By JOE BRAY IMAGINE a player with the low centre-of-gravity of David Silva, the ball control of Riyad Mahrez, and the hustle of Bernardo Silva.
Add a little bit of Phil Foden in there, too, when he drops the shoulder and glides past his full-back.
You're probably looking at an archetypal Pep Guardiola player.
And it's not an exaggeration to say you might be looking at Oscar Bobb.
For the second year running, the quiet Norwegian is generating a lot of noise on City's pre-season tour. In just two games in the US this summer, Bobb has three fine assists and one goal.
He may have had more assists if some finishing was better, and was so close to a goal against AC Milan when his excellent solo effort went agonisingly wide.
"He's not scared to make mistakes," says fellow academy graduate Rico Lewis. "If he gives the ball away, you see his reaction straight away to win it back.
"And the second time he gets on the ball, he'll go again and do the same thing again, he'll go and drive. He's fearless."
Pep Guardiola says Bobb is electric in the one-on-one duels, and hailed his consistency in his level of performance, even when he doesn't play too much.
Asked if Bobb reminds him of any player, Guardiola replied: "He reminds me of Oscar Bobb." Because there aren't too many players like him. He's got a bit of everything as he explains himself in the tunnels underneath the Yankee Stadium on Saturday following another man of the match display.
He doesn't quite agree with the Mahrez comparison, though, he tells reporters. "Woah - that's a big compliment. I'll take it of course.
I've been watching all the City games for the last 10 years - so if you say so, then I'll take it.
"For me it's always Bernardo I always look at him I try to emulate some parts of his game, but do my own thing as well.
Bu hikaye Manchester Evening News dergisinin July 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Manchester Evening News dergisinin July 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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