Star Manchester City performer v Celtic already knows what he must do to change Pep Guardiola opinion

Oscar Bobb was the standout performer for Manchester City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer.

A goal and two assists against Celtic earned the Norwegian praise from Pep Guardiola after the game, with the City boss claiming Bobb has ‘incredible potential’.

The Premier League champions suffered a 4-3 loss in the States, although the majority of the team was made up of underage players. Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Kalvin Phillips and Rico Lewis were among the few established names for City. 

But it was Bobb who impressed the North Carolina locals most, and he even managed to complete 90 minutes despite City only returning to pre-season training nine days ago. It was a timely reminder from the attacker of his capabilities, especially given the club’s sole signing this window is a left-footed Brazilian winger.

Bobb must have naturally wondered what Savinho’s arrival means for his position at City, with Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva also providing competition for places in the wide areas.

It’s a similar situation that Cole Palmer faced last summer, with the academy graduate opting to force through a move to Chelsea rather than play back-up to Guardiola’s senior stars. That’s not the approach that Bobb will take though, and speaking in the pre-Celtic press conference, the 21-year-old said he is happy to wait for his opportunity.

“What I look at is the players in my position,” he said. “Bernardo, Phil [Foden], Jack [Grealish] maybe - they are consistent every training session and every game.

“I know I can work a lot and get better at that. It’s about constantly raising my level and being consistent.”

Yet, should Bobb continue the sort of performance he displayed against Celtic, he might not have to wait much longer. There is also a real opportunity with Silva, Savinho, Doku and Foden all set to miss the pre-season tour. A run of impressive displays across the four US pre-season games could see him stamp his authority on the team for the opening weeks of the new campaign.

Earning a run of games in the City first team is no mean feat and, if afforded the chance in August, it could lay the foundations for a bigger role under Guardiola. For a player who only made his competitive debut last year, that would be an outstanding achievement.

Bobb started just two Premier League games last season and, despite the additional competition for places, it already feels like those numbers will increase this term.

The winger is highly regarded by Guardiola and a loan move has never been under consideration this summer. Now it’s about convincing the man with the highest standards in world football that he has the consistency needed to play a regular role in the side.