FA Youth Cup final: Man City’s Jahmai Simpson-Pusey hoping ‘big stage’ can launch senior career

The list of previous FA Youth Cup winners reads like a who’s who of footballing greatness. George Best, David Beckham and Michael Owen are among the esteemed players to pick up the ultimate winners’ medal in junior football, before making the step up to the senior game.

Fewer still have captained their side to glory, although it’s an accolade Paul Gascoigne, Ryan Giggs and Mason Mount can boast. Manchester City’s previous cup-winning captains don’t make for bad reading either. Tommy Doyle, Ben Mee and Steve Redmond all went on to become regulars in top-flight football, and on Friday night, another name could be added to that list.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey looks most likely to be given the armband by Ben Wilkson, given the defender captained City in the last three Youth Cup matches. The club’s Under-18s face Leeds United in Friday night’s final at the Etihad, and it’s a chance for those precious talents to write their names into the history books.

“I am excited,” the 18-year-old told ManchesterWorld ahead of the game. “I have never been in a final this big, so I have a feeling it is going to be great.

“I feel like it will be a good chance to put on a show. I played at the Etihad last season in the Under-18s [Premier League National] final, north v south, against West Ham. There were a decent amount of fans there. I was nervous in the first half and in the second half they disappeared and we went on to win.”

“I feel like being in the Youth Cup final you are remembered in a way because it is such a big tournament in England,” Simpson-Pusey added. “It’s inspiring to see all the previous City players playing first-team football like Taylor [Harwood-Bellis], Cole Palmer, all those, it’s inspiring.

“Being at City and people knowing you were part of the team that won the Youth Cup, it is a big thing to say.”

City’s three Youth Cup triumphs may not stack up favourably against their rivals’ - Manchester United (11), Chelsea (9) and Arsenal (7) - but in recent years there’s no doubting that the talent production coming from the Etihad has outstripped the competition elsewhere. When City last won the competition in 2020, James McAtee, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer were the three scorers in the final against Chelsea, all of whom are now Premier League regulars.

Simpson-Pusey is further proof that City are the most attractive option for underage talent. Faced with the choice at eight years old whether to choose Manchester United, Everton or City, the decision was simple.

“My mum got advice off those who have been in football and they said to go to City because it will benefit me more. They did proper training sessions to help the player technically and individually, so I ended up signing for City a year after joining.”

The 18-year-old has quite literally gone from a boy to man at City and now, after a decade on the club’s books, is aiming to establish himself at senior level. Simpson-Pusey has played primarily with the Under-21s this season - despite being eligible for the Under-18s - and feels ready to make another step up next term.

The Yorkshireman has attracted loan interest from the Championship and there’s every chance he’ll be operating in the second tier next season, while he also has suitors in France and Belgium. But the long-term aim for the centre-back, who can also operate on the right, is to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s distinguished squad.

Simpson-Pusey has already trained with the first team and is looking forward to further opportunities in the years to come. “It is exciting really, I feel like it gives you a chance to show what you can do and it gives you a chance to play and gain experience from being around the best,” the England youth international explained.

“I am a very ball-playing centre-back but I also love to defend so it doesn’t feel like a chore and that’s pretty much me. At City, we are a very ball-playing team and we have possession for most of the game. 

“In everyone’s head, as a defender we always think about the ball first. Defending is probably the last thing on our mind but I like defending so I take extra care.

“When you make a big one-v-one tackle and you win the ball back, last man, it gives you a buzz. It’s like scoring a goal,” added Simpson-Pusey, who revealed his role models growing up include Sergio Ramos, Ruben Dias and John Stones.

“I have not had any time to talk to them [Dias and Stones] one to one, but I feel like playing in the small-sided games you learn a lot from watching how they do things.”

For now, those aims of playing along Dias or Stones will have to be parked, Simpson-Pusey has a cup final to prepare for.

This season, City’s Under-18s surrendered their league crown to Manchester United and were beaten in the Premier League Cup final by their local rivals, so this is the last chance to collect silverware in 2023/24 - something which has become expected at this level. City also hold a major advantage over Leeds, having beaten them twice by three goals this term, the most recent of which came less than two weeks ago. 

“I have been really calm about it,” reflected Simpson-Pusey, whose Leeds-supporting grandfather will be watching from home. “I don’t know about the others because I haven’t been around the 18s much, but I can imagine that they will not be too stressed.

“Recently they played Leeds and they beat them 4-1, but you can't underestimate a team in the final, especially with all the fans they are going to bring, it will hype them up for the game.

“I think it will be a good insight for us to have a good feeling of what it’s like to play in front of thousands of fans. It's a good starter and it gives everyone a taste of what it's like to play on the big stage.”

Friday will be the biggest stage of Simpson-Pusey’s fledgling career, but that’s unlikely to be the case for long given the teenager’s blossoming talent and sky-high ambitions.