CITY Davenport closing in on first team dream
THERE is something surreal to see Jacob Davenport standing patiently outside the interview room, waiting patiently for his Under-23 coach Simon Davies to finish up.
The battle to progress from academy to first team football - particularly somewhere like Manchester City - is a frenzied one where standing still is not seen as a good thing.
On top of that, this 18-year-old, from Stockport, has more reason than most to fight against time.
In April 2016, he was the rising star of the FA Youth Cup team, standing out in the Fernandinho role for the semi-final win over Arsenal with an all-action performance that enabled his teammates to click.
Then came a troublesome hamstring problem that halted his momentum at a critical point.
“It was probably the longest I’ve been out,” he said. “I’ve had a fractured ankle and a few injuries when I was younger but that was a big one last year. It was about 13 weeks I was out for in total so it wasn’t fun.
“It was very hard. The team did well last year and you just want to be out there, but when you’ve got a long-term injury you’ve just got to concentrate on getting back and trying to add something at the end of the season, which I think I did.”
Where some would struggle to fight back into contention, Davenport appears to have done so in a typically understated manner. The quiet, determined teenager has been held up as an example for everyone at the CFA to follow.
“Jacob epitomises what we look for in a Manchester City player,” according to Davies.
“There are always different levels of ability but if we could have Jacob in every player we’d be really happy because of all the little bits: his timekeeping, putting the team first, his attitude to education, he never disrespects anybody, he’s hard-working every day in training and games.
“He’s one of those players that will never have any regrets because whatever level he reaches, he gives his all every day.”
Davenport has not yet found his level but is confident he suits the playing style at the Etihad and can slot into a number of positions.
If that should help him move forward in the Etihad production line, it also goes in his favour that City are not blessed with droves of players in his position.
“I’m a hardworking player, good technically. I’ve played defence a few times but my main position is the holding midfield role. I don’t mind slotting in at left back or left centre back. I like cutting up the play, getting the ball back for the team and starting the attack, keeping the ball.
“It’s not just the defensive side, you have to be good on the ball to keep the ball.”
As you can imagine, those qualities are right up Pep Guardiola’s street and it led to the potential of a first team debut last month.
The Catalan called the midfielder into his office before the league cup game against Wolves along with striker Lukas Nmecha to let the two of them know they could be involved.
In the end, Yaya Toure shrugged off an injury and Davenport became 19th man, but it was encouragement after his frustration last season for the boy who dreams of turning out for the club he’s supported all his life.
“I couldn’t believe it really,” he said. It was a massive surprise but it was an honour to be in the 19-man squad. I just want to keep playing to the best of my ability myself, stay in the [EDS] team and stay in the manager’s options.”