Samir Nasri made a cameo 15-minute appearance for Manchester City in their Premier League encounter against West Ham and seems to have impressed new manager Pep Guardiola. Returning for the pre-season overweight, the social media had trolled Samir Nasri and was also expected to be axed by the club.
However, in light of turn of events, Guardiola revealed that Samir Nasri could stay at the club since he not only surprised by regaining fitness but also promising his return to the good old form in the 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.
Samir Nasri came close to scoring twice, while he also set up David Silva for his shot which hit the post. Besides, he made smart runs into the box, demanded possession and passed it around incisively. Guardiola seems to be highly attracted by such qualities based on which he wishes to impose his style of play at the club.
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Praising his quality and performance, Guardiola has invited Samir Nasri to be a part of the Manchester City future. However, he has conditioned his invitation on the willingness of the player to raise his game and thus declared, that he will stay only if he decides to.
"Nasri can stay," Guardiola told reporters after he was asked if the 29-year-old is part of his plans now.
"Samir arrived overweight but after seven days, 10 days, it was fantastic how he trained. His quality is another level.
"It depends on him. If he wants to help us and stay to be part of something, it depends on him."
Apart from his treatment of Joe Hart, Wilfried Bony, and Eliaquim Mangala, Guardiola seems to be giving his players a second chance. Encouraged by his motive of exploring the squad, he might have found a solution to build a team around fluid midfielders, ones who pass the ball quickly and also become the attack. As the recent progress indicates, Samir Nasri could also benefit by helping himself revive his form and career under Guardiola.
After the third win in as many games, Guardiola clarified on what appeared to be an injury to John Stones and he feels it is just the fatigue that prompted him to make the substitution.
"Stones is not injured, I don't think so. I didn't speak to the doctor. I saw him tired and with problems, no injury.
"He had a little bit of a problem and did not win the duels. He might have been tired which is why we made the substitution."
Manchester City now face their neighbours Manchester United in the next game week at Old Trafford. Presently, both the Manchester clubs are tied at the same points in the table separated only by goal difference in favour of The Citizens.
