Latest news with #Mfuni
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
A young defender looks set for a big future at Manchester City
We saw Pep Guardiola tell the media after his team's 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday evening that he refuses to work with a big squad next season. The Manchester City manager also told the media that is prepared to give City's talented academy prospects opportunities to fill the gaps if his squad is beset by injuries again next season. Manchester City's academy system is packed with talented young players. That has stood out in Manchester City's under-18 sides and the EDS side winning a fourth PL2 title. Divine Mukasa could potentially be the crown jewel of Manchester City's youth system. But he isn't the only one. There are a host of quality players littered throughout the Manchester City youth system. Another player who could make the step up to the City first team in time is young centre-back Stephen Mfuni. Mfuni appears to have all of the necessary attributes to one day become a City first team player. Stephen Mfuni appears destined for big things. A look at Stephen Mfuni as a player shows that he has all of the necessary tools to be a Manchester City centre-back. First of all, in possession, Mfuni is a smooth operator. He has elite vision and can pick out a pass. Whether that's to help his team in the build-up or by picking out a long pass. His ability in possession is elite. That earmarks him as a potential Manchester City first-team centre-back in time. Advertisement As a defender, Mfuni has all of the necessary attributes to become an elite centre-back. He reads the game well, especially for a player so young. Mfuni's positioning as a defender is another stand-out attribute of his play. He is strong in a challenge and in the air. All told Mfuni can develop into a quality player in time. He isn't the finished product as a player by any stretch. Mfuni is only 17 years of age. But he has every attribute required to one day blossom into a City first-team player. The time will come when Stephen Mfuni will make an impact at Manchester City. It appears to be only a matter of time before Stephen Mfuni is given an opportunity to impress at Manchester City. Perhaps that will come at next month's FIFA Club World Cup. It's hard to see Pep Guardiola only relying on his senior players at the tournament. That's where players like Stephen Mfuni may get an opportunity to impress. Based on what Mfuni has shown at youth level, he could seize that type of opportunity if it comes his way in the United States. Manchester City's EDS and under-18 side is full of promising young players. Stephen Mfuni is another one. If Pep Guardiola does need to rely on youth next season, especially in defence, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the young centre-back given an opportunity. Mfuni has shown he has the talent and potential to be a fine player for Manchester City. That opportunity may come around sooner rather than later.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Behind the scenes as Man City plot revenge in forgotten final as Premier League call lets them down
The celebrations were only just getting started a fortnight ago at Villa Park when a downbeat Manchester City dressing room had a sudden realisation. As Freed From Desire rang through the tunnel from the Aston Villa dressing room, City's beaten FA Youth Cup finalists were already plotting their revenge. With the young Blues wrapping up their under-18 Premier League North title a week earlier, they knew they would be in a National final to decide the best youth team in the country. At the time, it was between Villa and Southampton - and City players were in no doubt that they needed the chance to put things right against the team who just beat them moments earlier. READ MORE: Man United transfer news LIVE - Marcus Rashford twist, Jose Mourinho 'plot', Semenyo move READ MORE: Manchester United cannot afford to do the one thing Ruben Amorim wants There was initial disbelief at the way the Youth Cup final got away from City, brutally ending a 27-game winning run at the worst moment. Then a few smiles crept back into the dressing room. Then the realisation that they could meet Villa again very soon. "I am also not just a football coach," said City's U18 head coach Oliver Reiss. "I have also a heart. When I think about this [facing Villa again], then of course it would be nice to play again." Defender Stephen Mfuni, a rising star in the academy, summed up the mood in the City camp perfectly. "We want to get the score even. We're 1-0 down right now. Try to win to make it 1-1, " he told the Manchester Evening News. "We were hoping [it would be Villa], we know we can play better next time." The U18 National final takes place at Villa Park again after the drawing of lots to determine the home side. Unfortunately, however, the fixture clashes with the FA Cup final on Saturday so there is unlikely to be many City fans urging the youngsters on like they did in the Youth Cup final. That failure of the Premier League in scheduling one of their showpiece youth games is a shame for a hugely talented group - not least because the Youth Cup final saw Txiki Begiristain and Hugo Viana attend to look at the best the academy has to offer in person. The new sporting director will likely be at Wembley on Saturday instead. Viana watched the U21 play-off semi-final win over Manchester United last week and was present for the academy's annual awards night this week - and he will know that one final doesn't define a career. Mfuni says City have watched the Youth Cup final back, identifying the two set piece goals conceded in the first half, taking that into the under-21 win over United as an instant improvement. "We saw where we went wrong and tried to make sure it didn't happen again. For example their set piece goals we made sure United didn't score from any. Just take whatever we did wrong into these games." Mfuni glides between age group and first team training just like he glides from defence into midfield, and he believes he is personally better for a season that saw him go on the pre-season tour with Pep Guardiola in the summer, train regularly with the first team and play an important role in every academy competition. He will get two winners' medals for his PL2 and U18PL title wins, and will hope for two more with the last two finals of the season. "I've progressed fast, I think I've been doing well with the first team which has developed me a lot," he reflected. "As you can see on the pitch I'm stronger , faster, I think a lot and my decision-making is a lot better. It's improved me a lot. "The first team players give me tips, defending, attacking. I get used to playing different positions, making me a better player." The Youth Cup final was a disappointment from a group who instantly knew they could do better. Now they are determined to settle the score and give a better account for themselves with a swift return to Villa Park. It's just a shame the Premier League have let them down by allowing a nonsensical clash with the FA Cup final. --- Here at the Manchester Evening News, we're dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don't miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories. And finally, if you'd rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
