Practice makes perfect for Man City's 'incredible' Echeverri

Rayan Ait-Nouri and Claudio Echeverri both made their first starts for Manchester City in the Club World Cup Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave full debuts to Rayan Ait-Nouri and Claudio Echeverri in Sunday's handsome victory at the Club World Cup - and both impressed. A6-0 thrashingof UAE side Al-Ain sent City through to the last 16 with a game to spare, making it back-to-back clean sheets and eight goals scored. City's struggles last season were partly down to a lengthy injury list and needing to deploy players in unfamiliar positions such as Nico O'Reilly at left-back, with the academy player more accustomed to playing in midfield. But the acquisition of impressive Algerian Ait-Nouri will provide more balance down the left and goalscorer Echeverri showed why he could be a decent squad option this season. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, said of Echeverri: "He reminds me a bit of Julian Alvarez - same type of player, his finishing is incredible "He is a really good guy, a bit shy in the beginning but I think he can help us a lot." City's affinity with attacking players from Argentina has seen some go down in the club's record books. Sergio Aguero provided themost memorable and dramatic momentof their first Premier League title success, Carlos Tevez famously moved to the club having previously played for rivals Manchester United, while Julian Alvarez's £81m transfer to Atletico Madrid is their most expensive sale. Guardiola may now have a future star on his hands in teenager Echeverri, who hails from the South American country that produced footballing greats Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Echeverri signed for City in January 2024 but remained at River Plate on loan for another year and was given a surprise debut as a substitute in May's FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace. The 19-year-old played only 45 minutes of City's rout on Sunday, but caught the eye with a sublime free-kick on his first start for the club. Guardiola said: "Since he arrived and [in] the three or four months with us, at the end of training sessions he was practising free-kicks with the goalkeeper, wall and alone. "The other ones did not practise. He was practising and practising and the work pays off. "Fantastic goal and incredible player. He could not continue after half-time because of a problem with the ankle, but the free-kick was really good." Guardiola has made clear he wants to work with a smaller squad. The out-of-favour trio of Grealish, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips appear to have no futures at the club, while James McAtee was not selected for the trip. The Spaniard needs to further trim his playing personnel from the 27 that are currently in the United States, but Echeverri may have given his manager a headache about whether to keep him with the squad this season or sanction a loan move away. City have been without a recognised left-back since the departure of Benjamin Mendy, but Guardiola seems to have found the perfect solution. "Wow," said Guardiola of Ait-Nouri's performance. "He had to defend a back four, then make a back five. He played really, really good, not for the first time. "It was his first game but he has played in the Premier League for many years." Playing at the incredible Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ait-Nouri showcased the class he possesses with driving runs up and down the left flank. He played the full game and highlighted why he will be such an asset with a total of 92 touches of the ball, including seven in the opposition box, second only to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian, who scored from the penalty spot and missed numerous other chances, will be relishing getting on the end of some of Ait-Nouri's whipped crosses. The 24-year-old could have scored in the first half when he cut inside and beat a couple of defenders, but lost his footing at the vital moment. Guardiola said: "He can help us play in that role outside but then had to play as a holding midfielder and go into the pockets. He moves really well into the spaces. "He is intelligent and clear to defend and take the ball. He is so clever in the final third, taking the right decisions to create more spaces. Really pleased for the game he played." His statistics while at Wolves show what he will add to this City side and why the £31m fee could turn out to be a bargain. Last season, Ait-Nouri led the way for defenders with the most goal involvements (11) in the Premier League - in total he scored nine goals and provided 19 assists in five seasons at Molineux. His attacking capabilities are further enhanced by the fact only three other full-backs created more chances last term and only West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka completed more dribbles than Ait Nouri's 63. Ait-Nouri helped ensure City progressed into the knockout stages and they will be aiming to seal top spot in their final group game against Juventus on Thursday.