'Off the charts' - Forgotten Man City star of the future has a point to prove

'Off the charts' - Forgotten Man City star of the future has a point to prove

Oscar Bobb was the find of pre-season for Manchester City a year ago but a serious injury wrecked his 2024/25 and he now has to make up for lost time.

Oscar Bobb is back in action for Manchester City at the Club World Cup

There is a sliding doors moment for Manchester City and Oscar Bobb last August. It had been the summer when Bobb's talent had seemed to take full bloom. He was the star man in pre-season and started the Community Shield at Wembley before a cruel twist of fate.

Bobb fractured his leg in training the week before the start of the Premier League campaign and struggled to fully regain fitness for the entire season. What could, should and probably would have been a breakthrough season was now a lost year.

‌

He was back in training in February but could never quite shake off the fitness issues that often follow a long lay-off. The Norwegian managed just 14 minutes of football in the Premier League, and he had to watch on as City struggled to find form.

‌

Had the 21-year-old remained fit, maybe he could have made a difference. It felt like a season when the squad needed fresh legs and energy, and Bobb was on course to provide that until his unfortunate injury.

Now, he is trying to make up for lost time. He played 60 minutes in two games for Norway earlier in June and has managed an hour for City in two appearances off the bench against Wydad AC and Al Ain in the Club World Cup. His goal against the latter was a heartwarming moment.

“I feel very good and happy to be here, excited, and it's great to be with the team again," he said.

Article continues below

“It was tough at times, but the club offered great support and I was always thinking of coming back stronger, so yeah, it was all good.

“I came back around February and then got a bit of an overload and that kept me up for a few weeks, but then after that, I've been fine. But obviously, getting the fitness back takes some time, but I feel great now.

“I think it's a fresh start for me as well as the team and I think from here on out we can just build. I want to play as much as possible, be decisive and play in the big games.

‌

“I think it's just about taking my chances and getting the chances. And then it's all up to me. And that's what I think. If I get the chances, I'll be happy. Hopefully, I'll take them.”

Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £0 DAZN Get DAZN here Product Description The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13. Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.

City Studios this week gave Bobb's fightback to full fitness the big screen treatment, and anyone doubting his potential just needed to listen to some of his teammates' testimonies in the documentary.

‌

“I'm a big fan of Oscar Bobb," said Bernardo Silva. "In pre-season [2024], he arrived and you could see he was ready to be one of the main players. I think Oscar would've made a big difference; the impact in pre-season, the energy he was giving was very special."

Or take this Kevin De Bruyne: "I could see he had something different." Or Matheus Nunes: "The talent he has is off the charts."

Now Bobb is trying to make up for lost time. Not only does he have to regain his standing within the squad, but he has to do so at a time when competition has increased.

‌

City have signed eight players in 2025 so far, and the squad is deeper than it has been for a long time. Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush have strengthened the attacking departments.

There is still room for Bobb to return to the forefront of Pep Guardiola's plans. Jeremy Doku and Savinho are the squad's most natural wingers, but both remain inconsistent. Silva, Cherki, and Phil Foden can also play out wide.

The City squad know just how good Bobb can be, however, and if he can get back to his best this summer, he could make the impact this season he was expecting to make a year ago. Guardiola touched on that when discussing his return in February.

‌

"When we saw him in pre-season, everyone was so excited,” he said.

“He’s a guy who creates in the small spaces and in terms of the intensity that helps us to make the people from behind and in front, the first action is so aggressive, it’s like an addiction for the people who play in behind.

“Oscar is the best, the best, so intelligent and smart, and the rhythm he plays. He can play left or right, or pocket, or striker, in the small spaces, runners, finishing, it’s difficult to find."

Click here to read article