Pep Guardiola was shown the money by three Manchester City youngsters against Exeter City

Ahead of Manchester City’s 10-1 win over Exeter City, Pep Guardiola explained what he wanted to see from City’s academy players as they progress their way to the City first team. He told the media during his pre-game press conference on Friday when speaking about City’s young players: “I have to see who they are. I don’t want to ask what they have to do; I want to see who they are. It’s not about just the skills; it’s about many things.”

“Let me see. When I’m there and watching I will see. When I’m not good I have assistant coaches who do it, 6, 8 eyes who can see them.“

“Antoine coming in – I have to see him; this is what it is and our job. You have to play, show me. It’s like the movie [Jerry Maguire] where they say: ‘show me the money!’”

There were three Manchester City youngsters who showed Pep Guardiola the money last Saturday. They were Ryan McAidoo, Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni. Each player showed exactly the type of player they are against Exeter City in performances which surely impressed Pep Guardiola.

Ryan McAidoo, Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni all impressed in Manchester City’s win over Exeter City.

For me, Ryan McAidoo, Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni all impressed against Exeter City. There were a host of City academy players who featured against Exeter City at the Etihad. But those three all stood out for me Manchester City’s emphatic FA Cup third-round tie win in different ways.

Ryan McAidoo was dazzling on the right wing. His pace, dribbling ability and trickery gave the Exeter City defence a torrid time. McAidoo looked every bit a Manchester City type of winger and his ability in tight spaces and link up play with Rayan Cherki and others was fantastic to see. McAidoo scored his first ever goal for the City first team late in last Saturday’s match. It was a special moment and one that McAidoo would’ve dreamed of happening when he switched from Chelsea’s academy to Manchester City’s.

Max Alleyne built upon his impressive display against Brighton against Exeter City. He also scored his first goal for City when he opened the scoring in Manchester City’s 10-1 win. Alleyne was impressive on the ball, and at times he does play in a similar manner to John Stones. He also dealt with the physicality of the Exeter City attack and showed why he is so highly regarded at Manchester City.

Stephen Mfuni replaced Nathan Ake at left-back at halftime of the third-round FA Cuptie. Mfuni is highly regarded at City as a ball-playing defender who seems destined to one day be a City first team player. His City first team debut was full of promise as Mfuni was comfortable in possession, he looked exactly like the prototypical Manchester City defender. Mfuni also held his own defensively and the future looks bright for the young defender.

Pep Guardiola will be thrilled with the performances of McAidoo, Alleyne and Mfuni.

The words of Pep Guardiola, who demanded Manchester City’s youngsters ‘show him the money,’ were followed by McAtee, Alleyne, and Mfuni. Each player did exactly that at the Etihad against an overmatched Exeter City side. They showed their talent, and perhaps in time, if all three develop as players, they could save Manchester City money in the transfer market, and fans looking to stretch their budgets can do the same with an Eneba – buy PayPal top up.

Ryan McAidoo, Max Alleyne, and Stephen Mfuni showed that they could all be capable of breaking into the City first team in time. Pep Guardiola threw the challenge out there ahead of last Saturday’s match, and those three players answered it. It was great to see and shows that City have a plethora of young talent eager to impress.