Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola thinks the club have missed Oscar Bobb since the Norwegian picked up an injury back in August.
The winger was one of the top performers in pre-season and he started the Community Shield final against Manchester United. However, he fractured his leg in training prior to the first league fixture versus Chelsea. Speaking about Bobb in his pre-match conference, Guardiola said:
“Oscar (Bobb) four months [out], do you know the best player, do you know our high pressing with Oscar how it is? He can run with three (players), he has an incredible talent, the intention with two central defenders and full-backs at the same time. We can stay high, we recover, and without him we are less. He was the best player in pre-season, the injury and four months out.”
Fans on X were not surprised by Guardiola’s remarks and many believe Bobb has a very bright future ahead of him:
this boy is generational January isn’t far anyway
— PepBall (@PepBall3) November 22, 2024
Pep’s hyping up Oscar Bobb’s talent, but without him, the pressing game is like a car without gas. Incredible potential, but too bad he had that 4-month injury break! 🚗💨
— GarudaGlide (@GarudaGlide) November 22, 2024
Miss bobb so much man…
— Emir🇸🇪115 tears🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@FodenCTID) November 23, 2024
Think people don’t understand how good this kid is. Genuinely will be a ballon d’or contender in the future he’s incredible.
— JW (@jw_whe34) November 22, 2024
Oscar’s energy is unmatched can’t wait to see him back on the pitch
— Moolah (@Nate_Verse) November 23, 2024
When will Bobb return to fitness?
It was initially expected that the 21-year-old would be back in contention by December but Guardiola has subsequently revealed his return date has been delayed until the New Year.
Supporters may have to wait until late January or potentially early February before seeing Bobb back out on the pitch.
Other Man City injury news
Guardiola has confirmed that Jack Grealish is available again. The winger has not played since the win over Watford in the Carabao Cup back in October.
Phil Foden, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and John Stones are also fit, but there are still doubts about the fitness of Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku. Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Dias and Rodri remain on the treatment table.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
