Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pep’s pop at Neville over kids
PEP GUARDIOLA has hit back at Gary Neville’s claim that Manchester City do not give their young homegrown players enough of a chance.
Rookie Phil Foden, 17, impressed in City’s 2-0 defeat by Manchester United on tour in Houston.
But Neville claimed: “He’s at the wrong Manchester club for getting a sustained opportunity.
“City have a lot of great kids, they should be playing.”
Guardiola, who has already spent £217million this summer – with more to come – shot down the suggestion that City, who have invested heavily in their academy, have no interest in promoting youth.
He said: “Which is the right club? It’s a question to Gary Neville. My history is there. I’m not going to put young players in the squad because they’re young.
“They will be in the squad because they have quality. I don’t have problems with that.
“Phil Foden is going to play in the next games on tour. He has quality to play in that team. I’m so happy to have Phil. He’s a Mancunian, a City fan, a humble guy. He’s a fighter. He looks skinny but he’s a strong guy.
“The club is working well in terms of the academy. There are many players with good prospects for the future.
“We will be patient with those guys. They are going to train with us most, or part of, the season.
“I would like to pay less for the club, but the market is the market.
“All the clubs spent a lot of money – not just us.” WITH Diego Costa gone and Kenedy out in the cold, there is no doubt who is now in control of the Chelsea dressing room.
The Roman Abramovich era is littered with big-name head coaches – including Jose Mourinho – that have fallen victim to the big players at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte has ensured very early on that he will not join that graveyard.
“The coach must be in total control of the dressing room,” said the former Juventus captain. “Otherwise, there is anarchy. Yes, anarchy.
“When I was a footballer, Lippi and Trapattoni and Ancelotti and Sacchi, my coaches, were totally in control of the dressing room.
“Otherwise, you are preparing to die. If this doesn’t happen, you are preparing yourself for death.”
His words have echoes