Revealed: Why Pep Guardiola personally intervened to keep 19-year-old prodigy at Man City this summer – amid heavy interest from EFL clubs

Pep Guardiola intervened in the summer to make sure young midfielder Jacob Wright remained at Manchester City.

The 19-year-old had strong interest from clubs in the EFL with the opportunity to further his development away from the Premier League champions but was told to stay at the Etihad Stadium for the season.

Wright featured during the Carabao Cup victory over Watford last month and spends his weeks training with Guardiola’s squad and then featuring for the Under 21s.

‘There was obviously temptation – there always is going to be – but when the manager and staff around him want you to stay and be around that first team there’s not much of a choice,’ Wright said.

‘There’s no temptation any longer when you get the information that they want you to stay and be around it because they see you as someone that could be around it. The temptation went out the window as soon as I heard that – I was staying for the season.’

A number of teams in the EFL enquired about Wright’s services during the summer window

Wright appeared twice for Manchester City’s senior team last season, including in the Champions League

The central midfielder, who has come right through City’s academy, is highly regarded after making his senior debut last season.

Wright scored twice during the recent UEFA Youth League win at Slovan Bratislava and is leaning on first-team stars for advice.

‘There’s a lot who have been good with me,’ Wright added. ‘Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Rodri when he was fit was good – we had conversations – but ones I’ve spoken to quite a bit recently would be [Mateo] Kovacic and Bernardo [Silva].

‘The way they think, they know exactly what the manager wants. They’ve helped me a lot, as has [Ilkay] Gundogan.

‘Pep is always giving information and pointers. There is always room for improvement, little tiny details that make a massive difference at that level. I try to take on board as much information as possible.’

Along with his impressive goal haul in the UEFA Youth League, Wright has been in fine form for City in the Premier League 2.

The 19-year-old has two goals and four assists to his name from five Premier League 2 appearances.

One of his assists came in a 3-1 victory over Manchester United’s Under 21 side on September 21. 

Wright (second right) has been in fine form for Manchester City’s Under 21 team

He has two goals and four assists to his name from five games in Premier League Two

Wright featured twice for City’s senior team last season as he enjoyed a 15-minute cameo in a 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the third round of the FA Cup.

The teen prodigy saw two minutes of Champions League action when he came on for City against Copenhagen.

He was named in England’s Under 20 squad for the international break but withdrew on Saturday due to injury.