Manchester City might have unearthed a new first-team player as Pep Guardiola delivers shock squad update

Pep Guardiola has revealed Issa Kabore could remain with the Manchester City squad this season.

The 23-year-old signed for City in 2020 and has never played a senior match for the club, but has spent time on loan at Mechelen, Troyes, Marseille and Luton Town over the last four years.

The defender impressed last season at Kenilworth Road and made 24 Premier League appearances under Rob Edwards. Having returned to City this summer, Kabore was linked with a move away - with Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Roma credited with interest at various stages of the window - and that seemed like a real possibility after he was omitted from the travelling squad that flew to the USA earlier this summer.

But Kabore’s experiences and development in his four years away from City have evidently come to the attention of Guardiola, who included the right-back in the squad for the Community Shield win over Manchester United, and Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League victory against Ipswich Town.

Asked after the latter if Kabore is in his plans for the season, Guardiola replied: Maybe. He trained really good and he helps with the positions that we need it. We have to decide - it is not already decided.”

Guardiola’s comments come following a pre-season when James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly have stepped up from the youth team, as City prepare for a marathon season that could stretch over 48 weeks. The Catalan has also said he does expect to add to his squad in the final days of the transfer window, with Guardiola preferring to work with a smaller group.

“I don’t know what is going to happen,” the City boss explained on Friday, when asked about the possibility of making further signings. “Could happen something in terms of injuries, hopefully not. Right now I don’t think so.”

The previous week, Guardiola also said he was happy with his team, prior to Ilkay Gundogan’s signing. “I am really pleased with the squad I have. I know the vibe is ‘we have to sign’. We will see.

“I am really pleased with the squad I have, the players I have. I said, we will see what happens in the market. We can continue in that way, or maybe we will add some players. I cannot say.”

As for Kabore’s emergence as a possible first-team player, it would help with City’s defensive options, especially at right-back, if Rico Lewis is deployed in midfield. Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo are the only natural full-backs in the squad, and the latter is expected to depart before the transfer window shuts on Friday.