Two seasons ago, Oscar Bobb faced Xavi Simons during our match against PSG. See where he is now, after all. As you watch these youthful players, you may wonder, “Who’s he?” Then, after two years, you realize, “Oh!”
It is not hyperbole to suggest that a few of the young players from Manchester City who take the pitch against Mainz in the UEFA Youth League this evening (5 p.m. UK time) may go on to represent some of the best teams in Europe in the Champions League later on.
The competition serves as a platform for young people to showcase their talents on the biggest stage, as Bobb and Simons demonstrated when they competed toe-to-toe in 2021. They also know that Txiki Begiristain of City, one of Europe’s leading Sporting Directors, who utilizes the competition to thoroughly evaluate the finest players in the academy, will be keeping a close eye on things.
Under-21 head coach Barry-Murphy recalls that the team that played PSG included players other than senior internationals Simons and Bobb, scorers in the Champions League. The City team included France’s Warren Zaire-Emery, Belgium’s Romeo Lavia, and England international Rico Lewis. In the next two years, seven more members of the squad earned their City senior debuts.
Carlos Borges, who made an impression for City in Europe last season, is a regular for Ajax in the Conference League and Europa League this year. To put it briefly, achieving success in the Youth League can greatly improve your career prospects and lead to a lucrative transfer (or possibly a lucrative deal at the Etihad).
Barry-Murphy told MEN Sport, “Txiki says it’s the singular most beneficial tool to measure our elite talent against the best in Europe.” It’s the rivalry he observes more than everyone else. For instance, to watch how Oscar Bobb fared in the last-16 [of the previous season] versus the men from the [Hajduk] Split.”
Begiristain calls Thomas Krucken, the new academy director, every day to talk about the club’s young players, demonstrating his constant attention to the academy. He approved the £17 million transfer of Borges, one of City’s finest youth players, during the summer, but he asked that Pep Guardiola give Bobb a chance on the preseason trip.
Bobb hasn’t looked back, contributing significant goals to the first team and, according to Guardiola, earning a new contract that challenges him to step up his game following his substantial salary increase and extension. Begiristain attributed his impressive new contract to his diligence and ability to internalize Guardiola’s instructions.
Back at the academy, Barry-Murphy’s under-19 team is in complete transition. “Last year we had a little bit of an all-star line-up,” he recalls. “Everyone of our guys was very seasoned and in their second year of the EDS. Bobb, Borges, Shea Charles, Finley Burns, Kian Breckin, and Dire Mebude were among us. Everyone expressed confidence that we could enter the advanced rounds.
“The players were extremely anxious during the group stages this season since they knew so little about it and had very little experience with it. That’s okay, but we were a little taken aback by our performance throughout the group stages.”
Tuesday’s trip to Mainz in Germany will be difficult, reminiscent of the exit at Hajduk Split in front of a sizable passionate crowd in Croatia last year. According to Barry-Murphy, some players were taken aback by the home crowd’s impact during the previous season, which is uncommon in youth games. They need to consider that experience when playing in front of more than 20,000 spectators in Germany.
Midfielder Jacob Wright tells MEN Sport, “I was on the bench, but there were a few players in that team.” “You can see how the crowd influences it when you play in it. Because of it, we’re far stronger. We had it in front of 12,000–13,000 spectators during the Youth Cup at the Emirates last season. The boys have experience performing in front of an audience and understand how it may impact their performance, so I believe we will be in a better position to handle that going in.”
With a home victory over tournament favorites Barcelona, Mainz advanced to the round of sixteen. However, winger Joel Ndala is adamant that his team can go to the quarterfinals if they play with the proper mentality.
“The atmosphere is going to be good, but I think we are more than capable of doing it,” he stated to the reporters. “We must remain together and committed to our task at hand. The boys were a little enthralled with the entire scene when they were in Croatia last year. We weren’t expecting that many people, so we were taken aback. Instead of playing the game, we played the occasion. We gave them the benefit of the doubt.
“We have to play our own game; we have no control over what the fans will do. We’re playing, but on unfriendly territory. To complete the task at hand, we must attempt to play the way we play. All we need to do is let the external issues go and concentrate on our responsibilities. Though we must proceed cautiously, we are optimistic.”
If you succeed, you’ll face either Porto or AZ Alkmaar in the quarterfinals at home. After that, they might play Leipzig in the group stage or AC Milan or Real Madrid in the semifinals. It’s not an easy road to become the first City squad to win the Youth League, but it begins in Mainz.
The purpose of the exam is to gauge the group’s progress and identify the players who possess the work ethic and mindset necessary to succeed in Bobb and Simons’ footsteps. Begiristain will be keeping a close eye on things.