Chapter 18 : ManCity

After ending the call, Nico took a deep breath, still processing everything Guardiola had said. He knew this was a huge decision—one that could shape his career forever.

Wanting to clear his mind, he got up and walked downstairs. As he stepped outside, he spotted his grandfather sitting on the lawn, his usual place of relaxation. The evening breeze was gentle, and Johan looked peaceful, gazing at the sky in quiet thought.

Nico approached him and sat down beside him on the grass.

"Abuelo," he called softly.

Johan turned his head slightly, giving him a small smile. "You look like you have something on your mind."

Nico exhaled before nodding. "I just got off the phone with Guardiola."

Johan's expression remained calm, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "And? What did he say?"

Nico leaned back on his hands, looking up at the sky for a moment before speaking. "He told me that he won't make me sit on the bench if I join City. He said he sees my potential—he's seen it since I was eight. He told me that if I come, I'll be a starter in his system and that he'll make me the best in the world."

Johan remained silent for a few seconds, his gaze unreadable. Then, he let out a small chuckle. "That sounds like Pep."

Nico turned to look at him, waiting for his thoughts.

Johan leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on his knees. "You know, Pep was always a perfectionist. When he was a player, he was obsessed with details, always thinking about the game in ways others didn't. And as a coach, that obsession only grew. If he's telling you this, it's because he truly believes in you."

Nico nodded slowly, taking in his grandfather's words.

"But," Johan continued, "this is not just about what Pep wants. It's about what you want. Do you feel ready to leave Spain? To go to the Premier League at 15? To adapt to a new team, a new country, a new way of playing?"

Nico hesitated for a moment before answering. "I don't know… I know I can handle it physically, and I know I'll improve under him. But… leaving Barcelona, even if it's just on loan, feels huge."

Johan nodded, understanding. "You don't have to decide right now. Sleep on it. But whatever you choose, make sure it's a decision you won't regret. Whether you go to City or stay in Spain, your path is yours to walk."

Nico looked down at the grass, deep in thought. He appreciated his grandfather's wisdom—Johan never told him what to do, only helped him see things clearly.

After a few minutes of silence, Johan patted Nico's shoulder and stood up. "Come on, let's go inside. Your grandmother will be upset if we don't eat dinner soon."

Nico smiled and stood up as well, following his grandfather back inside. The decision still weighed on his mind, but for now, he would take Johan's advice—he would sleep on it.

________________

June 10, 2015

Nico woke up early, the morning light filtering through his curtains. He lay in bed for a few moments, his mind still occupied with the decision he had made the night before. He had weighed everything—his development, his ambitions, and the opportunity to work under Guardiola. Now, he was certain.

He got out of bed, freshened up, and headed downstairs to the dining area. The aroma of fresh coffee and toast filled the air as his grandmother, Danny, placed a plate of food on the table. Johan was already seated, reading the morning newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand.

Nico sat down and picked up his fork, taking a moment before speaking. "I've made my decision," he said, his voice steady.

Johan folded his newspaper and looked at him, while Danny paused from pouring juice.

"I'm taking the Manchester City offer."

A brief silence followed before Johan gave a small smile. "You've thought it through?"

Nico nodded. "Yes. I know it's a big step, but I want to play under Pep. He believes in me, and I believe this is the best move for my development."

Danny, ever the doting grandmother, sighed. "England… That's so far away." She reached out to gently touch his hand. "Are you sure you're ready for this, cariño?"

"I am," Nico assured her. "It'll be tough, but I know it's the right step."

Johan took a sip of his coffee, nodding approvingly. "If this is what you want, then I support you. Guardiola is a great coach, and you'll learn a lot from him."

Danny, though reluctant, gave him a warm smile. "Just promise me you'll call often."

Nico chuckled. "Of course, abuela."

Johan leaned back in his chair. "Then it's settled. Let's call Enrique and make it official."

_______________

After finishing breakfast, Nico took his phone and stepped out onto the lawn, where the morning breeze carried the faint scent of freshly cut grass. He dialed Enrique's number, the phone ringing only twice before the Barça coach picked up.

"Nico," Enrique greeted. "Have you made your decision?"

"Yes, coach," Nico responded confidently. "I'm going to Manchester City."

There was a brief pause before Enrique chuckled. "I thought you might. Guardiola will be thrilled. Alright, we'll take care of the paperwork on our end. Can you come to Ciutat Esportiva later today to finalize everything?"

"Of course, I'll be there."

"Good. See you soon, Nico."

Hanging up, Nico exhaled. It was official now. He was heading to Manchester City.

Later that day, he and Johan drove to Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, where they were greeted by club officials. Enrique was already waiting for him in his office.

