The Belgian playmaker has played a pivotal role in the Club’s recent success, since joining from Wolfsburg in August 2015, crafting some of our greatest and most celebrated moments.
The 30-year-old has 70 goals and 108 assists to his name in 274 appearances, lifting every piece of domestic silverware, and Guardiola says the attacking midfielder is working hard every day to add to the collection.
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“Everything we have done in these years is thanks to a person like him,” Guardiola said, after Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
“He is such an important player for us and is an excellent person. He’s trying more and more every single day.
“[On Saturday] he made a step forward in many things. At 10v11, we tried to put him more in the side to create with his talent to our strikers.
“In the end, we decided to put Joao [Cancelo] on that side to be more up and down. We didn’t get the good result but it is always difficult in 10v11.
“Whether players play or rest is my decision. Our standards as a team individually and collectively are so high.
“We know how difficult it is to maintain it - but not just him: Riyad [Mahrez], Raheem [Sterling] - all the top players who have helped us to achieve what we achieved over the past four or five years.
“In seasons, there are highs and lows and big moments and it’s important to be strong here and positive and next Wednesday [against Club Brugge] is another challenge, another opportunity.
“This is what it is. Kevin knows it. He has done more than good since he arrived here, and he wants to continue to do it.”
View the video above to hear what Pep had to say...
