Teenage centre-back considered for Manchester United clash reveals Pep Guardiola as City’s young stars “ready” | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has revealed that he considered starting young central defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in last weekend’s eventual defeat to Manchester United.

The Premier League champions made it nine defeats in their last 12 matches across all competitions when they visited Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, succumbing to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Unai Emery’s side.

It was largely comfortable work from the hosts too, as goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers either side of the half-time interval secured the points for Villa despite an injury time goal from Phil Foden halving the deficit.

Another lacklustre showing from the reigning champions has led to further questions about the current squad of senior Manchester City players, with some left wondering what needs to happen in order for other players to get a look-in, particularly the younger names.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on what specifically he has not seen from the likes of James McAtee and Manchester City’s other young stars that has meant they have been unable to get into his starting line-ups despite a torrid run of form.

“It’s a good question. But in the period we have, I want to make responsibility for the senior players,” Guardiola said. “For example against (Manchester) United I thought to put Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey); he’s played really good, but that pressure in that situation, it’s a little bit…”

Guardiola continued, “Maybe it’s unfair, maybe I’m wrong, it happened in the past, but I have the feeling in that moment, the players have to show and prove who we are, what we’ve done in the past, I have to give them the keys to try and lead us to turn around the situation.”

When further pressed on whether Manchester City’s young stars are ready to come into the side at the moment, the Etihad Stadium head coach responded, “Always they are ready!

“The young players always they have the ability, don’t defend anything in terms of the past, and they are free, and they can do it. Yeah, absolutely.”

Simpson-Pusey has already made 17 appearances for Manchester City across competitions and age groups this season, with senior first-team outings in the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and Carabao Cup.

A senior debut in Europe’s premier club competition was a baptism of fire for the youngster as City fell to a staggering 4-1 defeat away to Sporting in Lisbon, whilst a further 90 minutes would follow in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

The more questionable decision surrounds that of James McAtee, with the England youth international having secured himself 333 minutes across eight appearances this season, starting just the two games for Guardiola – both of which came in the Carabao Cup.