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Five Takeaways as Manchester City lose to Wolves

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (R) gives instructions to Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (R) gives instructions to Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
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5. Guardiola must give his young players an opportunity

Although he played just a few minutes in a substitute cameo appearance, Stockport native and City youth starlet Phil Foden was immense in the Champions League win over Zagreb, scoring late into the match.

This represented the latest example that City have talented young academy products waiting in the wings, longing for their opportunity at senior level. Although City have one of the best teams in the world, given the current injury situation at the back, there is no reason to believe that the likes of Eric García and Taylor Harwood-Bellis don’t deserve an opportunity in the Premier League.

Although it was a Carabao Cup tie against Championship side Preston North End, the young central partnership anchored the Blues to a clean sheet in the victory. City have top young players, and Guardiola has shown a willingness to promote from the youth ranks earlier in his career during his time at Barcelona, although he has moved toward spending to solve his teams’ issues rather than promotion from within.

This may because of the fact that he actually coached the Catalan club’s youth sides before taking over the senior team and therefore was able to quantify what he had when handing a young player a debut, but if there was ever a time to break into the City first team, it is now.

Foden looks destined to be a superstar at the Etihad, having flourished at the youth levels and even scoring a crucial winner against Spurs last season in the Premier League. Although the local product has been told that his time will come once David Silva departs the club next summer, an argument can be made that Foden currently suits the number eight role better than Gündoğan, especially if Guardiola chooses to not play Bernardo Silva in that role.

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If the points gap in the league does become insurmountable, this season could prove a key opportunity for young players such as Foden to gain invaluable experience in the top flight, but it is ultimately up to the manager to provide that opportunity.

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