The League Cup, City's pain and the patter of tiny feet.
What the League Cup taketh away, it also giveth. Manchester City’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday saw them lose the tie and players to injury but also saw four youngsters win a chance to shine. It was a reminder of the dangers of the congested calendar but also of the League Cup’s opportunity for auditions. Swings and roundabouts, temporary closings and openings.
Pep Guardiola has been voicing his frustration at City’s injury woes, and has made legitimate points in the past about player workload and fatigue. Other managers are similarly lamenting absent friends. Even depleted, City could still line up against Bournemouth tomorrow: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic, Gundogan, Nunes; Foden; Haaland. All champions. All internationals. So sympathy will be limited.
This is also a test of Guardiola’s skills, finding the right balance of experience and novice, a juggling act many other managers face. It’s at times like these that managers turn to youth, either to make up numbers in training, fill the bench or even start. It’s a gamble playing inexperienced players whose concentration levels are not yet attuned to such demanding worlds as the Premier League and Champions League. But City’s youngsters have been brought up in the Pep-approved system, coached by the best, and drilled in the pursuit of excellence.
Of the four academy graduates involved against Spurs (along with the more established Lewis and obviously Foden) the midfielder Jacob Wright, 19, probably enhanced his reputation most. City fans were purring at the Mancunian’s 27-minute cameo, his composure and effective passing to feet.