Pep Guardiola calls-up 18-year-old defender for Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham | OneFootball

Manchester City have included 18-year-old Academy defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey for their Carabao Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham, it has been reported.

The inclusion of the teenager would follow the trend indicated by Pep Guardiola in the build-up to Wednesday night’s League Cup affair, after the Catalan has insisted that he would not be willing to take any fitness risks when it comes to his line-up.

Prior to the fourth round draw having been finalised, Guardiola indicated that he would make significant changes to his selection, however the growing list of injury problems have largely forced his hand when it comes to his line-up.

The challenge of Premier League opposition and Ange Postecoglou’s side’s mentality towards the game will also likely force Guardiola into putting together a stronger side than he would have liked.

However, the Catalan will certainly not shy away from including up and coming Academy talents in his matchday squad, and likely handing them minutes as part of an invaluable first-team opportunity this week.

According to the information of ManchesterWorld’s Michael Plant, 18-year-old defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has been included in the Manchester City first-team squad for Wednesday’s night’s League Cup clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Simpson-Pusey most notably captained Manchester City’s youth team to an FA Youth Cup success during the last season, and was part of the club’s travelling squad for their pre-season tour of the United States, but is yet to play a senior competitive game for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The last round against Watford in what resulted in a 2-1 victory for City at the Etihad Stadium saw Pep Guardiola field 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite in the left-back role, and it remains to be seen whether a further opportunity for the teenager could follow this week.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Guardiola told reporters, “I don’t want to put too much pressure for the young players in this stage against this opponent, for the way they play.

“There are some [youth players], but we play against Spurs. They are coming from a defeat and I know what is happening mentally, playing against Man City.”