🗣️ “Madness, absolutely insane — he kept running like a horse. No, I’m afraid of him.”
Pep Guardiola on the Newcastle player who almost gave him a nightmare
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has heaped dramatic praise on a relentless Newcastle United star who pushed his side to the limit in their recent Premier League clash.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola couldn’t hide his amazement at the physical intensity shown by the Magpies’ midfielder, describing him as a force of nature who refused to slow down for even a second.
> 🗣️ “He is an animal. He just kept running, running like a horse. I’m afraid of him,” Guardiola said with a laugh, but clearly impressed.
“It was madness. Absolutely insane how he never stopped pressing and chasing. For a coach, that kind of energy is a nightmare.”
The Spaniard explained how his players struggled to find space in midfield because of the Newcastle player’s constant movement, forcing City to change their build-up play several times during the game.
Midway through the contest, the identity of the tireless runner became clear — it was Jacob Ramsey, whose box-to-box performance disrupted City’s rhythm and gave Guardiola plenty to think about on the touchline.
> 🗣️ “These are the players you don’t want to play against,” Guardiola added.
“Not because of just talent, but because of heart and legs. He showed both.”
Despite City eventually seeing out the game, Guardiola admitted the Newcastle midfielder’s performance was one of the standout individual displays on the night, proving once again that intensity and work rate can trouble even the best teams in Europe.
Fans online quickly picked up on Guardiola’s comments, with many praising the Newcastle man for earning respect from one of football’s most demanding managers — and turning fear into the highest form of compliment.
