Two ways Pep Guardiola is showing he is a great manager this summer
2. Utilising youth in preseason
It is now a common theme at many clubs to rotate and give some academy graduates a chance in the first team before the beginning of the campaign.
Guardiola seems to be overseeing the operation incredibly well, and giving the right players rest after the World Cup has opened up space for some fledgling talent.
Many of Manchester City’s squad, understandably, participated in the World Cup and the Sky Blues youngsters must grasp the opportunity.
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Phil Foden’s injury stunted his blink-and-you-miss-it progress through the ranks, and Brahim Diaz needs to clock up minutes before choosing whether to remain a City man or not.
The game against Borussia Dortmund, and upcoming matches versus Bayern Munich and Liverpool, are the perfect chances to ease these players back into first team football.
Foden was undoubtedly the unexpected breakout star last term, and who knows if the next one is in the preseason squad.
The boss will certainly be keeping an eye, and a tuneful blend of youthful talent, new signings and some experience indicates the Spaniard has got the squad right.
Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez are looking to get back after a summer off, and apart from that the spotlight is firmly on the teenagers.
Perhaps none of them will feature in the Premier League this season. However the pure fact that Guardiola is turning his attentions to youth development, rather than banding a squad of new signings together, really shows Manchester City are sizeably leaping in their progress as a club.
Hopefully a wealth of home-grown players make appearances in the domestic or European season. They are definitely looking to impress here, in order to gain that chance.