Claudio Bravo Says Barcelona Are 'Much Bigger' Than Manchester City in Interview

Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has stated that his new club are not as big as former employers Barcelona.

The Chile international made the switch from the Camp Nou to the Etihad Stadium in the summer, and he’s a key part of Pep Guardiola’s plan in Manchester. However, when asked to compare the two sides, Bravo admitted to TVN that in terms of size, he’d made a step down (h/t David Anderson of the Daily Mirror).

“The two clubs are similar in terms of budget, but in terms of magnitude, Barcelona is much bigger,” he said.

Bleacher Report UK suggested this wasn’t the best way to make a positive impression on his employers:

In two years with Barcelona, Bravo developed a huge affinity with the supporters and was the man between the sticks as the Blaugrana secured back-to-back Primera Division titles. Bravo’s shot-stopping, anticipation and, crucially, his expert distribution from the base of the team was vital to their success.

At City, Bravo has had an inconsistent start, initially struggling to get to grips with the pace of the Premier League before showing some improvements in recent matches.

Here's a look at how he’s fared in new surroundings compared to the man he replaced, Joe Hart:

Barcelona have been an established force in the sporting world for decades. City, by contrast, are still in the early stages of trying to establish themselves as a global football superpower.

They’ve been able to sign some of the world’s best players since the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover in 2008, winning two Premier League titles—the third and fourth top-flight championships of the club’s existence. Barca, by contrast, have 24 league successes as well as five UEFA Champions League triumphs.

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Indeed, there's progress to be made before City can be considered as one of the biggest clubs in England, never mind Europe.

But there’s no denying they are on the right track, with Guardiola’s appointment in the summer a surefire sign that City are moving forward quickly. Bravo believes the club has attracted the best manager on the planet.

"For me, he is the best coach in the world," the 33-year-old said. "He is also very sincere. You can ask him for things related to football. For your family too. It was a change that involved many things. Move the family, the language issue, to driving on the other side of the road.”

Guardiola is already having an impact at City, and the team’s 3-1 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Nov. 1 did feel like a watershed moment for the football club.

As noted by OptaJoe, the coach still seems willing to adapt despite his triumphs in the game and reputation for one brand of football:

Forging a reputation like Barcelona’s takes decades, and while Bravo’s words may be a little candid for some City supporters, he’s being brutally honest. Nevertheless, the gap between the two sides is shortening based on the exceptional progress being made at the Etihad Stadium.

Bravo was drafted in with an aim to expedite the narrowing of that margin in the short term. However, it’ll take generations of success before City are considered on a par with the likes of Barcelona across the world.