardiola.
The 19-year-old completed a permanent transfer from Etihad Stadium to Elland Road on Friday evening and is in line for a debut against Millwall on Tuesday.
After making one senior appearance for the Premier League giants, and with his contract expiring this summer, Poveda has moved away to kickstart his career.
Speaking after City’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Fulham, Guardiola admitted he had not spoken to Poveda about the transfer directly, but was in no doubt it was an excellent decision.
The former Barcelona chief has been on the record more than once with his respect for Bielsa’s career and his ability to develop footballers.
Explaining why Poveda was let go, he said: “Because he’s young, he has to play. He was not able and Leeds United is an incredible challenge.
“To be training with one of the best, maybe the best, managers in the world in terms of how he helps the players to be better players.
“He has an incredible power to develop. For the way Leeds play suits perfect for his qualities.”
Asked if Bielsa was the deciding factor in the four-and-a-half-year contract, Guardiola sad: “I don’t know. I didn’t speak with Ian, but anyway, either way it’s a really good decision for him.”
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