17y-old John Guidetti: "I'll play in City this winter"

[Outrun]

He's now and then talking in Swedish media, and I don't know if these quotes get overseas. He's being mentioned in the reserves/U18 blog, since he's scoring goals after goals.

Last summer he said his current goal is playing World Cup 2010 for Sweden, and now he's saying he wants to play for City this winter:

- They are fantasticly good players. But I'll play in the seniors before the year is over.

- I have two years left on my contract with City and I'm going to stay there. I'll play in the Premier League this winter, I'm ready.

How big is the chance?
- It's not far away. Like Macheda in United, he's been lucky. When we played against him with the juniors he hasn't been good at all and subbed. Then he suddenly played in the seniors, we just laughed.

How good is City at letting through juniors?
- (I guess) they used to be better at it. Mark Hughes isn't extremely good at it. But some comes through and I both believe and hope it will happen already this winter.

- I've said I'm going to play World Cup 2010 and if the national team do their part I'll do min.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotbollsbladet/internationell/england/article5508744.ab" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/f ... 5508744.ab</a>

He's an interesting person, he was raised in Africa. Here's a longer Swedish interview with him, talking about his life:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.offside.org/magasinet/smyglaesning.aspx?id=2848&templateName=preview" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.offside.org/magasinet/smygla ... me=preview</a>

Went to Kenya at 3, stayed for three years. Then moved back when he was 10. They started a football club at a village and he tells a bit about the games.

- Referee used to put us on a line to control the age. If someone was too tall or too deep voice or had beard, they were removed. Sometimes fights started when the referee sent away the team's stars. One time they screamed "John, haraka, down, down, down!". Suddenly the sky went pitch black. African "earth bees"(?), they kill with one bite.
- Another time we played on a field. There was a well in stone on the middle of the pitch, so when we attacked we had to play around it.

Returned at 13.

It's pretty funny, his father seems to spend a lot of his time on/with him. They say in the interview that they're currently (last summer) training on recovery, to fall asleep fast. He now falls asleep within 10 seconds of entering the car, in the back seet, after training.

He's also been playing in Sampdoria but chose us over them. Told them about a story with Cassano:

When we sat on the bench in the beginning of the game he said: "The trainer is stupid, eh?". I didn't get it, thought "we know you can be a little bit crazy but...". Then he said: "He bench you! He is stupid! You should play!". Then he laughed.

Anyway he's one of our academy players and he has been scoring tons in the U18 and reserves, hopefully he'll be able to prove himself sometime.

 

[Whitterz]

Maybe he is 'one' of Svens Love children haha

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

I love this quote:

It's not far away. Like Macheda in United, he's been lucky. When we played against him with the juniors he hasn't been good at all and subbed. Then he suddenly played in the seniors, we just laughed.

Must admit I've never even heard of the lad though, anyone seen him?

 

[Ricster]

He sounds very confident.

 

[Project]

The new Zlatan :-)

 

[stockportblue]

A friend of mine went down to one of the training sessions last season.A City coach who shall remain nameless described him as a big headed bastard.Ive seen him quite a few times and I would say he is quite a way behind Mak and Nimley but to be fair he is a year younger.Certainly not as good as he thinks he is.

 

[i8therags]

cheers for that.ha ha,he seems to have a personality thats for sure..would like to see a couple of our own break into the first team this year.They have proved to be good enough,infact the acadamy has been light years ahead of the rags for the last 10 years,yet we are not infront bringing the kids through.I hope that changes.

 

[Man1City]

How good is City at letting through juniors?
- They've been better before. Mark Hughes isn't very good at it. But some comes through and I both believe and hope it will happen already this winter.


I'm Sure saying this, won't help him at all tbh.

 

[Anonymous]

If he's truly good enough , and not just in his own mind either , then he'll get his chance ...... but the goalposts have now moved at City , and the kids have to realise it ....... Sturridge has already found that out , as have others , and most likely Evans will too ...... the club WILL move on no matter what , and it's up to any kid of genuine promise to force his way in , even if it's through games of little importance ..... the days of wine and roses are gone!

 

[Dhenry]

How good is City at letting through juniors?
- They've been better before. Mark Hughes isn't very good at it. But some comes through and I both believe and hope it will happen already this winter.


I'm Sure saying this, won't help him at all tbh.

By my (weak) understanding of swedish, really he is saying something along the lines of: 'There have been times when more chances were given. Hughes hasn't been great in those terms. But I believe there will be chances, hopefully already in the winter.'

He's not rating Hughes' dealings with the youth, rather just saying that he hasn't given many youngsters a first team opportunity..can't really argue with that.