Exclusive - Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte has opened up on the methods of Pep Guardiola, while he has also explained how it felt to beat Liverpool to the title in 2018/19.
The centre-back finally made his return from a serious knee injury for the clash with Sheffield United in January. However, he has not featured in the Manchester club's last three games as he continues to recover and regain full fitness.
Speaking to 90min, the 25-year-old discussed a whole range of topics, including the influence of the departed Vincent Kompany and the methods of manager Guardiola.
When the silky centre-back was
When asked about Guardiola and his influence, Laporte added: "He is very intense all the time. He's a guy who knows everything about football, he has a different mentality of football. He explains to us all the time what we have to do, he's always there, whether we win or whether we lose, it doesn't matter.
"I am very happy to work with him and to have improved a lot these two years.
Laporte was keen to praise former City defender Kompany, who left the club in the summer to join Anderlecht as a player-coach, insisting that he had a major impact both on and off the pitch.
"He was splendid on the pitch, and off the pitch, as well. He was amazing in the locker room, he was top, like a captain...he helped me a lot. We miss him, but we have to do without [him]."
Even when playing against teams that press high up the field, the Cityzens always look to play out from the back and through their opponents. It has its risks, but Laporte revealed that he enjoys the pressure.
"I enjoy it a lot. Obviously, when you lose, you think about 'why did you do that?', but it's a risk you know, on the floor you never know what can happen, but I like this pressure.
"No one centre-back was my mentor, I was more like a forward, I focused more as a striker when I was young. I started as a striker, then a midfielder, then afterwards I go back."
The France international went on to discuss the previous season, where his side pipped Liverpool to the title. He continued: "Unbelievable season. 98 points is amazing and the run between Liverpool was amazing until the end...something special. This year has been very special for us because I think we deserve it. The last year was the most difficult ever, I think."
Regarding his team's current position, he added: "It's always difficult...we are not just one team on the pitch so, we have to improve all the time, work, work them and try to find the mistake for them.
Laporte is a hugely important player for Guardiola and the manager will be desperate to see the defender return to full fitness as City go in search of a trophy in the second half of the season.
Source : 90min