Man City starlet Luke Mbete reveals what it's like to play under Pep Guardiola, why Phil Foden is excelling at the club and who the most welcoming player in the squad is

Luke Mbete, a promising young talent from Manchester City's renowned youth academy, is seizing every opportunity he can at pre-season with the first XI. 

In recent years, Manchester City's youth academy has been a hotbed of emerging talent, with numerous players making significant strides into the professional game.

Among these young prospects, Mbete stands out as a player of immense promise and potential, having honed his skills on loan after making his City debut in September 2021. 

Mbete's future at the club looks exceedingly bright, with the 20-year-old telling Mail Sport he is doing everything he can to prove himself during pre-season with the senior squad. 

With City competing on multiple fronts, including the Premier League and the Champions League, there will be ample opportunities for him to gain more first-team experience should he stay at the club for the 2024-2025 campaign. 

'The focus for me right now is to regain full-fitness and keep doing what I am doing during pre-season training', Mbete told Mail Sport. 'I am looking to prove myself and then the rest will fall into place.'

In the 2020-2021 season, Mbete made significant strides by stepping up to Manchester City's Elite Development Squad (EDS), the club's U23 team. His performances were instrumental in helping the club secure the Premier League 2 title. 

His efforts did not go unnoticed, as Pep Guardiola, known for his keen eye for talent, began integrating Mbete into the first-team setup. As a result, Mbete was rubbing shoulders with world-class players like Ruben Dias and John Stones—learning from the best.

Mbete made his senior debut for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup against Wycombe Wanderers in September 2021. Although City won the match comfortably, it was Mbete's composed performance that caught the eye of the fans. 

Speaking about his debut, Mbete said: 'Pulling on the Manchester City shirt is always special. Kids all around the world dream of moments like that so I am honoured to have been given the opportunity and I hope I can get some more games soon.' 

However, like many young talents at big clubs, Mbete was sent out on loan shortly after his debut as Guardiola felt it would provide the youngster with valuable playing time and experience.

But, to understand the significance of Mbete's loan moves, it's important to consider the landscape at City. Competing for playing time with established stars like Dias, and Stones is exceptionally hard for a youngster. 

For Mbete, going out on loan was critical in helping him develop the regular first-team experience he needs to compete for a place in the team for the 2024-2025 season. 

Mbete's first significant loan move came in January 2022 when he joined Huddersfield Town in the Championship. This move was strategic, as the Championship is known for its physicality and competitiveness—an ideal environment for a young defender to learn and adapt. 

After his stint at Huddersfield, Mbete moved to Bolton Wanderers in League One for the 2022-2023 season. While this might seem like a step down, it was a deliberate choice to ensure regular playing time. At Bolton, Mbete took on a more central role in the team's defense, gaining confidence and maturity with each game.

Mbete went on to represent Den Bosch, moving to Holland to experience a new culture and push himself out of his comfort zone. 

'I wanted to go abroad to step out of my comfort zone. It's good to play in a different league and discover a new culture. I wanted to learn new things and be able to adapt in a new environment. I am also open to constructive criticism, which helps me as a footballer.' 

Guardiola has a well-documented history of developing young players, as seen with talents like Phil Foden. His philosophy revolves around integrating young players into the first team gradually, ensuring they understand the club's playing style and tactical nuances.

Mbete says Foden's assent to the first team inspires him on regular basis and claims it's the England international's love of football that has turned him into a global-super-star.  

'Phil Foden was one of the first to do it [break out of the youth system and become a household name in the Manchester City first XI and England squad]. For someone like me, Phil has been a big inspiration. It just shows that if he can do it, someone like me could also do it. 

'I think with Phil, he just loves what he does and I think that sort of mentality helps anyone achieve their goals. He loves what he does and it's clear to see that when he is playing or training. He always wants to get better and I think that is what has helped him get to where he is today.'

Mbete will look to follow in Foden's footsteps by becoming a mainstay in the Manchester City squad before looking at international honours with England in the future.

Guardiola values versatility and intelligence in players, traits that Mbete embodies. The young defender's ability to play both as a centre-back and a left-back fits well with Guardiola's tactical flexibility. Furthermore, Mbete's composure on the ball and passing ability align with the possession-based style that Guardiola advocates. 

Beyond the tactical and technical aspects, Guardiola's mentorship has been crucial in Mbete's mental and emotional development. Guardiola is known for his detailed feedback and emphasis on continuous improvement. 

When discussing his manager, Mbete said: 'I think it's the same as Phil to be honest. He loves what he does and he is a perfectionist. It's clear he loves football and that is all he thinks about. 

'I have been lucky enough to work under him. He has taught me so much and made me understand the game in different ways. I'm just so grateful to have come across him during my pathway.

'After I made my professional debut, Pep told me to buy him a bottle of wine - which I haven't done yet! I still need to do that actually. But, Pep is a really great guy and someone I have absolutely loved working under. I couldn't be more grateful to him for giving me the opportunity and allowing me to work under him.'

Mbete went on to share some insight into the team dynamics, revealing who stood out as the most welcoming player during his first training session with the senior squad in 2021. 

'I would probably say Raheem Sterling was the most welcoming. We came from similar backgrounds. When I joined training, he came over and introduced himself to me. 

'As a young player coming up, little things like that mean so much to you. It's a moment I will never forget. I am forever grateful for him and I am lucky to have been able to train alongside a player like him.'

As a young player, Mbete cherishes every opportunity to learn from the world-class talents in Manchester City's first XI. He specifically credits Dias with offering the most guidance, though he notes that the entire squad contributes valuable insights whenever possible. 

'Ruben Dias is someone who has offered me a lot of advice. But, not just him, all the players have. I think the key thing they always say to me is remember the basics. It's the basics that will win or lose you a game.

'They also remind me to be humble and just be willing to work hard. Be willing to do the extra work that others won't be doing. They've helped me massively. Not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well.

'It's really hard to pick just one player I look up to in the current Manchester City squad. When you're in that environment you can learn so much. It's important to try and take as much information as you can from them and try to add it into your own game. Overall they're a good group of guys that you can learn a lot from and they are willing to help you - which isn't always the case at other clubs.'

However, one player Mbete particularly admires is former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.

'I've been fortunate enough to meet Vincent Kompany and as a person, he is a great guy. As a player, he stood out to me growing up. He is a leader and obviously plays in the same position as me. His aura is just elite. 

'He is a top player and a top person as well. He's someone I have looked at since I was young and I feel like I have learnt a lot from him. I try to add some of his stuff into my game. To be compared or linked to someone of his ability would be great.' 

Looking ahead, Mbete's next steps will likely involve more competitive loan spells or a gradual integration into City's first-team. 

The club's congested fixture schedule, coupled with the ongoing development of City's academy graduates, suggests that Mbete could find opportunities to feature in domestic cup competitions or as part of the rotation in the Premier League and Champions League. 

Mbete is a modern defender, characterised by his comfort on the ball and ability to play out from the back. His passing range is excellent, allowing him to initiate attacks and switch play effectively. 

Defensively, he is strong in one-on-one situations and is not afraid to engage in physical duels, despite his relatively young age - making him an exciting prospect going forwards. 

One of Mbete's standout attributes is his tactical intelligence. He reads the game exceptionally well, a quality that Guardiola has always valued. But, will he feature for Man City during the 2024-2025 season?

Only time will tell.