Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about Oscar Bobb's return to action after a lengthy lay-off
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Manchester City's English defender #82 Rico Lewis (2L) and Manchester City's Norwegian midfielder #52 Oscar Bobb (2R) react following the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 2, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's English defender #82 Rico Lewis (2L) and Manchester City's Norwegian midfielder #52 Oscar Bobb (2R) react following the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 2, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Rico Lewis with Oscar Bobb
Pep Guardiola said that Oscar Bobb 'cannot forget the warmth' of the Etihad crowd after a long-awaited return from injury. Bobb finally played for the Blues eight months after his last appearance for them before a leg fracture cost him almost the entire campaign.
The Norwegian has been a cult figure in the squad since being promoted from the academy last season, and a simple catchy tune for the forward really took off after a stunning late winner at Newcastle in January 2024. Bobb collected a brilliant through ball from Kevin De Bruyne to and took it round the goalkeeper before slotting into a net to silence St James' Park, emphasising what a talent City had on their hands.
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He was their best player in pre-season and looked set for a major role in the team after assisting the equaliser in their Community Shield win over United, only to suffer a leg fracture on the even of their Premier League opener at Chelsea. The recovery from that, together with a few setbacks, have meant that Bobb has not been seen since.
The Leicester game on Wednesday was the first time Bobb has been in a City squad since the Community Shield, and when he went to warm up near the family stand he was given a terrific reception.
That only grew as Juanma Lillo called for him to come on for the final ten minutes, giving one of the biggest cheers of the night as he replaced Savinho.
Guardiola was delighted to see him back on the pitch, although wanted to wait until he felt the game was more finished before bringing him on.
That looks like being a reality for the final part of the season, with the need for Champions League qualification trumping the ability to ease Bobb back to his level.
"He didn't recover as expected and it's a long time. Chelsea away the first game and it was long but he cannot forget the warmth of our people," said Guardiola.
"It was really nice and Oscar is a top talented player. His pressing, rhythm.
"Unfortunately now we are in a period where decent minutes is difficult but we are really pleased he's back. I would have put him in earlier but with 2-0 still the game was not over."
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