Oscar Bobb has made a significant impact on Manchester City’s pre-season tour, contributing to four of their five goals, and earning praise from Pep Guardiola in the USA.
Oscar Bobb: The Emerging Talent Drawing Comparisons to City Legends
Imagine a player who combines David Silva’s low centre of gravity, Riyad Mahrez’s ball control, and Bernardo Silva’s relentless hustle. Add a touch of Phil Foden’s finesse when dropping a shoulder and breezing past defenders, and you have an archetypal Pep Guardiola player. Remarkably, that description fits Oscar Bobb.
The quiet Norwegian has once again generated significant buzz on Manchester City’s pre-season tour. In just two games in the US, Bobb has already notched three fine assists and one goal. He might have had more if not for some missed opportunities by his teammates, and he came tantalizingly close to scoring against AC Milan with a brilliant solo effort.
“He’s not scared to make mistakes,” says fellow academy graduate Rico Lewis. “If he gives the ball away, you see his reaction straight away to win it back. And the second time he gets on the ball, he’ll go again and do the same thing. He’s fearless.”
Pep Guardiola lauded Bobb’s electric one-on-one duels and consistent performances. When asked if Bobb reminds him of any player, Guardiola quipped, “He reminds me of Oscar Bobb,” underscoring the unique qualities Bobb brings to the team.
Bobb himself, speaking after another Man of the Match display at Yankee Stadium, modestly downplayed comparisons to Mahrez, saying, “Woah – that’s a big compliment. I’ll take it of course. I’ve been watching all the City games for the last 10 years – so if you say so geez, then I’ll take it. For me, it’s always Bernardo – I always look at him – I try to emulate some parts of his game – but do my own thing as well.”
Growing up, Bobb admired the best dribblers and attacking players, especially Barcelona’s stars during Guardiola’s tenure there. “We had La Liga at home so I watched all the Barca games together with my mum,” he recalls.
Bobb’s standout moment came with his goal against Newcastle last season, a decisive strike that only he could have scored, showcasing a blend of skills reminiscent of City’s greats. However, an earlier incident at St James’ Park in a Carabao Cup defeat might have been more pivotal for his development. Opting to pass instead of shoot, Bobb faced Guardiola’s ire, but his former under-21 coach Brian Barry-Murphy defended his decision, highlighting Bobb’s selfless nature and mastery of the final assist.
This selflessness has defined Bobb’s play. He now balances when to be selfish and when to prioritize his teammates, a growth evident on tour where he has provided three assists for Erling Haaland. “I just look to play off him – he’s the best in the world so I try to look for him,” Bobb explains. “We work on the training ground and he teaches me a lot. It’s so easy to play with him.”
Guardiola acknowledges Bobb’s need to refine his game further, particularly in terms of composure in front of goal. “In the last pass he has to reduce his speed,” Guardiola noted after the Milan game. “The chance he missed is because he has to be calmer in front of the keeper, but it’s a question of time, he’s young, his work ethic is unbelievable.”
Bobb himself is aware of the areas he needs to improve. “I’m still losing the ball a lot. I can still do a lot but I’m happy. [The manager] knows where I can learn a lot. Sometimes to stop and when to go. I can always get better at that.”
Despite being self-critical, Bobb remains focused on earning his place in the team. “I want to deserve to play. All I can do is work as hard as I can. In every day training you always have chances, you have to take them and be a bit selfish. The main thing is the team but you also try to get in the team.”
As Bobb looks ahead, his humility and dedication make him a perfect fit for Guardiola’s system. He’s quickly becoming a fan favorite, and with his sights set on contributing further, he’s poised to make a significant impact this season.
Asked if he feels ready to start in the Community Shield against Manchester United, Bobb remains team-focused. “We still have two more games here and we haven’t won yet so let’s look at those. It matters if we lose, even if it’s a friendly or a final – it never feels great.”
Given his trajectory, betting against Bobb making the right decision in crucial moments seems unwise.
