Pep: You can’t win anything with kids

PeP GUaRDiOla last night told the critics who say he is failing Manchester city’s £200million academy: “You can’t win anything with kids.”

Guardiola has delivered backto-back Premier League titles, successive Carabao Cups and the FA Cup to the Etihad over the last two seasons.

But success has come at a price – with City splashing more than £ 535million during the Catalan’s reign to strengthen a squad that already included Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Fernandino.

It means talented youngsters, such as Phil Foden, have been used sparingly after graduating from the club’s youth system.

But Guardiola, who created legendary status at Barcelona with a team full of homegrown talent, is unrepentant.

And he delivered his own version of Alan Hansen’s famous quote on Manchester United’s Class of ’92.

Guardiola said: “We have to compete every single day to fight with the best teams in England and Europe.

“And, for that, we need the David Silvas and Kevin De Bruynes and the Sergio Agueros and Fernandinhos.

“We need all these type of players because with young, young, young players you cannot do it. The young players can be help for the other ones, of course, but, if the basis of the team is young, then it is just not possible.”

Foden is seen by many as the man to fill David Silva’s boots when he leaves at the end of his contract next summer.

And the mi d f i el d er demonstrated his class with City’s second goal after coming on as a late substitute in the midweek Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb.

But, after making a big impact during last season’s title run-in, Foden has played just 10 Premier League minutes in two months of the new campaign.

But the youngster could start against Wolves today, with De Bruyne injured and David Silva coming off the back a gruelling 89- minute run- out against Zagreb. Guardiola said: “Phil is 19 years old, so he plays quite enough minutes and he will play a lot this season and in the next seasons.

“I didn’t speak with him, so I don’t know (if he is happy to be patient). Hopefully.

“When Phil is here in the first team of Man City, it will be because he is ready to play every single game.”