Man City’s Oscar Bobb: Inspired by Guardiola’s Barcelona

Oscar Bobb is thriving at Manchester City after spending his childhood religiously watching Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

The 21-year-old has been a standout performer of City’s jaunt of the United States, scoring and registering three assists across their two friendly defeats.

Bobb, who made 26 appearances last term, is aiming to feature more for the Premier League champions this season. And the set-up at his home in Oslo gave him a grounding to how Guardiola teams play.

‘We had La Liga TV at home, at my mum’s, so I watched all the Barca games,’ Bobb said.

‘We’d watch it together. I liked the best dribblers, the best attacking players. 

‘I watched a lot of Barcelona when the manager was there. Look at all the players he had: (Lionel) Messi, (Andres) Iniesta.’

An academy signing in 2019, Bobb has consistently impressed after a promotion to the first team and his link-up with compatriot Erling Haaland is an encouraging work in progress.

Guardiola is discussing Bobb’s development in the same way he has with Phil Foden previously. 

The Catalan believes the winger’s next step is to pick his moments with more precision to elevate himself to the next level.

‘I think he knows where I can learn a lot,’ Bobb added. ‘Sometimes to stop and when to go. 

‘I can always get better at that. It’s difficult but it’s what is required. I want to play more but I also want to deserve to play. 

‘With Erling, I just look to play off him – he’s the best in the world so I try to look for him.

‘Is it natural? I think for a lot of people with Erling it looks natural. I don’t know – maybe it’s just him. We work on the training ground and he teaches me a lot.

‘Of course it feels special that we are both Norwegian and he’s helped me a lot. I just try to see where he is and pass.

‘If I get it right, he’ll score. It’s so easy to play with him. So easy to understand what he does and what he wants to do. 

‘He’s one of the best in the world and it’s a pleasure.’