THE KIDS ARE NOT ALRIG HT

Guardiola: Youngsters don’t win you trophies

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PEP GUARDIOLA insists he won’t jeopardise City’s title chances by playing Phil Foden and other youngsters at the expense of senior stars.

And in an echo of the infamous “you can’t win anything with kids” statement by Alan Hansen (below), Guardiola insists that 19- year- old England midfielder Foden will have to be patient, despite the clamour for him to play every week.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been forced to play a raft ft of teenagers as he strives s to rebuild Manchester

United, while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also backed youth by putting his faith in defender r

Trent Alexander-arnold ld at just 18.

But at Manchester r City, Guardiola has frustrated fans by restricting Foden’s game time.

With the demand for success driven by City’s Abu Dhabi owners, the Spaniard believes winning titles has to be the priority.

City are in the spotlight after failing to produce a regular first- teamer despite spending £200million on their Academy – and Guardiola accepts the scrutiny.

“Yeah I understand, but this team needs to win titles and prizes and the process for the young players needs time, and the best way is step by step,” he said.

“There is demand from the club – not winning the Champions League, but being there every time, in all competitions, and for that it needs the players we have.

“What can I say? The talent is there and when they are talented, they will play.

Skills

“But at the same time, we have to compete every single day, to fight with the best teams in England and Europe Euro and for that we need the David Silvas, Kevin de Bruynes, B Sergio Agueros, Fernandinhos and all these type of players.

“With the young, young, y young players you cannot ca do it. The young players pla can be a help for the other ot ones, but if the basis is young it is not possible. “When Phil is here in the first team it is because he is ready to play every single game, and it is because he has everything to play.

“Of course, he has many things to learn but a guy of 30 also has a few things to learn.

“Phil is young. He has the skills but there are things he can improve and that is why we want to help him.”

Asked if he believes that Foden (right, with Guardiola) – who last year signed a new contract until 2024 – will be patient, , Pep added: “I didn’t speak with him so I don’t know. Hopefully.

“Everyone yone knows exactly my opinion of f Phil Foden. He is 18 or 19 years old, so he plays quite enough minutes and he will play a lot this season and d the next seasons.”

In 1995, , former Liverpool star Hansen criticised Sir Alex Ferguson for playing young stars like e David Beckham,

Paul Scholes les and Gary and

Phil Neville le in a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park on the season’s opening day.

Hansen en proclaimed: : “You can’t win anything with kids.” ”

But United ited went on to win a league and FA Cup up double that season. on.

Agents

Foden played in 13 Premier League games last ast season, but in seven matches this campaign he has had only 10 minutes as substitute in the 5-0 win at West Ham.

Critics believe that could in future affect City’s y’s chances of attracting teen talent from m abroad, with England star Jadon Sancho ncho leaving for Dortmund after failing ing to play games under Guardiola. a.

But Guardiola uardiola said: “No, I don’t think so. It’s t’s the guys who seduce them – agents and players. If they want to come, they y will come.”