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Rayan Ait-Nouri signed from Wolves in the summer but has been unable to play regularly for Manchester City as a specialist left-back
Pep Guardiola backed Rayan Ait-Nouri to be a long-term success at Manchester City despite the defender struggling to get on the pitch. The Algerian signed in summer from Wolves and despite happiness from supporters that the club had finally captured a left-back, he has failed to make an impression as he gets ready to go to the African Cup of Nations.
Ait-Nouri started the first two Premier League games but got injured in the home defeat to Spurs and has struggled ever since, with his only start in November coming in the home Champions League defeat to Leverkusen. He didn't even make it out for the second half in that game, replaced by Nico O'Reilly at half-time as Guardiola sought a response to a disappointing start.
O'Reilly has nailed down the left-back spot since his first start of the season there in the Manchester derby in September, and continues to perform consistently. However, Guardiola raised the prospect of moving the homegrown star into midfield to give Nico Gonzalez a rest, which would allow Ait-Nouri a way back into the team.
While Ait-Nouri does not have long to make a mark - he will leave for international duty after the Crystal Palace game next weekend - Guardiola pointed out that the 24-year-old has ages to settle in at City. The City boss has no complaints about how Ait-Nouri has started, but has not felt able to leave O'Reilly out of the team.
"Rayan played in the Club World Cup and was really good," said the City boss. "He played the first game against Wolves, he played the second against Spurs and after he was injured and Nico O'Reilly has performed really well. That is the only reason - no more than that.
"We are really pleased with Rayan Ait-Nouri, I know he is going to help us. He came not just for a certain period but for a long time, he knows the Premier League, he can dovetail inside or outside, he can play in different positions but now Nico is playing really good and that is the only reason why."
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