Over the next couple of hours, Nico reviewed and signed the necessary paperwork for his loan move. The contract outlined the terms of his stay at City—one year with an option for an extension if both clubs agreed. Everything was straightforward, and soon, the deal was finalized.

As he placed his final signature on the last document, Enrique patted him on the shoulder. "This is a big step for you, Nico. Make the most of it. We'll be watching."

Johan, standing beside Nico, smiled. "And we'll be waiting for you to come back even better."

Nico nodded, determination burning in his emerald-green eyes. "I will."

________________________

A few days later, on June 15, 2015, Johan and Nico boarded a flight to England. The excitement was palpable—this was a major step in Nico's career. For the first time, he would be playing outside of Spain, in one of the most physically demanding leagues in the world.

After landing in Manchester, they were greeted by club representatives at the airport. A private car was waiting to take them to City Football Academy, Manchester City's state-of-the-art training base that had been completed just a year prior in 2014. The facility was one of the most advanced in the world, covering 80 acres and equipped with world-class training pitches, medical and recovery areas, and everything a player needed to succeed at the highest level.

As they arrived, Nico took a moment to absorb his surroundings. The infrastructure was on another level—pristine grass pitches stretched as far as the eye could see, and the modern glass buildings reflected the Manchester sky. The atmosphere was different from Spain; the Premier League had its own intensity, and Nico could already feel it in the air.

Under the guidance of the club staff, they made their way through the facility, passing by young academy players and first-team members who were either training or preparing for the new season. Soon, they reached the coach's office.

Nico took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

From inside, Pep Guardiola's voice rang out, "Come in."

_________________

They both stepped into the office, where Pep Guardiola greeted them with a warm smile.

"Johan, Nico, welcome. It's great to have you here."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they got down to business. The necessary paperwork was laid out on the desk, and after carefully reviewing it, Nico signed the contract, making his one-year loan move to Manchester City official.

As the final signature was penned, Guardiola leaned back in his chair and looked at Nico with a confident expression.

"Physically, the Premier League is different from La Liga. The game is faster, more intense, more physical. But you already have the technical ability and intelligence to succeed. You only need to improve your physicality a little, and you'll adapt in no time. Johan, you don't have to worry—he's in good hands."

Johan Cruyff, who had been listening attentively, smiled. He trusted Guardiola's words. He had known Pep for years, and if there was anyone who could shape Nico into a world-class player, it was him.

However, there was another matter to discuss.

"What about his accommodation?" Johan asked.

Guardiola waved a hand dismissively and grinned.

"That's already taken care of. He can stay with me. My villa is unnecessarily huge, and my family would love to have him. Besides, this way, I can keep a close eye on his development."

Johan nodded in approval. "That sounds perfect." He knew that staying with Pep would not only help Nico settle in but also give him direct mentorship from one of the best managers in the world.

They continued speaking for a few more minutes, discussing Nico's adaptation to the Premier League, his potential role in the team, and the expectations for the upcoming season. Eventually, Johan Cruyff stood up, shaking hands with Guardiola once more.

"Take care of him, Pep," Johan said with a smile.

"Of course, Johan. You have my word," Guardiola reassured him.

With that, Johan left the office, leaving Nico alone with Guardiola. The room fell silent for a moment before Pep leaned forward, clasping his hands together.

"Your grandfather told me something interesting," he said, his eyes filled with curiosity. "He said you're not just a great player, but that you also have a sharp tactical mind. Have you been working on something?"

Nico smiled at the question.

"Actually, yes. I've been thinking about ways to break down gegenpressing."

Guardiola raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what's your idea?"

Nico leaned forward and started explaining. "Most teams that use gegenpressing focus on suffocating the opponent by cutting off passing options and winning the ball back as quickly as possible. But their biggest weakness is what comes after that first wave of pressing. If you can bypass that, there's space to exploit."

Guardiola nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"One method I've thought about is overloading one side of the pitch with short, quick passes to draw in their press. But instead of progressing through the center, we immediately switch play to the opposite wing, where our full-back or winger should be positioned in space. That forces them to reorganize their shape quickly, and if they can't, we have a direct route to goal."

Guardiola listened intently, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "That's… very clever. It forces their midfielders to cover too much ground, and by the time they recover, they've already lost control of the situation."

Nico nodded. "Exactly. The key is timing and movement. If the switch happens a second too late, they'll have time to reset. But if we do it right, we can force them into constantly chasing the ball instead of winning it back."

Guardiola leaned back, rubbing his chin. "This… this is something we need to try in training. You really do think about football differently, don't you?"

Nico shrugged with a small smile. "Football is as much a mental game as it is physical. If I can't outmuscle my opponent, I'll outthink him."

Guardiola grinned. "I like that. You and I, we're going to have a lot of fun together this season."