with some impressive talent coming through such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Manu Garcia (Both recently listed in TMWÂ’s 100 great young talents) as well as Bersant Celina and George Evans who have both made their first team debuts this season, City fans will be hoping to see more of the youth being given a chance more frequently at first team level.
Kelechi Iheanacho must have been tearing his hair out on Wednesday night, drawing 0-0 at home to Everton and only one recognised striker on the pitch Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini baffled most fans by only opting to use one substitute
Only a few days earlier had Pellegrini stated that the club needed to trust their youth and therefore didnÂ’t need to sign a striker in January
The young Nigerian has scored 5 in 15 appearances this season (mostly from the bench) and impressed in the blues 3-0 victory at Norwich the previous Saturday in the FA Cup, surely enough to reward him with at least some game time against Everton with Wilfred Bony out injured.
Watching City this season it seems they are crying out for a bit of energy and commitment from players, too many average performances means maybe it is time to show players that if they donÂ’t perform they arenÂ’t guaranteed a starting place
Admittedly the pressure on the manager to get results and win trophies means it is risky for him to put his faith in youth but if they are good enough for the subs bench surely they are good enough to play? If the first team players arenÂ’t putting in performances worthy of a starting place other players should get a chance
Injuries have also effected the blues heavily this season, Skipper Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva have all been regularly missing through injury as well as Samir Nasri who was ruled out for four months back in October
KompanyÂ’s long term absence has seen the defence heavily criticized and questions could be asked over why young Belgium centre back Jason Denayer continues to stay out on loan while 35 year old Martin Demichelis gets first team appearances
Patrick Roberts is another young player who would perhaps benefit from some first team football, linked with a loan move to Bournemouth the 18 year old has only played once since his £7 million move from Fulham, with Jesus Navas only scoring for the first time in 18 months maybe Roberts deserves his chance
City are still in all four competitions up for grabs which can have a draining effect on the players if the same players continue to play week in week out and a big squad is hugely important with such a big set of fixtures.
ItÂ’s almost frustrating watching Manchester City at times this season, there seems to be a stubbornness not to press the ball and to try and dictate the play but many times this season that just hasnÂ’t happened
If I was taking a team to the Etihad this season my first tactic drilled into my players would be press the ball, Otamendi and Mangala look far too unassured at the back proving that maybe rather than going out and spending millions on a defender to cover for Komapany, itÂ’s time to put a bit of trust in the younger players
There is no question there is incredible talent in the squad especially going forward and with Pep Guardiola heavily linked to replace Pellegrini at the end of the season it may see a new era at the club
Some of the older players such as Yaya Toure and Martin Demichelis may leave the club and the days of City teams ‘going through the motions’ may come to an end.
Source : DSG
Source: DSG