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#3 Oleksandr Zinchenko
Pep Guardiola's ability to identify talent is not restricted to the big leagues as he unearthed Oleksandr Zinchenko from Russian football. Zinchenko was playing Ufa in the Russian Premier League when Manchester City tapped him up on the instructions of Pep Guardiola for just £1.8 million. It surprised a few, but he was seen as an upcoming prodigy in Russian football.
Zinchenko has been a solid backup and bench option on whom Pep Guardiola has relied several times. The Ukrainian has featured in several key games for Manchester City as the club have an Achilles heel in the left-back position.
He was the starting left-back in the Champions League final in 2021, but Manchester City narrowly lost the final to Chelsea. He has also won numerous trophies with his club and has played significant roles throughout those campaigns.
Zinchenko may not be a world-beater, but Pep Guardiola made an incredible bargain to acquire a Premier League quality defender for a paltry fee. With Joao Cancelo as the starter, Zinchenko is unlikely to enjoy regular involvement at Manchester City.
#2 Joshua Kimmich
When RB Leipzig rose in stature in Germany, a teenager was putting in stellar performances for them. Pep Guardiola was the first to accurately identify the high ceiling that the player possessed.
The Spaniard made a move for Kimmich and acquired him for £7 million. When Kimmich's service to Germany and Bayern Munich is considerd today, one can understand how much foresight Guardiola possesses.
Kimmich is a highly skilled and versatile footballer who can play as a traditional right-back, a right wing-back and a central defensive midfielder equally well. The German footballer made the shift seamlessly and has established himself as a wonderful defensive midfielder.
Over the years, Kimmich has won major honors for Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola and his successors. Club honors range from league titles to the coveted Champions League as well. He has also won the confederations Cup with Germany, for whom Kimmich will love to win the World Cup in Qatar next year.
#1 Gerard Pique
The Manchester United side under Sir Alex Fergusson had several talented defenders among their ranks. As a result, a young Spaniard failed to break into the first team.
Demoralized and in search of minutes, Gerard Pique was offered a way out of Old Trafford by Pep Guardiola. The then Barcelona coach decided to bring the La Masia graduate back to Camp Nou for a mere £4.5 million in 2008.
It was Manchester United's loss, and Barcelona's gain as Gerard Pique soon became one of the best centre-backs in the world.
Pique took to La Liga as the fish took to the water. He looked extremely comfortable on the ball, and proved to be a solid, clean tackler with a commanding personality.
Pique formed a stellar partnership with Carles Puyol and was an integral part of an all-conquering Barcelona side managed by Pep Guardiola himself.
Of late, age has caught up with the great centre-back. However, Pique has been a loyal servant to Barcelona for years. He has won almost every trophy there is to win for club and country in his career.
