For Manchester City’s academy, the ultimate goal would be to unearth either the next Phil Foden or Cole Palmer as both players have gone on to become top players after coming through their ranks.
However, it is nigh-on impossible for clubs to produce youngsters of the standard of either Foden or Palmer as both players always seemed gifted enough to go far in the game.
Claudio Echeverri has earned praise from Xavi Hernandez amongst many and the Argentine would be hoping to make a serious impression during the Club World Cup.
Another young prospect who would be determined to do the same is Oscar Bobb after he spent a majority of last season sidelined through injury.
Bernardo Silva rates Bobb highly and believes he has a “very bright future” and perhaps all the Norwegian does require is a run of games to prove his class.
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Pep Guardiola must start Oscar Bobb for Man City vs Wydad AC
Pep Guardiola will be preparing his starting XI ahead of Manchester City’s clash against Wydad AC and Bobb is a name he would be considering.
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However, the 21-year-old merits a start after all the progress he made during City’s pre-season tour in 2024 and after starring in the FA Community Shield against Manchester United.
Guardiola was upset about Bobb’s injury but now that he is fit, the Manchester City wonderkid could give the Catalan tactician the choice of playing him in multiple roles against Wydad AC.
Brian Barry-Murphy compared Bobb to Palmer and much like the Chelsea superstar, he is equally effective as a number 10 and out wide.
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If Rayan Cherki is line to make his first start in a Manchester City shirt, Pep Guardiola would have the chance to play the Oslo-born gem alongside him to ascertain whether the pair could form an attacking midfield duo.
However, Guardiola could also deploy Bobb on the right-wing, a position that is still up for grabs as Savinho is not the finished article and in the event that he aims to pair Cherki up with Phil Foden.
Manchester City consider the Club World Cup important and the competition should be viewed as a chance for them to conduct some experiments and in last season’s pre-season tour, Bobb looked like City’s best bet on the right-wing before picking up an ill-timed injury.
Oscar Bobb made an honest admission about his Man City future
Bobb aims to stay at Manchester City as the versatile attacker feels he can become a regular starter at the Etihad Stadium and his belief should be rewarded with a deserved start against Wydad AC.
“Everyone wants to play regularly every week.”
Bobb confidently claimed: “I wouldn’t have said I wanted to stay at City if I didn’t think it was possible.”