A lot has clearly changed since Nico Gonzalez first set foot in the Premier League a year-and-a-half ago and made his Manchester City debut against Newcastle of all teams. Before City's 4-0 win, the new arrival had been warned about the intensity with which Newcastle's midfielders played and pressed at their snarling best. It was a glimpse of the skillset - in and out of possession - which convinced City to sign defensive midfielder Gonzalez from Porto for £50m.