Man City didn't add any new players to their squad in the January transfer window but they did sign one: Croatian teenage Ante Palaversa.
City splashed £4.32m on the young midfielder from his home town club Hajduk Split and was then immediately loaned back until the summer of 2020.
Palaversa has enjoyed a fine season, playing 25 league games with Split currently sitting 3rd in the table and he's revealed what he must improve on in order to one day earn a place in the Man City midfield and play the role of Fernandinho.
“I think I probably need to improve the defensive aspects of my game to have a chance of playing in that Fernandinho role,” the 19-year-old told The i.
"But to be honest I have to improve every aspect of my play because he’s a phenomenal player and so important to Guardiola’s plan for City.
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"The greatest strength in my game is my passing range, but when you watch City every player is strong when passing the ball. So that must improve with everything else.”
Though clearly talented, having captained the Croatia u19 side at just 17, Palaversa also admitted his shock when City became interested in him.
He added: “Manchester City is a brilliant project and a brilliant team. Being 18, it’s hard to imagine that someone could walk into that team as a first-team player.
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"So I think the only way to do it is step by step. My goal is to earn a starting place in that team, but I can’t get carried away and think I’m there already because I’m still an awfully long way from that end goal.
"I’m honestly not even looking two years down the line, because that won’t help. I must perform to my best, and the level of that best must keep going up."
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