Rags v City U21

[supercity88]

The question is always going to be whether the youth can make the step up.

But that won't be known until they are tested against them.

Delap for example, kind of like Lukas Nmecha, looked very good at youth level because he could bully them but it doensn't translate over against the adults he's currently playing, although his team (Stoke) are shit. It will probably take him some time to adapt when he doesn't have that advantage.

Lukas will be 24 soon, and is only now kind of doing well with Wolfsburg, with his brother Felix doing quite well also, but it took him a couple of years.

Rabbi Matondo similarly had elite speed and did very well for us but hasn't gone anywhere.

The thing you need to look for at youth level for me is "decision making".

Light weight players can make it if they can execute this quickly, but it can still be a slight worry.

Hence why when Foden, Sancho and Diaz played for us many people noticed they have "decision making" to play at the top, and that only physicality would limit them, with Diaz being the main worry, but even now he is overcoming that with Milan, simply with time and adding muscle mass.

I want to see if Borges and Mebude can execute that decision making against adults. I think they can.

Pep wants players that can play in a certain way and have the right mentality and attitude. Lewis is in the squad at such a young age because he clearly trains well and absorbs Pep's instructions. Wilson-Esbrand too. Palmer is clearly very highly rated. Even his quite selfish display against Southampton seems to have been forgiven. He's naturally brilliant. Like Mahrez but with a bit more pace to drive at people and possibly a more natural finisher as well. He just needs to keep working hard and trust Pep to give him chances. McAtee is a tricky one. He's got it all talent wise. Effortless skill and an eye for goal. He plays a different game to his teammates at Sheffield United. But it doesn't work because they're not on his wavelength. That change in approach and that element of control he needs should hopefully develop his all-round game and he can come back and be a more complete package. Pep doesn't want to stop players scoring or assisting but he firstly wants them to get on the ball lots, offer themselves all the time, and control the game. That's why Grealish is so appreciated - it's up to him to do that little bit more and mix his game up so his numbers rise.

Borges, for me, is the player this City squad needs. We've moved away from that dynamic wing play of the Sterling/Sane years. We're now more about passing triangles and patience. But sometimes you do need something different. Palace away last season was a good example. It was all a bit predictable. With Haaland it helps. He's such a concern that it allows a bit more space at times. Alvarez is a bit like Jesus in that he's willing to drop deep or run in behind and is always on the move. But Borges, in wide areas would just take his man on. He might lose it on occasion, but he might also get in behind and give the opposition an issue. If the full back and CB have Haaland there and another player looking to run in behind them, it is just another different problem to face. They'll be more comfortable with Grealish/Foden who generally will look to pass sideways/backwards rather than go past them.