Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City have a youngster who “has a sense of goal.”
Recently, the Catalan tactician made a similar claim about Phil Foden after his hat-trick against Aston Villa, who came through City’s academy as well.
In this day and age, players who play in advanced areas of the pitch are expected to score goals as it seems like just putting up impressive performances is not enough to cement their reputation as top players.
Getting goals on the board is viewed as the next step in an attacking player’s progression.
Perhaps this is one of the many reasons why Foden is getting as much praise as he is as his incredible displays have been backed up by the fact that he has 21 goals in all competitions to his name.
In all fairness, goalscoring is an art and especially when players who are not considered strikers master this facet of the game, they deserve plenty of credit as they are winning their team matches.
One might make such a claim about Oscar Bobb, despite him scoring just two goals in his City career so far.
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City youngster is a natural goalscorer
Despite being a midfielder by trade, Bobb is capable of playing out wide and having an impact in the final third.
While the sample size is admittedly minuscule, the Norwegian international has showcased that he has in his locker to score different types of goals.
Oscar Bobb’s goal against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League was an example of him utilising his mazy dribbling to put the ball in the back of the net.
But the youngster’s winner against Newcastle United showcased his astute movement; a trait that several forwards lack, such as even a winger as brilliant as Jeremy Doku.
Perhaps in the future, Bobb could become the kind of player who is known for getting goals.
However, Guardiola did not single him out as a natural goalscorer.
Instead, Pep Guardiola named Rico Lewis as one after Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-2 on Saturday during an interview with TNT Sports.
“He’s an exceptional player. Rico [Lewis] has something playing in the middle, in the pockets, it’s really, really good and he has a sense of goal. He’s a guy in the training sessions, he arrives in the final third, always has this potential”, he said about the £25,000-a-week midfielder.
“He’s another academy player and really good for us.”
Of course, Rico Lewis scored the winner for City in their latest victory by dispatching a well-taken half-volley past Dean Henderson.
Interesting Rico Lewis revelation after Manchester City beat Crystal Palace
As exceptional a talent as Rico Lewis, one would not expect him to be the kind of midfielder who has goals in his game until Pep Guardiola said so after Manchester City brushed past Crystal Palace.
Lewis has seemed like a player so technically gifted and intelligent that he can thrive anywhere on a football pitch.
But if the Englishman can add goals to his game, he could solidify his place in midfield for City in the long run.
With how adept Rico Lewis is as a tackler and a presser aside from his technical mastery and versatility, goalscoring could make him an invaluable asset in this Manchester City team one day.
Lewis’ eye for the back of the net as Guardiola mentioned after he scored a decisive goal for City against Palace is an indicator of just how much talent he possesses and how well-rounded his profile is.