City face the Magpies at St. James’ Park, and have the chance to get to within two points of league leaders Liverpool and leapfrog Aston Villa.
City started 2024 in the perfect manner last weekend in the FA Cup against Huddersfield Town, sweeping aside the Terriers 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
One man who caught the eye in the game was Oscar Bobb, who may very well be in the manager’s thinking right now for the Newcastle game…
Why Oscar Bobb is surely a temptation for Pep against Newcastle
City fans are rightly very excited about Bobb, who has seriously impressed this season after being promoted to the first-team by Pep Guardiola.
The Norwegian talent has made 13 appearances so far in total, starting twice.
He is yet to start in the Premier League, but it feels like that first start in the competition will not be too far away, with Bobb showing he is very comfortable playing in City’s team.
Bobb was superb last weekend against Huddersfield in the FA Cup. BBC pundit Leon Osman was wowed by the youngster’s awareness, believing he plays in a ‘360 arena’.
After the game, Pep branded Bobb ‘an incredible threat’, and this was after the manager admitted he almost started him against Sheffield United.
It is clear at this point that Pep seriously rates Bobb, and he has got to at least be a temptation this weekend.
Bernardo Silva missed out last weekend due to illness and it’s possible the Portuguese may be lacking a bit of match sharpness for the Newcastle game.
Jeremy Doku made his return against Huddersfield, but is also not match-sharp right now after a few weeks on the sidelines with injury.
Kevin De Bruyne will start from the bench again against the Magpies, meaning Phil Foden is highly likely to be in the middle, potentially opening up a space on that right side for Bobb.
He dazzled last time
It will be interesting to see if Bobb does indeed get his first Premier League start on Saturday, but the evidence is already there that he can have an impact against the Magpies.
Back in September, City took on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup at St. James’. While City lost the game 1-0, Bobb was the standout performer for the visitors, with Micah Richards branding him ‘outstanding’.
City as a collective were way off it that night, especially in the second-half, but Bobb was a livewire throughout and was probably the biggest threat for City.
That was the 20-year-old’s first start for the club, and he has obviously gotten better since then.
Newcastle have struggled a bit this season but remain a solid and competitive side and so, Pep may have doubts about throwing him in on Saturday.
But Bobb is just playing with great confidence and it would be fantastic to see him given a chance.
