Pep Guardiola gave me a taste of first-team football at Man City - now I want more

Kaden Braithwaite is still trying to get his head around the biggest night of his life.

It has been five weeks since, at the age of just 16 years and 229 days, the defender received the news he’d dreamed of his whole life: He was going to make his Manchester City first-team debut.

Having played for the club since under-9s, Braithwaite had spent almost half of his life working towards this moment, but even he couldn’t have believed how suddenly it all happened.

“It's been ridiculous, I still can't get over it,” the teenager told ManchesterWorld in his first interview with external media since making his debut.

Braithwaite’s shock call up for the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Watford last month even took figures at the club by surprise. Pep Guardiola was on the lookout for a left-footed centre-back with Jokso Gvardiol in need of a rest and Nathan Ake injured. It took just one training session to convince Guardiola that Braithwaite was ready to step up.

“I found out the day before,” he explained. “They told me and I took it in my stride. It would be unfair to say there weren't nerves - the first 10-15 minutes of the game just to adapt. 

“It's not a usual game. There was a bit of nerves, but everyone was really helpful and supportive. It was easy to get into the game and it made it more comfortable for me.”

Braithwaite managed 76 minutes before being replaced with a minor knock. He even technically managed a clean sheet on his debut given City conceded after his withdrawal.

As for Guardiola’s verdict…“He said I played well,” revealed City’s new no.61. “Leading into the game he said he didn't mind if I made mistakes, just work hard on and off the ball and he can't really ask for much more.”

After those dizzying heights, it’s been back to reality for Braithwaite in recent weeks, with the youngster returning to the underage sides. He came off the bench in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy penalty shootout win over Grimsby Town and hasn’t missed an Under-18s game this season.

Braithwaite was named Under-18s vice captain in the summer by Oliver Reiss and has all the qualities needed to thrive at senior level.

“I think he demonstrates a lot of the attributes of a typical City player in terms of his profile is really good, is left-footed, which helps and gives you good balance in the team,” Under-21s coach Ben Wilkinson explained.

“The challenge he has is to keep his feet on the floor after that. He was at school three or four months ago and has now played a game in the first team. So, an amazing night for him and now he has to get to the ‘day job’ and continue to strive and get that opportunity again.”

Getting that chance again is very much at the forefront of Braithwaite's mind, and the confidence boost received from last month's call up will only help.

“You can't have a feel of first-team football then step off the gas,” he said. “You have to keep going and pushing. For me personally I want more so I have to push for that. You play with more confidence, I can see it in my performances. Some things I was doing that I wouldn't be doing without that confidence boost.

“I just have to thank God. Hopefully I can have many more opportunities along the way.”

A modern defender, Braithwaite has started operating in the ‘Rico Lewis role’ as a hybrid full-back and midfielder. He performed excellently in that position during last week’s Uefa Youth Cup win over Sparta Prague, having recently rubbed shoulders with those who carry out that job best.

“It's enjoyable. You see more of the ball. Where you do see it you can penetrate the defence and make impacts on the game.

“He [Lewis] is great at it,” Braithwaite added. “In the first team, Gvardiol, John Stones can do it. Loads of people who can play that position. To see them do it you get a feel of how to play it. You can take it into your game.”

Having made his debut at 16 years and 229 days, Braithwaite has already bettered the records of Lewis and any other City player under Guardiola. In fact, the club have only had two younger players in their entire history.

It’s the sort of pressure that could weigh anyone down. Not Braithwaite, though, who has plenty of time to continue honing his skills at youth level… for however long he stays there.