Josh Wilson-Esbrand’s role in the Manchester City first-team next season has been revealed, following impressive pre-season performances in the USA.
Aside from witnessing Manchester City finally return to action, the standout aspect of pre-season is watching the club’s enviable batch of youngsters make a name for themselves.
Perhaps the finest example of the aforementioned statement took place in 2017, as Phil Foden turned heads with a sublime display against Manchester United and cemented his position as a regular member of the first-team going forward.
Last summer as well, James McAtee’s bright performances led many to sit up and take notice of the silky midfielder.
Advert
Pep Guardiola went on to hand the ‘Salford Silva’ his landmark debuts in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during the 2021/22 season.
Similarly, the likes of Samuel Edozie and Ben Knight also stepped up to the plate in pre-season last year, with their impressive showings earning them starts in the Community Shield against Leicester City.
After the Premier League Champions wrapped up their pre-season tour of the United States on Sunday, the young Josh Wilson-Esbrand has been one of the main talking points from both contests.
Advert
The 19-year old first became a hot topic of conversation against Club América, as he put in a fearless display at left-back and looked like he belonged right in and amongst City’s array of superstars.
However, the highly-rated prospect’s dominant showing against Bayern Munich prompted many City supporters to state that the unearthed gem is ready for first-team football next term.
While a question mark had originally been hanging over the teenager’s immediate future at the club, it seems as if Manchester City have decided how to get the best out of the starlet during the 2022/23 season.
Advert
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Pep Guardiola’s side have been approached by a number of Premier League clubs, all of which are keen on signing Josh Wilson-Esbrand on loan.
However, it is claimed that there are ‘no plans’ to let the Englishman depart in the summer currently, as he is considered as a back-up option at left-back ahead of the following campaign.
For the past couple of months, it has seemed as if Joao Cancelo would have served as the emergency alternative in the position, considering Manchester City looked set to sign Marc Cucurella.
Advert
A whole host of reports have suggested that the Blues have been unwilling to meet Brighton’s £50 million plus valuation for the Spaniard and as a result, this leaves the club with just Joao Cancelo as their only left-back option, given Oleksandr Zinchenko recently joined Arsenal.
With the Seagulls reportedly believing that the Champions will not meet the sizable valuation for Cucurella, Wilson-Esbrand could finally get his big break after stepping up to the plate in pre-season.
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League
Srinivas Sadhanand