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‘Not the time to leave’ – 19 y/o Man City man told to ‘stay’ amid interest from PL rivals

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Liam Delap looks to have a bright future at Manchester City after impressing at youth level, but it remains to be seen how much playing time he’ll get under Pep Guardiola with Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez for competition.

Southampton are aware of the situation brewing and tried to sign the 19-year-old permanently, but City aren’t looking to sell Delap. They’d be more open to a season-long loan move that allows him to develop for a year and then return to Manchester.

Paul Robinson doesn’t believe Delap needs to leave this summer, however, as he predicts the England u19 international will get more playing time than last season.

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He told Football Insider: “As a youngster at Man City, you know what you are in for. He got minutes on the pitch last year. Delap is a player with real potential who I believe can break into the first team. I think he’ll get more game time than last year if he stays.

“It is up to him though as to whether he needs football week in, week out now. I don’t think now is the time to be knocking on doors asking to leave the club though. He should hold off.” Delap joined City from Derby County in 2020 and has four years remaining on his deal.

The 19-year-old has scored an impressive 10 goals in 16 games for the U18s, grabbing seven assists for his troubles, but he’s fared even better since making the step up to the reserves. Delap has netted 35 times in 36 games for the U23s, making nine assists, so he needs senior level football.

He’s made six appearances for the City first-team, scoring once, but may not get a lot of minutes next season due to Haaland and Alvarez. Delap deserves the opportunity, but will he get them under Guardiola? Should he go out on loan instead?

In other news, Internacional in talks with Manchester City over Nahuel Bustos      

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.