In our view, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola should start Oscar Bobb against Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
It has been reported that Phil Foden was absent from City’s latest training session.
Even if Foden does end up starting, Bobb should still be utilised as a right-winger.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola should start Oscar Bobb vs Brighton
The reason why that is the case is that an argument can be made that Manchester City’s number 52 looks like a more natural presence out wide than against some of the other natural midfielders at the club.
Case in point, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, have often played in that position this season alongside the 20-year-old.
The perfect example of that being the case is during City’s 4-2 victory against Crystal Palace.
Manchester City technician Oscar Bobb put in an inch-perfect display, as he had the beating of his full-back while retaining the ball brilliantly, which are traits that will be required against a top Brighton side.
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Often, the likes of Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva have found it difficult to dribble past left-backs, perhaps due to lacking a certain burst one needs to create a degree of separation between them and the defender.
Unless of course, either is given the license to roam in centrally.
Such is not necessarily the case with Manchester City talent Oscar Bobb, who can find joy in wide areas as well as centrally, as a dribbler and also in terms of his link-up play; which could give Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan a headache.
The way Bobb dovetailed with Lewis in City’s 4-2 win against Crystal Palace is a prime example of how comfortable he is as a passer from wide zones.
Even in terms of finding the runs of players like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, the highly-rated attacker succeeds as a winger in a way perhaps not many do at the club.
Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden perhaps lack the same vision from wide areas in terms of playing such intelligent through balls.
As a result, while some may feel Pep Guardiola might be taking a risk if he starts Oscar Bobb for Brighton against Brighton, in our view, he has the technique and intelligence that makes him the perfect candidate to make a name for himself once again.
