Pep Guardiola is convinced Alexis Sanchez will be ‘perfect’ for Inter after joining the Nerazzurri on a season-long loan.

The Manchester City manager coached the forward for one season at Barcelona and admitted he still had a soft spot for him.

Sanchez is hoping to make his debut for Inter against Cagliari tomorrow and Pep has no doubts the Chilean will succeed in Serie A.

“I have a special affection for him as a player, of course, but especially as a human being,” he said in a press conference yesterday.

“He’s an incredible, humble guy and a fighter. Now he decides to move to Italy to one of the greatest teams in Europe with Inter right now. They have an incredible manager with Antonio Conte.

“I’m pretty sure they are going to do well, because the way I think Inter play is perfect for Sanchez.

“Play him close to Lukaku and in this position I think he is going to have a good period in Milan.”

Sanchez endured a dismal 18-month spell at Manchester United before moving to the Nerazzurri earlier this week.

Guardiola defended his former protégé from the barrage of criticism he has received from supporters over the summer.

“Football clubs don’t depend on one player,” he reminded reporters.

“You judge it was a failure for just Alexis, but there are many reasons. The quality is there, it is always there.

“It is not only for one player that doesn’t work with one team. They don’t play alone, it’s not tennis, it’s not golf.

“There is not one player in the Premier League that said this player is not good. I don’t know what happened, I was not there, so that’s why I cannot give my opinion, but I am not thinking it is just for one reason.”