Pep Guardiola claims Oscar Bobb the main reason Man City sold Palmer to Chelsea
Manchester City’s academy keeps producing as Oscar Bobb became the latest to make an impact on the Premier League
Oscar Bobb celebrates his City winner
Oscar Bobb celebrates his City winner
Pep Guardiola said that Manchester City have a player for many years – if they can keep Oscar Bobb happier than they kept Cole Palmer.
Palmer was the talk of the Premier League as City fans were making their way up to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon as he scored his ninth goal of the season to add to his growing reputation since a £42m move from the Etihad to Chelsea. By full-time at St James’ Park, Oscar Bobb had introduced himself to the top flight with a stunning late winner after the champions had trailed with under 20 minutes to go.
Bobb came onto Guardiola’s radar at the end of last season when he was pointed out as a talent by sporting director Txiki Begiristain. The youngster impressed with every opportunity he got and, helped by the departures of Riyad Mahrez, Palmer, and James McAtee, he has established himself as a credible option to the Treble winners despite only making his senior debut in this campaign.
Guardiola has thrown Bobb in at the deep end on a number of occasions, when the game was in the balance at Wolves, Aston Villa and then Newcastle in the Premier League so far. The reward at St James’ Park was glorious, and while the manager knew Bobb’s academy background would help his mentality he was also reassured by the reaction of the rest of the squad on tour.
“At the end of the season Txiki said to me that Oscar Bobb was the best player by far. I said ok, go to Japan and start to train with us,” said Guardiola.
“Immediately, Oscar got something that is the most important thing: the reliance of his teammates. That’s more important than the manager. When the teammates can say that a player can play with us that is the best success – and it was immediate.
“He can play in five positions – striker, right wing, left, in the pockets – he is so dynamic, his work ethic is unbelievable. How he played in the Carabao Cup here was outstanding. He doesn’t feel the pressure much. I don’t know what has happened with the academy players but you look at Cole [Palmer], who is doing really well at Chelsea and I’m so happy for him, and Rico [Lewis] and Phil [Foden].”
Whatever regret there may be over Palmer’s exit, the emergence of Bobb shows that City’s academy are producing so much talent that they don’t have to spend too much time thinking about players that have chosen to go. Guardiola cannot rule out Bobb following Palmer’s path, but he is confident that the Norwegian can have a long future at the Etihad if he is happy enough to stay.
“It’s important for us to bring players from the academy to help us. When Jack [Grealish] had problems this season and John Stones and Manu [Akanji] and Erling [Haaland] were out, in an important part of the season in November and December when there are a lot of games, important players were not there and Oscar helped us. That is really great.
“We have a player for many years for us – if he decides to stay. Now he’s happy with his minutes like Cole Palmer was happy with his minutes. But after two or three years, they want more and it’s natural, it’s completely understandable. Maybe I don’t give them the minutes and they decide to go. If he decides to stay, we have a player for many years.”
Before Pep Guardiola took over first team duties at Manchester City, Man United were the only team to win the Premier League 3 times in a row under the legendary Sir. Alex Ferguson.
Guardiola arrived England and won the league consecutive times between 2018 and 2019, and would have equalled Ferguson’s record if Liverpool didn’t stop him in 2020.
The Spaniard gave it another shot and finally matched Ferguson’s record last year as he led Man City to The Treble.
This season, the Citizens hasn’t been at their possible best, but they could still set a new record of winning the league 4 years in a row if their talisman, Kevin de Bruyne stays fit.
In the Belgian’s absence, City looked like a disjointed team but since making his return from injury, the European champions have been unstoppable, winning all the matches the midfielder has featured in.
Just yesterday, de Bruyne provided the needed inspiration from the bench to help City come from behind to beat Newcastle, and provided he stays fit, City could eventually defend their league title for the 4th time.
