Throughout a career filled with trophies and success, former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared dressing rooms and dugouts with some of football’s most celebrated figures.
As a player, Guardiola lined up alongside legends such as Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo. Later, as a coach, he helped develop and manage elite talents including Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
Having worked with players of that calibre, Guardiola’s praise has always carried significant weight.
That is why his comments about Nathan Redmond stood out.
Redmond never became a household name on the international stage and finished his England career with just a single senior appearance.
Yet there was a time when one of football’s most respected coaches believed the winger possessed exceptional quality.
The moment came in November 2017 following Manchester City‘s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Southampton in the Premier League.
After the final whistle, television cameras captured Guardiola engaged in what appeared to be an intense conversation with Redmond near the touchline.
The exchange quickly became one of the major talking points of the evening.
Guardiola’s animated gestures led many observers to wonder whether he was criticising the Southampton player.
Instead, the Spaniard later revealed the opposite was true. He had been praising him.
Guardiola’s admiration had developed from previous encounters between the two sides.
More than a year earlier, Redmond had delivered an impressive display at the Etihad Stadium when Southampton earned a 1-1 draw against City in October 2016.
The winger’s pace, movement and direct running caused City’s defence numerous problems during that match, leaving a lasting impression on Guardiola.
When asked to explain the touchline conversation after the 2017 meeting, Guardiola offered a glowing assessment.
“I told Redmond how good a player he is. Last season he destroyed us here. I didn’t know him last season, I realised how good he is.”
Coming from a manager renowned for his demanding standards, it was an extraordinary compliment.
At the time, Redmond was entering what many believed would be the most productive period of his career.
He had already established himself as an exciting attacking talent, having progressed through Birmingham City’s academy before making his name in the Premier League with Norwich City and later Southampton.
His performances for England’s youth teams had also attracted widespread recognition.
Redmond represented his country across several age groups and was named England Under-21 Player of the Year in 2016, an honour previously won by several future senior internationals.
Those achievements suggested a full England career would soon follow. However, football rarely follows a predictable path.
One England cap and an unfulfilled international journey
Just months after earning Guardiola’s public admiration, Redmond finally received his long-awaited senior England opportunity.
His debut arrived in a World Cup qualifying match when then-manager Gareth Southgate introduced him as a second-half substitute for Adam Lallana. It appeared to be the beginning of a new chapter.
Redmond was subsequently included in England’s squad for another international fixture against Lithuania only a few days later.
Yet he remained unused, and remarkably, that would prove to be the final time he was involved with the senior national team.
Despite his talent and Premier League experience, additional opportunities never arrived.
The competition for attacking places during that era was fierce. England possessed an abundance of wide forwards and creative attackers, with players such as Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Adam Lallana all competing for similar positions.
Breaking into the starting line-up was difficult. Staying there was even harder.
Club circumstances also played a role. Southampton’s fortunes gradually declined during Redmond’s years at St Mary’s Stadium.
- Enzo Maresca planning to sign ‘world-class’ defender as John Stones replacementÂ
- Thomas Tuchel to drop Man City star against Croatia with first-team details leaked
The club moved away from the stability and progress that had once characterised their Premier League presence, and the winger found himself part of a side increasingly struggling for consistency.
As team performances deteriorated, so too did the visibility of several players who had once been regarded as potential England regulars.
After spending six years on the south coast, Redmond eventually sought a fresh challenge. In September 2022, he completed a move to Turkish club Besiktas, ending a significant chapter of his career.
The switch abroad offered a new environment and different expectations, but it did not reignite his international ambitions.
Less than a year later, he returned to English football by signing for Burnley on a two-year contract. By that stage, however, the possibility of adding to his solitary England appearance had largely disappeared.
His spell at Turf Moor came to an end in May 2025 when his contract expired. Redmond then experienced a brief stint with Sheffield Wednesday, making only a handful of appearances before moving on again.
Most recently, Redmond joined Blackburn Rovers. His time at Ewood Park proved short, with only two appearances recorded before the club decided not to extend his stay beyond the end of his contract.
