Insider reveals Manchester City Academy star ‘impressing’ Pep Guardiola like no other ‘in the last 18 months’ | OneFootball

One graduate from Manchester City’s Academy set-up has been leaving a huge impression on manager Pep Guardiola, according to insiders at the club.

Mukasa has been regarded as one of the most exciting youth prospects since joining City from West Ham in 2023, but the 2024/25 season was where his reputation truly accelerated with 16 goals and 15 assists in 20 Under-18 Premier League appearances.

His eye for goal, creativity, and maturity on the ball marked him out as a player destined for senior opportunities, and City officials demonstrated their faith in the teenager by rejecting summer loan interest from Cardiff City under former Academy coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

The club have since looked to keep Mukasa close to Pep Guardiola’s squad, offering exposure to training alongside senior internationals, where new reports suggest the midfielder has been turning heads behind the scenes.

This approach mirrors how the club has integrated other Academy stars in recent seasons, such as Oscar Bobb, Nico O’Reilly, and Rico Lewis, gradually introducing them to the first-team picture.

According to the information of MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, a member of Manchester City staff recently remarked that Divine Mukasa ‘just looks like a first team player’, having observed how the 18-year-old carries himself around the senior squad.

It is further revealed that Mukasa has been ‘doing things in training that are making those present gasp’, and aside from Nico O’Reilly, no academy star is said to have impressed Pep Guardiola as much as Mukasa ‘over the last 18 months or so’.

Despite being naturally viewed as an attacking midfielder throughout his time within the club’s youth ranks, the report states that Guardiola has been testing out the teenager as a false nine in training.

And, according to sources quotes by MailSport, it has been insisted that Mukasa’s technical ability in small spaces and physicality should ‘see him go far’.

The coming weeks could further determine how quickly Mukasa is trusted in competitive action, with the club advancing into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with an away clash against Swansea City on the horizon in late October.

Having secured his full senior debut for Manchester City in round three for the 0-2 away win at Huddersfield Town, club coaching staff will already be viewing the visit to South Wales as a second opportunity for Mukasa.

Manchester City fans will no doubt be encouraged by the glowing endorsements from within the club, with Mukasa potentially on course to follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden as the next Academy star to become a first-team regular.