Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that his side have 'plenty' of players in the mould of Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, a player who was instrumental in the Spaniard's success in the Bundesliga.
The Catalan manager was made aware of Philipp Lahm's potential in 2013 after joining Bayern andproceeded to win three back-to-back Bundesliga titles with the German providingthe heartbeat to his side.
While before his arrival Philipp Lahm was considered to be a full-back, Guardiola's persistence as playing him as a holding midfielder ultimately paid dividends.
Guardiola utilised City right-backPablo Zabaleta in a midfield role against Celtic on Tuesday, and speaking after the game he admitted he has 'many' players in the mould of Philipp Lahm.
Yeah, a lot, many,�Goalquote him as saying. Normally this is a midfield player because they have to know what's happening in front of them and behind.
Claudio Ranieri has won 7 of 8 #PL matches against Manchester City, with the only draw coming in this fixture last season #LEIMCI pic.twitter.com/h5ZJZg1qxd
Normally defenders¦ not all defenders, because a few defenders can understand the game, but normally defenders focus on defence, strikers focus on scoring goals, but a midfielder understands the whole game. We have a lot here.
We do not have a problem with that. We have played more than well in the short time that we are together. It depends on the results, but the way we played, we have played good - or at least how I want.�
City will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways this weekend as they face struggling title-holders Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
But they will be without star striker Sergio Aguero, who is suspended for a dangerous tackle in the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last weekend.