Nolito chose Manchester City over Barcelona for the chance to work
under Pep Guardiola and to play in the first team, the Spanish forward
has revealed.
Guardiola signed Nolito from Celta Vigo for £14m in the summer despite
Barcelona wanting to take him back. He had previously been coached by
Guardiola when he was at the club.
Nolito, who was given his Barcelona debut in the 2010-11 season, said:
"The truth is I enjoyed working with him in Barcelona even though it
wasn't much time. It's a reason for me to come here but not the only one.
"But it was also about City, they have a great team, it's a great project,
they got to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season and the
truth is I will try to help this club achieve great things."
Nolito indicated he expects to be a first-choice player at City. "It's
something I spoke about with my family and my management," the 29-
year-old said.
"I thought it was the best decision for me and my career. I have come to
the Premier League to play with City and under Pep Guardiola, who will
play me in the first team, and I am very happy with the decision I took.
"I spoke with David [Silva]. He spoke well about City and I had a
consultation with my family and my agent and it took me just two days
to make the decision. I have had luck to play with [Lionel] Messi a bit
but what I want in life is to enjoy my football, play football and be
happy. I took the decision. I was fortunate to play in Barcelona, although
not much in the first team, and now I am excited about playing at City
and I will try to do great things here."
He added: "I wish Barcelona all the best. I am very proud of Barcelona's
interest, but now I am here and I think I made the best decision to come
here."
Nolito is happy to operate wherever Guardiola wants him to play. "We
haven't spoken about it," he said. "I have only been here [China] two
days and I will play wherever the manager wants me to play.
"There are two positions that I can play. I
am comfortable in either position and I will
play in either of them and adapt to whatever
the manager wants.
"I can see we have a good team and we can
do anything. Why can't we win the league?
It's a different league, the hardest in the world and I think we will try to
win it. Let's see what happens.
"Yes, I think it will be hard. But we have to try to start well and do a
good job. It's a hard league, a very hard league, and there are teams that
are near your level. Anyone can beat anyone."
Nolito added that he is intent on learning a new language to help his
integration at City. "Yes, I will learn how to speak English. I will learn
how to speak it, but it will take time," he said.
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