Manchester City midfielder reveals Pep Guardiola personally blocked summer transfer exit | OneFootball

Rising Manchester City academy talent Jacob Wright has revealed that manager Pep Guardiola personally stood in the way of a possible exit over the summer months.

The teenager – who has been excelling within Manchester City’s Academy system over the last few months – is a clear favourite of the club’s first-team Catalan coach, and has impressed a number of his teammates, too.

Manchester City centre-back Manuel Akanji specifically name-dropped the midfielder earlier this year when discussing young players developing within first-team training, labelling Wright as a player who was ‘not scared’ and ‘just trying to do his thing’.

Despite links to numerous clubs throughout the English Football League, and in turn a number of concretely interested parties, Jacob Wright was confirmed to be remaining at Manchester City for the now-ongoing season in late August.

But following a recent conversation, it appears as though the decision to retain Wright within the first-team set-up was a personal decision made by a very senior figure within the first-team camp.

Speaking during a new interview with MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Jacob Wright revealed the nature of the summer transfer window for him and City, and the personal impact Pep Guardiola had on the possibility of a loan move away from the club.

“There was obviously temptation (to leave on loan) – there always is going to be – but when the manager (Pep Guardiola) and staff around him want you to stay and be around that first team there’s not much of a choice,” Wright revealed.

He continued, “There’s no temptation any longer when you get the information that they want you to stay and be around it because they see you as someone that could be around it.

“The temptation went out the window as soon as I heard that – I was staying for the season.”

The 19-year-old went on to explain the impact that certain figures within the Manchester City dressing room are having on his personal development and ability to settle into the first-team picture across the course of this season and beyond.

“There’s a lot who have been good with me. Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Rodri when he was fit was good – we had conversations – but ones I’ve spoken to quite a bit recently would be (Mateo) Kovacic and Bernardo (Silva),” Wright said.

“The way they think, they know exactly what the manager wants. They’ve helped me a lot, as has (Ilkay) Gundogan. Pep is always giving information and pointers.

“There is always room for improvement, little tiny details that make a massive difference at that level. I try to take on board as much information as possible.”

Wright’s achievements in Premier League 2 so far this season were recognised by division decision makers earlier this month, after the teenage prospect was nominated for the Player of the Month award for September.

Across the course of the Elite Development Squad’s matches, Wright provided a total of three assists in as many matches, but was ultimately beaten to the accolade by his teammate Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, who scored three goals and offered an assist in the same period.