Darren Ferguson has given more rave reviews about one Manchester City prospect and thinks he could already play for Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City have a wealth of young talent within the club, with their Elite Development System creating exciting prospects with factory-like consistency.
It’s almost hard to keep track of all the players City have out on loan but one player is particularly impressing down in League One.
Darren Ferguson, the son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, is currently in charge of Peterborough United for a fourth time.
The Posh had a difficult start to the season but have crept up the table in the new year and look nailed on to secure a play-off place.
Teenage defender Jadel Katongo, on loan from City, has been crucial to their uptick in form.
Though naturally a centre-back, Katongo has converted to a right-back and is shining with attacking freedom.
After picking up two assists in a recent win over Northampton Town, he scored his first league goal in a win over Stevenage last week.
Ferguson has been full of praise for the 19-year-old and has now said he could already play in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Darren Ferguson praises City loanee Jadel Katongo
Speaking in the Peterborough Telegraph, Ferguson said: “Jadel has been outstanding for us.
“He picks things up quickly and has a great temperament.
“The loan has done him good and if City played him, and I know they rate him highly, he’d breeze through games.
“City might want to send him to a Championship club next season so we might want to take him again.”
Could Jadel Katongo play for Pep Guardiola?
Katongo is certainly proving his quality in League One, which is by no means an easy league to impress in for someone so young and inexperienced.
He is showing the skills that would be useful to Guardiola, particularly his versatility and ability to move out of defence with the ball.
But it’s a world away from the ridiculously high-level City play at week in and week out.
History is also against him when it comes to ever getting into the Blues boss’ side.
Generally, youngsters who have left the club on loan don’t tend to break into the first team permanently.
Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb never left and were fast-tracked into the manager’s squad, whereas no one has yet left on loan and then followed in their footsteps.
Maybe Katongo could change things.