Pep Guardiola Explains Why He's Bringing Fewer Youngsters Through at Man City Than Barcelona

Pep Guardiola has admitted that the stature and ambition of Manchester City makes it difficult for the club to blood academy players in the first team.

City fans were treated to a rare glimpse of three academy graduates during their 4-1 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup third round last Saturday, with youngsters Phil Foden, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle all featuring.

However, Guardiola has been criticised for the lack of playing time given to City's promising youth players, with Foden in particular often singled out.

Nothing like the FA cup  Even better getting on the scoresheet with my boy @bellis_taylor  pic.twitter.com/wjoSHNzw0C
— Phil Foden (@PhilFoden) January 4, 2020

The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the most gifted young players in the country, but has only started twice in the Premier League all season.

Guardiola did give youth a chance at Barcelona, with Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Pedro all breaking into the first team at the Camp Nou during his time in charge. However, the City manager says the situation at the Etihad is different.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Guardiola said: "I would like to help the young players here in the same way as at Barcelona, but this is a club that is so demanding.

“You have to win games. Even when you win four titles like last season, it wasn’t enough because we didn’t win the Champions League."

The City manager also pointed to the huge wealth of talent the club possesses in midfield as to why Foden in particular has seen limited game time.

“The young players here have to compete against incredible central defenders and incredible midfielders," Guardiola added. "It’s a tough reality that exceptional players like Phil Foden don’t play the minutes they should because we have other incredible players."

Although City's youngsters have seen their playing time restricted in the Premier League, Guardiola has given the likes of Foden, Harwood-Bellis, Eric Garcia and Adrián Bernabé minutes in the Carabao Cup.

“The Carabao Cup is a fantastic competition to give them opportunities," the City manager added. "You see these players and maybe they are not going to play here, but they can make a long career in another club and we would be so proud of that.”

Source : 90min