Shaun Wright-Phillips was left impressed by Oscar Bobb for Manchester City against Yokohama F. Marinos.
City had their first pre-season game at the weekend against the Japanese outfit.
And it was a bit of a thriller, with eight goals being scored on the night.
John Stones, Rodri, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland (two) were all on target for City, as Pep Guardiola’s side made a 5-3 winning start to their pre-season tour of Asia.
Really, the scoreline was fairly irrelevant though.
These games are about getting minutes into players’ legs, and they’re about the manager getting a look at players on the fringes and also the youngsters.
And there was one youngster that really caught the eye against Yokohama.
Shaun Wright-Phillips wowed by Oscar Bobb against Yokohama
City are very excited about Bobb and his potential.
He has been ripping it up for the EDS, and has been named the EDS Player of the Year for the past two seasons.
He was given a chance to impress by Guardiola against Yokohama – and he did just that.
Bobb showed some really nice touches and looked to be direct.
And his performance caught the eye of Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is currently out in Japan doing work for City’s Matchday Live, along with Joleon Lescott.
He said of Bobb: “I thought he looked brilliant.
“I’d like to see him get at defenders more because he’s got that in his game to move them around.
“When he did square them up he tried to always pick out the right man and make the right decision, which is a fantastic start for a youngster in the first team.”
Interestingly, Bobb himself didn’t actually rate his own performance.
Oscar Bobb looks a serious talent
Bobb is undoubtedly one of City’s very best young players.
It has been reported that the club actually rejected a £15 million approach from an unnamed top club for Bobb.
Supposedly, City feel he is worth much more than that.
It will be very interesting to see if he’s included in Pep Guardiola’s squad for 2023/24.
Of course, Riyad Mahrez is leaving the club to join Al Ahli. So potentially there could be a spot for him.
That said, Cole Palmer may feel that he is next in line for a chance on that right wing, unless Guardiola wants to use Bernardo Silva there regularly.
