Manchester City’s Jacob Wright considered leaving this summer after receiving offers from other clubs. However, once Pep Guardiola and his staff expressed their desire for him to stay with the first team, Wright quickly made up his mind.
“There was temptation, but when the manager wants you, the decision becomes easy,” Wright said. “As soon as I heard, the temptation was gone.”
Despite not yet playing for the first team this season, Wright has shone in youth matches, scoring five goals in nine appearances. Training with senior players like Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, and Bernardo Silva, he’s hopeful his chance will come soon.
A few years ago, Ilkay Gundogan took a step into coaching, helping Manchester City’s Under-16s while working on his coaching badges. During a training session focused on the role of a holding midfielder, he dedicated time to offering personalized advice to one player—young Jacob Wright, who was tasked with controlling the game from the center of the pitch. Wright, now 19, can’t help but smile as he reflects on that day, especially since he now finds himself sharing the first-team dressing room with the very man who coached him, Gundogan.
Gundogan’s presence in Manchester City’s squad this season is a surprise, considering he left for Barcelona in 2023. His return just 12 months later, however, wasn’t the only unexpected turn of events. Wright, who had attracted significant interest from other clubs, made the decision to stay with City for the season, despite the temptation to explore other options.
Wright admits there were offers to leave, especially during the pre-season tour to the United States with Pep Guardiola’s squad. He saw teammates like Callum Doyle and Mahamadou Susoho make moves elsewhere after the tour. But when word came from the first team, his decision was made.
“There was obviously temptation—there always is—but when the manager and the staff want you to stay around the first team, there’s not much of a choice,” Wright said. “As soon as I heard they saw me as someone who could be part of it, the temptation went out the window. I was staying for the season.”
City’s decision to keep Wright close, rather than loan him out, echoes the approach they took with Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Rico Lewis. While playing in competitive academy matches, Wright also benefits from the invaluable experience of training alongside senior players like Gundogan. The club believes this combination will aid his development more than sending him to an unfamiliar first-team environment outside of their control.
Although Wright has yet to make his debut for the senior team this season, he’s been making waves in the youth setup. With five goals in nine appearances, including a crucial brace against Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Youth League, Wright is proving himself a leader on the pitch. As he continues to develop, he’s surrounded by experienced players eager to guide him.
“A lot of players have been good with me,” Wright shared. “Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, and Rodri—when he was fit—were really helpful, and recently I’ve been talking quite a bit with Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva. They understand exactly what the manager wants, and I try to learn as much as I can from them.”
Pep Guardiola also plays a significant role in Wright’s development, frequently offering advice. “Pep is always giving information and pointers. There’s always room for improvement, and the small details make a massive difference at this level. I try to absorb as much as I can.”
For Wright, it’s all about staying true to his style. “It’s always been about just playing my game. I don’t need to do more than that. The manager just wants me to dictate the play, keep things simple, and get the ball to the wingers who can do their thing with their skills.”
As he continues to train with the first team, Wright knows his chance will come. “If I keep performing like this, I’ll get my opportunity. Then, it’s up to me to take it.”
