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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Man City fans tell Pep Guardiola which youth player to promote to first team

Manchester City fans want to see young defender Eric Garcia step up to the first team fold next season.

With club captain Vincent Kompany departing after 11 years, there is a vacant space for a central defender in Pep Guardiola's first team squad.

John Stone and Nicolas Otamendi will battle for the second centre-back spot alongside Aymeric Laporte, but fans want to see youngster Garcia push the trio.

There has been talk of a new signing to bolster City's defensive ranks, while Otamendi has also been linked with an exit.

But when MEN Sport asked fans which youngster they wanted to see promoted to the first team, Garcia was the overwhelming choice.

He was backed by 81% of respondents, with striker Felix Nmecha getting 10% of the votes after an impressive season for the EDS.

Winger Ian Carlo Poveda got 5% and Adria Bernabe won 4% of votes. Both wingers featured in the Carabao Cup last season.

Fans may get their wish when it comes to Garcia, as Guardiola is set to involve him more in his squad next season.

Garcia impressed when stepping up in the Carabao Cup quarter-final and both legs of the semi-final against Burton, and Guardiola is expected to involve him in the pre-season tour of Asia before using him around the first team squad in 2019/20.

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