After evaluating his academy youngsters in the USA, Pep Guardiola will return to Manchester with two new first-team players. Following a summer filled with international events, Guardiola took a youthful Manchester City squad to the United States while most of his senior players were still on holiday.
Although Guardiola has often expressed frustration that he cannot implement new ideas during these tours, he acknowledges the benefit of assessing City’s top young players in a first-team setting.
Initially, Guardiola had planned to integrate five or six young players into the team. However, he has now decided to focus on just two – Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee. This decision comes after observing their performances throughout the pre-season tour.
Nico O’Reilly has particularly stood out. Building on his goal against Barcelona, he received praise for another outstanding performance against Chelsea in his fourth start of the summer. Meanwhile, James McAtee also made a significant impact by providing two assists in the second half, adding to his goal against AC Milan.
Guardiola shared his thoughts on the young players’ progress, saying, “Every game was far better than the one before it. Kalvin [Philipps] grew up; Erling [Haaland] grew up. Jack [Grealish] barely played a couple of games. Rico [Lewis] has been simply amazing with Oscar [Bobb]. McAtee today realizes his football playing ability. Nico too performed at a good level.”
He continued, “All the young players spent some minutes on the pitch. Today, at sixteen years old, Stephen [Mfuni] made his debut. Everybody played. Now some players will stay with the first team, others will go to the second team, and some will be sent on loan. Hopefully, they will return next season.”
Guardiola confirmed that both McAtee and O’Reilly will be part of the first team. However, he noted that other young players are not yet ready for such a role. “The others still lack the readiness to play with us. They have to be either with the second team or on loan. We shall observe their growth as it constantly relies on them,” he explained.
This tour has allowed Guardiola to closely monitor the development of his young talents, giving them a chance to experience first-team football and demonstrating their potential. The decision to promote O’Reilly and McAtee is a testament to their hard work and impressive performances.
Guardiola’s approach to integrating young players into the first team highlights his commitment to nurturing talent and building a sustainable future for Manchester City. By giving these youngsters a platform to showcase their abilities, he ensures that the club continues to thrive with a blend of experienced stars and emerging prospects.
The experiences gained during the tour will be invaluable for the young players, whether they remain with the first team, return to the second team, or go out on loan. It provides them with a clear understanding of the standards and expectations at the highest level of football.
For those like O’Reilly and McAtee, the opportunity to be part of the first team is a significant step in their careers, offering them a chance to further develop under the guidance of one of the world’s top managers.
