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Former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong has offered to resign for the club to help out Pep Guardiola’s side. De Jong was working as a pundit for Amazon Prime Video for City’s Premier League trip to Burnley on Tuesday. The former Holland international, 35, still plays professional football with Qatari club Al-Shahania SC.
The punditry panel were discussing City’s issues defensively this season, with Guardiola’s side suffering three defeats in their opening 14 league matches which left them 11 points off top spot before the night’s action.
And presenter Gabby Logan suggested a return for De Jong would help out City.
“What he could do with is a Nigel de Jong sitting in front of his central defensive pairing,” Logan said.
De Jong, pointing to the floor in the studio, replied: “I’m ready to go, my boots are in there, I’m ready to go. Just knock on the door Pep, I’m here. I’m ready.”
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"Yeah it’s a little bit surprising but on the other hand, Otamendi’s quite physical and especially in these kinds of games you need physicality.
“Now that [Ashley] Barnes isn’t playing it gives them a little bit more of a relief, especially with Rodri sitting in front of the defence, given them that extra safety net as they say, and Bernardo Silva back in who is very important for them.
“Yeah I think I can see [why Guardiola is sticking with Fernandinho in defence].
“He relies on Fernandinho just because of his character and because of his skills.
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“He’s not the quickest player but he’s always a security for him.
“If you look at Otamendi’s qualities and Stones, they’re always in for a mistake.
“Knowing Guardiola and the clubs that he managed before, he’s always put a central midfield back as central defender just to give that style of play he has and just play it from the back.”