Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has hailed Oleksandr Zinchenko for the role he played in ensuring that City won the 2021/2022 season Premier League title when it went down to the wire.
In 2021/2022 season Premier League Liverpool and Manchester City fought till the last day for the title.
Zinchenko, who has since moved to Arsenal last summer, and Raheem Sterling were introduced from the bench as City were losing 2-0 to Steven Gerrad’s coached Aston Villa on the last day.
Both substitutes played key roles as goals from Ilkay Gundogan (twice) and Rodri sealed a second consecutive title.
City now have the chance to win a fourth if they beat West Ham on Sunday.
Guardiola, speaking to reporters, said: “The chance to win four in a row? Any of us, in our lives, it’s not going to happen again. And they have to live it, enjoy it, think what you have have to do during 95, 96, 97 minutes.
“The game against Aston Villa – do you know who changed the game? (Oleksandr) Zinchenko.
“Alex changed that game. First-half was not good, half-time he arrived there, he changed the game.
“In the first goal, how he came, Raheem Sterling. The action for the first goal was from Raheem. Two players from the bench. So everybody is going to do his part.”