Pep Guardiola outlines plans to intergrate Brazilian staret Kayky into first-team

Pep Guardiola says he will slowly integrate summer signing Kayky into his Manchester City side once the teenager gets to grips with English football.
Kayky already has experience of senior football in Brazil. (Photo by Santiago Arcos - Pool/Getty Images)Kayky already has experience of senior football in Brazil. (Photo by Santiago Arcos - Pool/Getty Images)
Kayky already has experience of senior football in Brazil. (Photo by Santiago Arcos - Pool/Getty Images)

The 18-year-old arrived at the Etihad this summer from Fluminese, joining for a fee just under £10m.

He has yet to make his debut for the club however, despite previous experience with his Brazilian club, where he scored four goals in 29 appearances.

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Part of that has been attributed to a knee injury, whilst Pep is also being patient in his introduction of the youngster.

“He’s just arrived. Had some knee problems. He’s training with us, getting to know us, getting to know English football,” said Guardiola to Brazilian outlet TNT Sports after the 5-1 win over Club Brugge.

"He’s very young. We know of his talent, otherwise he wouldn’t have come, or City wouldn’t have signed him."

Kayky today joined first-team training, linking up with his compatriots Ederson and long-serving midfielder Fernandinho, who has been a mentor to the young star.

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Pep’s plans for the Brazilian will be to field him in City’s EDS squad, which plays in the Premier League 2, a division for young players.

The squad also play in the EFL Trophy, which sees the Under-21s side line up against lower league sides with experienced professionals in their ranks which will help him deal with the physical side of English football.

Pep added: "He’s very smart, very prepared. Fernandinho talks to him a lot, our captains take care of things a lot, that’s why Fernandinho is a jewel.

"Little by little he will be integrated, he will try to have matches for the second team, seek rhythm. And soon his performances will decide what to do."

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He is already ahead of schedule as he was due to remain with Fluminese until January 2022 but the transfer was brought forward.

With City’s only senior recognised striker Ferran Torres on the sidelines, the emergence of Kayky could save the club millions by instead promoting the talent already at the club.

Academy product Liam Delap was also amongst those training this morning and has returned following a recurring injury.

Delap has made just three appearances this season, owing to a foot injury, which was deemed to be a ‘significant’ one, however he is now back on the road to recovery.

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It was another homegrown talent that was in the headlines earlier this week though as Cole Palmer played for both the senior team and the Under-23s on Saturday, before netting his first Champions League goal in the win over Brugge.

Palmer is predominantly an attacking midfielder though he could be deployed as a striker, which could be a solution to City’s lack of striking options.