Can a young Manchester City defender make an impression in the US?

Can a young Manchester City defender make an impression in the US?

As Manchester City continue their preparations for the 24/25 season in the United States they have taken a young squad on their pre-season tour. With a plethora of City first-team players having an extended break after a busy summer, there is an opportunity for several City youngsters to impress in the US. One such player is Jadel Katongo. The young City defender is eager to impress this summer. Could he make an impression this summer? The opportunity is there for Katongo to impress if he can seize it.

Last season Jadel Katongo had a successful loan spell at Peterborough United. He made 43 appearances and scored two goals and added two assists. Katongo was a standout performer for Peterborough United during the 23/24 season. His form was so impressive that Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson believes he could play for Manchester City in time. In an interview published in the Peterborough Telegraph last season Ferguson had high praise for Katongo. He said: “Jadel has been outstanding for us. He picks things up quickly and has a great temperament. The loan has done him good and if City played him, and I know they rate him highly, he’d breeze through games.

It is clear based on Katongo’s performances last season and with his talent and potential, that he appears destined for a lengthy career at the highest level. Although it may be some time before he is ready to be a consistent first-team contributor for Manchester City. But he has served a sizable apprenticeship in City’s Elite Development system and looks ready to make an impact on City’s pre-season tour of the United States. The chance to impress is there for Katongo and it is one he appears eager to seize.

Jadel Katongo is eager to learn this summer.

Speaking with mancity.com Jadel Katongo said he is eager to learn this summer. The youngster is keen to continue his development and learn from Pep Guardiola and his more established teammates. Katongo told mancity.com: “I think it will be another great experience just to be around an even bigger first-team and see how they manage things both on and off the pitch as well,” Katongo said ahead of the squad’s departure to America. Hopefully, I can achieve more growth as a player. Obviously, Pep’s the best manager in the world and hopefully, he can teach me a thing or two, the same with the players as well.

The opportunity to impress Pep Guardiola is there this summer for Jadel Katongo and several other Manchester City youngsters this summer. If Katongo can make an impression during City’s friendlies against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea it will bode well for his future. He may not be ready for first-team football at City just yet but if he can show glimpses in the United States Katongo could show that he could become a Manchester City first-team player in time. The sky is the limit for Jadel Katongo and this summer is the ideal opportunity for the young defender to learn this summer. It is up to him to seize it.

Tags AC Milan Barcelona Celtic Chelsea Jadel Katongo Manchester City Pep Guardiola Peterborough United pre season tour United States