DELAP OF HONOUR
Teenager Liam set for a surprise Prem call-up for City after his stunning strike in EFL Cup
IF he thought Thursday night was a one- one-off, off, Liam Delap could be in for a surprise tomorrow.
The 17-year-old year- old son of former Stoke midfielder and throw-in throw- in legend, Rory, marked his City debut with a stunning strike in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola turned to Delap to lead the attack with City’s all-time time leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero still making his way back after knee surgery.
With Gabriel Jesus also sidelined, Delap, who only joined City last season from Derby, could be set to play a greater role.
It might only be off the bench but it is the next step.
And Delap is unfazed at the jump from the academy to the f irst- team, and has told Guardiola he can be counted on if the City boss needs to call on him again.
“I need to keep working hard in training and look to take every opportunity I get,” said Delap.
“To get the call- call-up, up, I couldn’t be happier. It’s a dream come true.”
City have spent their way to four Premier League titles in the last decade, bankrolled by bi l lionaire owner Sheikh Mansour’s personal fortune.
But with injuries having stretched their squad to the limit, just two weeks into the new season, Guardiola has been forced to turn to the club’s academy.
Phil Foden has made the step up to the first team, having come through the youth ranks at City, and others are now ready to follow in his footsteps.
Tommy Doy le, Taylor Harwood- Harwood-Bellis, Bellis, and Cole Palmer, all 18, and Eric Garcia and Felix Nmecha, both 19, are all expected to be named in Guardiola’s 18man matchday squad tomorrow.
Despite having his personnel depleted, Guardiola is confident the players at his disposal can cope against Leicester, and praised the spirit shown by the younger players. “It will be incredibly tough, we know that,” said Gua Guardiola. “It’s always difficult to play Leicester and this will be no exception.
“But we play at home and I see the team really well in terms of happiness and the relationships.
“The yo young players help us a lot and we move forward.
“We will wi recover and try to arrive fresh fre for the game. We don’t hav have time to practise anything. Just avoid injuries. Right now, now it is what it is.
“We prepared pre for five weeks. Now we recover ( from Thursday’s game) and we’ll see the players more fit and ready.
“Last season, Leicester were incredible incredible. They struggled in the last part of the season, when Ben Chilwell a and James Maddison were injured inju – they were big players for them.
“They have exceptional players up front and in the middle. We know it. We know how tough it will be.”