Manchester City academy graduate Nabil Touaizi is quietly building momentum in Portugal, and his latest comments only reinforce how much his development still links back to Pep Guardiola’s environment.
Now operating as a right midfielder, the 25-year-old has been one of the standout performers for Alverca this season. He has featured in 32 of their 33 league matches, playing a key role in securing survival with games to spare. He even contributed with 1 goals and 4 assists.
According to A Bola, Touaizi himself sees this as one of the strongest seasons he has produced, especially at senior level. However, much of his football identity still comes from his time at Manchester City.
Manchester City influence still shapes his game
Nabil Touaizi moved to City at just 16, leaving Valencia for what he describes as a life-changing experience.
“When the City offer arrived, neither I nor my family hesitated. It was one of the best years of my life. Being at one of the best clubs in the world was a dream.”
He did not remain confined to youth football either. Touaizi trained regularly with the first team and completed two pre-seasons under Pep Guardiola.
“Yes, we trained a lot. Me and other teammates like Eric García. We did two pre-seasons with the first team. It was unforgettable to be with players like Aguero, Leroy Sané, De Bruyne. At first it was a dream, then it becomes part of your daily life.”
That exposure clearly left a mark, particularly when it comes to Guardiola’s approach.
“From the outside, it looks like he knows a lot about football, but when you live it from the inside, you think even more that he is crazy about football. He always tries to improve and innovate. The truth is he is one of the best coaches in history.”
Touaizi also named Phil Foden among the best players he shared a dressing room with, alongside Brahim Díaz and Eric García, underlining the level of talent around him during that period.
Breakthrough season after positional change
Nabil Touaizi has taken a different path since leaving Manchester City, but this season suggests things are clicking.
Originally a striker, he has been converted into a wide role at Alverca. He usually plays as a right midfielder but is often deployed as a right wing-back. The switch has brought more balance to his game and helped him become a regular starter.
He believes the current campaign stands alongside his best moments at City, particularly their run to the UEFA Youth League final stages and his youth caps for Spain. However, he stresses that this is the first time he has delivered that level consistently in senior football.
“This is one of my best seasons. At professional level, it’s what every player wants – to be consistent, play as many games as possible and help achieve the club’s objectives.”
While his City years were about exposure and learning, this season is about output. They face FC Porto this weekend and could yet delay the Portuguese title celebrations with a result at the Dragão.
What this could mean next
Of course Nabil Touaizi is not currently being linked with a return to the Premier League, and there is no indication Manchester City are tracking him again.
However, players with his background often reappear on the radar when they start delivering regularly. His experience under Guardiola, combined with a full senior season, gives him a profile that clubs tend to revisit – even if it is for another CFG club.
For now, the focus remains on building momentum in Portugal. Still, the Manchester City connection continues to define both his mindset and the way he approaches the game.