The development of the young Manchester City players isn’t a linear process as Oscar Bobb has discovered

Manchester City is blessed to have a host of talented young players in its first-team squad. Players such as Nico O’Reilly, Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, James Trafford, Divine Mukasa, and Rayan Cherki have their best years ahead of them. While each player can play a role for Pep Guardiola’s side, they need time to grow and fulfil their potential. But the development of the players listed above isn’t a linear process. Norway manager Stale Solbakken launched a blistering attack on Oscar Bobb’s performance during Norway’s 1-all draw with New Zealand earlier this week.

While Solbakken’s comments were harsh, they show that Oscar Bobb isn’t yet the finished product as a player. The young winger still needs time to develop and learn what it takes to perform consistently for both club and country.

Stale Solbakken blasted Oscar Bobb’s performance for Norway against New Zealand.

Norway played out a 1-all draw with New Zealand in a friendly earlier this week. Oscar Bobb played in an unfamiliar midfield role for his country, and played the full 90 minutes in the match. Bobb was tidy in midfield, but wasn’t at his best. At times he looked lost playing in an unfamiliar position.

Norway manager Stale Solbakken, believed that Oscar Bobb had a poor performance against New Zealand, especially in the first half. Speaking on Bobb’s performance, in quotes relayed by the Daily Mail, Solbakken had this to say on Oscar Bobb’s performance: “He was very poor in the first half, he is lacking everything.”

“He takes too long with the ball, positions himself strangely and doesn’t press well. He’s done that in training and been very good at it.”

“But if you ask Oscar, I think he’ll say that the first half was his weakest performance for the national team. The second half was the next weakest.”

Manchester City may benefit from Stale Solbakken’s comments.

As mentioned above, the development of Manchester City’s talented young players, such as Oscar Bobb, isn’t a linear process. There will be peaks and troughs in their growth as players. That is to be expected as young players look to become proven performers at the highest level. Oscar Bobb has just learnt this lesson after Stale Solbakken’s comments. Solbakken’s comments aren’t a cause for concern; if anything, they show how highly regarded Oscar Bobb is by his country and how high the bar is for him when he plays for Norway.

Manchester City could benefit from Stale Solbakken’s comments. They could light a fire under Oscar Bobb and the young winger could get his head down to learn from the Norway manager and his criticism. If that is what occurs, City will have Bobb hungry to show what he is capable of for his club.

Stale Solbakken’s criticism of Oscar Bobb’s performance against New Zealand did come across as exceptionally tough. But they do show that the growth of a player like Bobb isn’t a linear process. That is to be expected as Oscar Bobb continues to grow as a player for both club and country.