Home Sports Man City’s Oscar Bobb reveals he was inspired by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as a child, as the rising star reflects on his impressive start to pre-season and blossoming partnership with Erling Haaland

Man City’s Oscar Bobb reveals he was inspired by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as a child, as the rising star reflects on his impressive start to pre-season and blossoming partnership with Erling Haaland

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Oscar Bobb is thriving at Manchester City after spending his childhood watching Pep Guardiola's Barcelona
  • The 21-year-old has scored one goal and registered three assists on the US tour.
  • His home form in Oslo exposed him to Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta
  • Bobb described Haaland, his teammate at City and in Norway, as “the best in the world”

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 on City’s tour of the United States, scoring and registering three assists in their two friendly defeats.

Bobb, who made 26 appearances last season, is aiming to play more for the Premier League champions this term. And the preparation at home in Oslo gave him an insight into how Guardiola’s teams play.

“We had La Liga TV at home, at my mother’s house, so I watched all the Barça games,” Bobb said.

“We watched it together. I liked the best dribblers, the best attacking players.

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

The 21-year-old has been a standout player on City's tour of the United States.

The 21-year-old has been a standout player on City’s tour of the United States.

The installation at his home in Oslo gave him an insight into how Guardiola's teams play.

The installation at his home in Oslo gave him an insight into how Guardiola’s teams play.

“I watched a lot of Barcelona when the coach was there. Look at all the players he had: (Lionel) Messi, (Andrés) Iniesta.”

Signed from the academy in 2019, Bobb has consistently impressed following his promotion to the first team and his bond with compatriot Erling Haaland is an encouraging work in progress.

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

The Catalan believes the winger’s next step is to choose his moments more precisely in order to ascend to the next level.

“I think he knows where I can learn a lot,” Bobb added. “Sometimes you have to stop and when you have to leave.

‘I can always improve on that. It’s difficult, but that’s what’s required. I want to play more, but I also want to deserve to play.

‘With Erling, I just try to play to his advantage; he’s the best in the world, so I try to find him.

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

Bobb admitted that he watched a lot of Barcelona when Guardiola was in charge of the Spanish team

Bobb admitted that he watched a lot of Barcelona when Guardiola was in charge of the Spanish team

He was impressed by their star-studded lineup, including Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

He was impressed by their star-studded lineup, including Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Bobb is looking to play alongside Erling Haaland, who he said is one of the best players in world football.

Bobb is looking to play alongside Erling Haaland, who he said is one of the best players in world football.

“Of course I feel special because we are both Norwegian and he has helped me a lot. I just try to see where he is and pass the ball to him.

“If I do well, he will score. It is very easy to play with him. It is very easy to understand what he does and what he wants to do.

“He is one of the best in the world and it is a pleasure.”

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