Youth has helped Manchester City come back to life | OneFootball

As Manchester City have gone eight games unbeaten Pep Guardiola has turned to his experienced players to help his team regain their mojo. But amongst that, Manchester City’s young players have played a key role in City’s recent resurgence. In fact, the role of City’s younger players cannot be downplayed as Pep Guardiola’s side have come back to life in recent weeks.

Nico O’Reilly has been the stand-out youth player for Pep Guardiola’s side of late. He has made the left-back role his own and has added stability to Manchester City’s play. At Wembley yesterday O’Reilly was once again a key player for Pep Guardiola’s side. He again showed that he isn’t frightened of the big stage as he played a key role both going forward and defensively during Manchester City’s 2-nil win over Nottingham Forest.

Two more of Manchester City’s academy graduates have also stepped up of late. Rico Lewis was superb against Nottingham Forest yesterday. He scored City’s opener and showed that he belongs in midfield. James McAtee has also played an important role in Manchester City’s recent eight-game unbeaten run. With Erling Haaland injured, Pep Guardiola needed to find more goal-scoring options in his lineup. McAtee has helped in this regard, and if his finishing was a bit better, he’d likely have gotten the same high praise that Nico O’Reilly has received.

Summary.

Alongside Manchester City’s experienced players, their younger players have helped City come back to life, so to speak. It has been pleasing to see as O’Reilly, Lewis, and McAtee have the talent to play at Manchester City. But as those three have shone you can’t help but wonder if Pep Guardiola should have turned to youth earlier this season. But he has done that of late and the results have been clear to see.