His half-time substitution at the Camp Nou during City's last-16 game with Barcelona in March was pretty much the last we saw of the Frenchman. Pellegrini's arrival saw a happier Nasri, and in City's league- and cup-winning 2013/14 season, Nasri was superb and once again a significant part of the first XI.ĭefending titles appears to be problematic for Nasri, though, as his form dipped again in a title-defence season. He felt a player with his game-changing abilities should be influencing matches far more than he was. In 2012/13, with City defending their fist title in 44 years, Mancini grew frustrated with Nasri. But when he’s bad, which happens too often, he can be a liability. When he’s good, there are few better attacking midfielders in the league. However, under both Roberto Mancini and Pellegrini, he has too often found himself on the periphery of the first XI due to periods of poor form. His touch is sublime, he possesses great vision and he keeps the ball brilliantly through a combination of strength, determination and skill. There are very few in the City side who can compete with him in terms of ability. Nasri has a tendency to drift in and out of matches and, indeed, in and out of seasons, with his commitment sometimes undermining his obvious quality. Inconsistency is his downfall, something that isn’t captured on the game. Technically, Nasri is a wonderful player, and his FIFA statistics, quite rightly, show that.
It is perhaps a lack of nuance in the FIFA 16 database which sees Nasri rank more favourably than two players who are higher up Manuel Pellegrini’s pecking order. Reality, of course, would suggest this isn’t the case. His overall score of 83 means he is considered a better player than Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho. Steffen signed a new contract with City this month in an indication that though he doesn’t get as much game time, he knows this is one of the best places to continue to learn and improve as a goalkeeper.īerhalter is happy that his first-choice goalkeeper is getting to learn from the best and training with a team that is one of the best examples in world football of the style of goalkeeping he wants from his number one.Samir Nasri, though, is perhaps slightly overrated on the new game. It made me want to strive for bigger and better goals.” "It gave me a lot of confidence coming into this year knowing I can play at this level and they are happy with me. I definitely grew from the first day, first training and first game to the last day of the season. "You have to keep a strong mentality and be ready, push the number one and push yourself and still enjoy it. "Last year was my first time being the number two keeper and I've learned a lot," he said. Most of these have come in the FA Cup and EFL Cup, but he has also appeared in the league and the Champions League.
Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper, Ederson, is one of the best in the world, and few in the position can match the Brazilian’s range of passing-from short, intricate play to booming long balls to put forwards in on goal.īecoming a trusted backup at City is an achievement in itself, though, and Steffen has made 16 starts for the current Premier League champions during his time there. Staying ahead of the impressive Turner will be a difficult task, but not as difficult as it is to break into the team at City. That helped me understand the game a little bit more.” He tries to mimic it a little bit," Steffen told the Manchester City matchday programme ahead of their recent game against Everton. "Gregg loves to keep the ball and loves the way Pep plays and how we play at City. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) Getty ImagesĪnd part of the reason Steffen is considered first-choice is that willingness to get involved beyond goalkeeping-something Berhalter had him doing during their time together at Columbus Crew. World Cup 2022 Qualifier match against Mexico at TQL Stadium on Novemin Cincinnati, Ohio.
CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 12: Zack Steffen #1 of the United States makes a save during the FIFA.
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