PEP TALKS GIVE NICO A BOOST

NICO GONZALEZ is learning from his Manchester City teammates as well as the staff - as boss Pep Guardiola tips the midfielder to scale new heights.

- BY ALEX JAMES

Gonzalez (above) is in line to start today against Bournemouth with Guardiola stating the 23-year-old is the best option in the middle when Rodri is not fit.

And while Rodri is set to return to the squad this weekend, he is unlikely to be thrown straight into the XI.

Gonzalez has put himself to the fore of Guardiola's thinking with his attitude and ability, and his performances this season have shown why City spent £50million to bring him in from Porto in January.