David James has predicted that a certain youngster on Manchester City’s US pre-season tour could start their opening game of the 2024/2025 Premier League season against Chelsea.
The last time City faced a ‘Big Six’ side in their first league game of the campaign was against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2021/2022 season.
Spurs defeated the Sky Blues 1-0, courtesy of a winner from Son Heung-min.
However, Pep Guardiola was unable to pick his strongest possible line-up, due to several of his players participating at Euro 2020.
The Catalan boss could find himself in a similar situation when preparing his team to go toe-to-toe against Chelsea, despite a majority of his players expected to return from their break after Euro 2024.
David James makes fresh prediction about Oscar Bobb
It will be interesting to see whether Pep Guardiola decides to put his trust into the youth for the contest against Enzo Maresca’s side.
On paper, Chelsea’s current side would not be expected to get a result against Manchester City.
However, Mauricio Pochettino managed to mastermind his side to getting two league draws against the Premier League winners last season and a weakened City side could give the Blues a chance to cause an upset.
David James feels one young player who could start for Manchester City against Chelsea is Oscar Bobb.
The pundit said on City’s official full-time show after their 3-2 defeat to AC Milan: “I think, Oscar Bobb yes.”
“Simply because, less so in the second half because perhaps that relationship wasn’t there but what he’s done in 120 minutes has been the best of any City player.”
“He is saying to Pep [Guardiola], I am ready, trust in me, which I think Pep does anyway.”
Oscar Bobb deserves to start for Man City against Chelsea
As David James claimed, Bobb — described as “clever” by Robbie Mustoe — has been City’s best player in pre-season.
Based on the Sky Blues’ number 52’s displays and the form that he is in, he merits starting against Chelsea.
The likes of Savinho, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku — all potential options at right-wing at Pep Guardiola’s disposal are expected to return to the club in August.
Bobb, however, is match-fit and based on the quality he has displayed since breaking through in the first-team last season, it would be well worth the punt to let him start proceedings.
It will be interesting to see if Pep Guardiola decides to do so.
