Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has laid out a clear challenge for Oscar Bobb, telling the young winger exactly what he must do to cement his place in the first team this season.The 22-year-old Norwegian started the campaign brightly, building on his breakout moment at the FIFA Club World Cup in June. His progress comes after enduring one of the most testing periods of his career, having recovered from multiple leg fractures and recurring hamstring issues that disrupted his momentum last year.
Bobb first burst into the spotlight with a dramatic last-minute winner in Manchester City’s 3–2 comeback victory over Newcastle United during the 2023–24 season — a goal many fans still describe as a defining moment in City’s campaign.
Guardiola’s Message: Belief Is the Key
Despite his talent, Bobb has struggled for consistent first-team minutes this term. Pep Guardiola believes that self-confidence will be the decisive factor in whether the winger can take the next step in his Manchester City career.
“He started really well playing the first two, three games and after he didn’t play because I rotated the team,” Guardiola said ahead of Sunday’s clash against Bournemouth. “But he has to believe — the moment he believes in himself, how good he is, he will make the next step in his career as a football player.”
Guardiola’s faith in Bobb remains strong, but the City boss has made it clear that belief and consistency will determine whether the academy graduate becomes a true first-team regular.
Competition on the Wings
With Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sané, and Riyad Mahrez long gone, Manchester City’s wide options have evolved. The club has relied heavily on Erling Haaland for goals, especially following Julián Álvarez’s £82 million move to Atlético Madrid last summer. Guardiola now wants his wingers — including Bobb, Jeremy Doku, and Omar Marmoush — to share more of the attacking burden.
“It’s not enough to play well in possession,” a City insider told local reporters earlier this month. “Wingers at this level must deliver — goals, assists, and game-changing moments.”
Bobb has started recent matches against Aston Villa and Swansea City, and while his work rate has been impressive, his goal output remains low. Guardiola is now urging him to translate his promise into consistent end product.
City’s Long-Term Faith in Bobb
Oscar Bobb remains one of Manchester City’s most highly-rated academy graduates, and both the coaching staff and club hierarchy believe he has the potential to develop into a long-term first-team asset. However, with City’s attack stacked with elite competition, this season could prove pivotal in determining whether he becomes a core player or a rotational option.
FAQ
Q: What did Pep Guardiola tell Oscar Bobb?
A: Guardiola urged Bobb to believe in himself and maintain confidence in his abilities, saying that self-belief is the final step he needs to progress in his career.
Q: Why is Oscar Bobb’s role important right now?
A: With Manchester City adjusting to life without some of their former star wingers, Bobb represents part of a new generation tasked with providing width and attacking creativity.
Q: Who are Bobb’s main competitors for a starting spot?
A: He’s currently competing with Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush for minutes on the wings.
Conclusion
Pep Guardiola’s challenge to Oscar Bobb is as much psychological as it is tactical. The Norwegian winger has the technical ability and tactical understanding to thrive at the top level — but only belief and consistency will allow him to truly break through into Manchester City’s elite first team.
As City continue their push for Premier League dominance, Bobb’s next few months could define whether he becomes another academy success story — or just a promising name in a squad full of stars.
