Pep Guardiola blocked my Man City exit this year - I know what I have to do

Ilkay Gundogan took the opportunity to coach Manchester City Under-16s a few years ago when he was going through his badges.

The midfielder put a session on based around the holding midfielder, and between takes of the drill he spent time offering advice to the young lad in the middle whose job was to orchestrate the play. Jacob Wright smiles when he is reminded of that day, and is still grinning about the fact that - two years later - he now shares the first team dressing room with Gundogan.

Gundogan's presence in the squad is actually the bigger surprise, given he left to join Barcelona on a free transfer in 2023 before returning to Manchester just 12 months later. But while hopes for 19-year-old Wright have been high inside the academy, it was still a big decision to stay for this season when there was significant interest from clubs in the transfer market.

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Wright was not immune to the offers as he headed off on the pre-season tour with Guardiola to the United States, and he saw teammates such as Callum Doyle and Mahamadou Susoho leave upon their return. However, word from the first team soon made up Wright's mind for him.

"There was obviously temptation - there always is going to be - but when the manager and staff around him want you to stay and be around that first team there's not much of a choice," Wright said. "There's no temptation any longer when you get the information that they want you to stay and be around it because they see you as someone that could be around it. The temptation went out the window as soon as I heard that: I was staying for the season."

City's rationale for keeping Wright rather than sending him out on loan was the same was it for Foden, Cole Palmer, and Rico Lewis. If they can set worthwhile exercises for him in academy matches, the benefit of training alongside Gundogan and the rest on a weekly basis will bring him on more than the riskier option of exposing him to a first team environment that they are not in control of.

Wright has yet to appear for the first XI this season but has led by example in the youth teams, scoring five goals in nine appearances including a double at Slovan Bratislava to get City up and running in the UEFA Youth League - a competition they are determined to make their mark on this year. As the teenager looks to continue his path at City, he is surrounded by people to help him on his way.

"There's a lot who have been good with me. Walks, Nathan Ake, Rodri when he was fit was good - we had conversations - but one I've spoken to quite a bit recently would be (Mateo) Kovacic and Bernardo. The way they think, they know exactly what the manager wants.

"Pep is always giving information and pointers. There is always room for improvement, little tiny details that make a massive difference at that level. I try to take on board as much information as possible.

"It's always been about just playing my game, nothing more needs to be done. It's what I want and what the managers want, just to dictate the play, keep everything simple and give it to the wingers who can deliver with their fancy tricks and that.

"I'm training in and around the first team and hopefully if I keep performing as I am I'll get my chance and then it's about me taking it."