EXCLUSIVE: Man City monitor Bayer Leverkusen starlet as future Rodri replacement
Steve Kay
- Updated: 24 Oct 2023 17:57 BST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is monitoring 18-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Noah Mbamba, FootballTransfers has been told.
We understand the Man City boss first identified the player two years ago when the young Belgian was at Club Brugge and played against the reigning Premier League champions in the Champions League.
Mbamba has made just three appearances for Bayer Leverkusen since joining the club, with his debut coming in the final Bundesliga game of last season. He has made two substitute appearances this campaign and provided an assist against Darmstadt in September.
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Mbamba is a player who looks to get on the ball in deep-lying central areas and progress it forward into the attacking third. He normally is the one to shield the defence, while also helping out in the attack, much like the role Rodri plays under Guardiola.
The Belgium U19 international currently has a contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2028, meaning that it is likely that he will come at a premium if any club were to attempt and purchase him.
He is yet to break into the Leverkusen team on a regular basis, but we understand that Mbamba is on Guardiola's radar.
What Pep Guardiola has said on Man City’s slow start
It comes after Guardiola admitted last season’s historic treble triumph has taken a toll on the club.
The Citizens achieved the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League last campaign, being the first British side to do so since 1999.
But achievement has taken its toll on the club, the Spanish club has claimed, after a shaky start to the season for Man City.
“The Treble had an influence on all of us, me included,” he told reporters. "So we need to be there, arriving in the final moments at the end of the season, being close to the opponents and trying to do it again.
“I said many times that no one has won four Premier League titles in a row, never ever, so that shows how difficult it is. But now it’s important to be there, especially in the Champions League, qualify for the next round.
