All trophies important to Guardiola
form and confidence and do not always have the experience to realise what is happening and what they can do about it.
Fans and journalists do not see how a player responds to an early taste of firstteam football.
The on-field performance is only a part of the overall picture.
A young player can have his head turned by playing with the seniors.
Suddenly, from being relatively anonymous, he is being recognised in the street, he is a big deal in his social circle, his agent can start pushing for a new contract, he suddenly starts to think he has made it, he may well splash out on a fancy motor and he takes too much notice of social media plaudits.
That is when it is vital to have a wise head on hand to keep the player’s feet on the ground.
It is understandable a young player finds it hard to cope with the attention and adulation.
Even someone older and wiser could easily have their head turned but the sensible superkid takes notice of wellmeaning counsel.
He understands he needs to work even harder than he has done before to maintain his development and to keep improving.
There are so many examples of young players who were briefly ‘the next big thing’ but found it impossible to fulfil their potential for a variety of reasons.
For some it was poor fitness, either self-inflicted or the result of an unfortunate injury, for others it was a bad attitude, listening to unhelpful advice, a lack of opportunities, a badly-timed transfer, a change of manager or tactics.
So much about succeeding in football is good luck, being in the right place at the right time.
It is also critical when Lady Luck shines on a player he has the presence of mind to grab the opportunity with both hands.
Anyone closely connected with football will tell you talent alone is not enough to make a success of a football career - you also need to be prepared to work hard, the listen to helpful advice and have the ability to roll with the punches.
Over the years Middlesbrough have produced players who have been identified as ‘future stars’ either before they have even left school or after a handful of first-team appearances.
One thinks of Stephen Bell, Nathan Porritt, Luke Williams, Craig Dove, Cameron Park and Josh Walker, whose stars burned brightly but soon faded.
Someone like Downing, who had talent as a teenager but went on to play regular top-light football and win England caps, is a rarity.
That is why managers rarely get as excited as fans about a talented young player. They know how hard it is to make the big breakthrough.
Managers do not ignore gifted youngsters out of spite. It would be selfdefeating to leave a potential matchwinner out of the team.
However, in a results-driven business, they are reluctant to gamble on an untried asset.
A manager’s shelf life these is little more than 18 months so he is not going to be too focused on the long-term development of a player when he needs instant success to stay in a job.
Fans have every right to be excited about a tricky teenager and there have been occasions where a talented youngster could have been used as an impact sub over the past few seasons.
However, there are not too many examples of a young player failing to be given his chance at Boro before being sold or released, then coming back to haunt the club.
If Tavernier keeps his head down and works hard he will enjoy a successful career because he has that one thing money cannot buy - natural ability. PEP Guardiola recognises the Carabao Cup lacks glamour but that does not diminish his determination to add to his trophy haul.
City are bidding to retain the first of the two trophies they won last season as they take on Chelsea at Wembley this afternoon.
Guardiola has claimed 24 pieces of silverware in a decade of management and it is clear he places high value even on those lightly regarded by others.
He said: “Of course it is not the most important title of the season but once we are here, in Wembley, a mythical stadium, a nice stadium, against a top side like Chelsea, we want to prepare to win the final. It is important.
“Once we are in a final we want to enjoy it, compete well and improve. Try to win.”
Guardiola even took issue with a question at his pre-match press conference which referred to the Carabao Cup as a potential first trophy of the season.
He added: “I would not want to be arrogant but it will be the second one.
“We won the Community Shield.”
City have injury doubts for the game over John Stones, Gabriel Jesus, Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph.
Defender Stones and striker Jesus missed the midweek Champions League win at Schalke with groin and hamstring injuries respectively and will be assessed. Mendy and Delph have been out for a number of weeks and seem unlikely to be involved.