Josko Gvardiol says he and his City team-mates have been hard at work from the first moment they returned to the City Football Academy in the summer.

Gvardiol is excelling in his second campaign in Manchester, featuring in every game Pep Guardiola’s side have played so far in 2024/25.

Often selected at left-back, the Croatian international is excellent defensively while he increasingly becoming a serious threat in attacking positions.

City v Southampton | Match preview

His six goals in the Premier League in 2024 makes him the highest scoring defender in the division.

After lifting the top-flight title in his first term at the Etihad, Gvardiol insists that he’s still learning from his more experienced colleagues and that everyone is working hard to be crowned champions for a record extending fifth successive season.

“I follow the other guys who have been here for many years. It’s my second year and I’m still learning how this league works and the different competition,” he said.

“The good thing is that we are all sticking together and we are all here for each other. We all push each other.

“The hard work and focus were there from the very first moment and first day and that’s why we won the four in a row.”

At just 22, Gvardiol is at his third major club in three different countries.

Born in Zagreb, the defender began his career with Dinamo Zagreb before moving to Germany and RB Leipzig.

Now, rather than missing home, Gvardiol says City and two team-mates in particular have made Manchester a welcoming place to settle.

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“I do have that feeling [of a City family]. We spend much time together and I live alone,” he stated.

“This is a group of people I need with me, and they make me a better person every day.

“There is also Kova [Mateo Kovacic] who is a really good friend of mine.

“We are really close. I’ve said many times – he’s a really nice guy and I’m happy I can share a dressing room with him here in Manchester and also with the national team.

“He helped me a lot in the beginning and spend a lot of time together.

“Matheus [Nunes] as well. I need to mention Matheus because he’s a really good person and a funny guy. I really like to spend my time with him.”

City v Southampton app coverage

Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from the Etihad in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin slightly later than usual (approximately 13:55), due to our live City+ coverage of West Brom against our Elite Development Squad in Premier League 2. 

Gareth Taylor and Andy Morrison will be the guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action. 

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Steve Howey while our text commentary continues.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.

Short highlights from the match will be available from 19:00, whilst extended highlights from the encounter and a full-match replay [available on CITY+] can be accessed from midnight.