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Meet the ‘incredible’ Man City youngster loved by coaches and Pep Guardiola amid transfer interest

At just 16 years old, Manchester City academy defender Stephen Mfuni is already making waves within the club, with his meteoric rise showing no signs of slowing down. Mfuni’s inclusion in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea, where he made a brief appearance under Pep Guardiola, marked a significant milestone in his career.

Guardiola’s endorsement of Mfuni after the game was telling, as the City boss highlighted the youngster’s promise, making it clear that Mfuni’s development had caught his eye.

According to reports, Mfuni has been playing two age groups above his own, having been promoted to the under-23 squad as a 16-year-old. His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, with scouts from League One clubs reportedly keeping tabs on him.

Mfuni’s continued success was further demonstrated in the FA Youth Cup, where he netted a goal in City’s win over Millwall, adding to his growing list of accomplishments after scoring in the previous year’s final and the Premier League Cup final.

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Despite his success, Mfuni remains focused on his development within the Elite Development Squad, where he is regularly getting game time and continuing to evolve.

Mfuni, who is known for his calm, ball-playing style, isn’t defined by goals, but his versatility on the field is undeniable.

City’s website describes him as a defender who “oozes class and personality,” both on and off the pitch, a quality that makes him a coach’s dream.

Pep Guardiola, who has worked closely with him, has opened Mfuni’s eyes to aspects of the game that he previously didn’t see, particularly in terms of pushing forward and contributing more in attack.

“Working with Pep? He opened my mind, he sees things I didn’t see before,” Mfuni said, referencing how Guardiola has encouraged him to take more risks and push forward to help win games.

When asked about who he models his game on, Mfuni cites Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk for his defensive abilities, while also drawing inspiration from City teammate Josko Gvardiol for his attacking qualities.

Having trained alongside Gvardiol and City’s star striker Erling Haaland during a trip to the USA, Mfuni has taken valuable insights from the experience to add to his game.

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“I model myself on Josko, a bit of Van Dijk defensively, but mostly Josko,” Mfuni said. “He can play left-back, centre-back. And a bit of John Stones because he’s good on the ball as well.”

Mfuni’s breakthrough moment came when he made his debut for the first team during the pre-season tour in the USA. He recalls the excitement of getting on the pitch:

“I was buzzing, I didn’t expect to come on, it was the last five minutes. I was happy to take the opportunity and I was excited. I was a bit scared with the amount of fans, but as soon as I got on the pitch and got on the ball, I was used to it.”

Ultimately, the experience was a huge confidence boost, helping him feel more comfortable when he returned to the academy to continue his development.

Academy coaches are equally impressed with Mfuni’s talent and mentality. Under-18 head coach Oliver Reiss, who has worked with him closely, described him as “an incredible player” and noted his strong focus and dedication to improving.

Reiss also praised Mfuni’s ability to adapt, particularly in understanding the differences between playing for the under-18s and the Elite Development Squad.

Former EDS coach Ben Wilkinson also lauded Mfuni’s exceptional abilities last season, adding to the growing list of those who believe the youngster has a bright future ahead.

With his combination of talent, determination, and the backing of both Guardiola and his coaches, Mfuni’s future at Manchester City looks promising. For now, though, his sights are set firmly on further success with the academy. “The aim is obviously to win the Youth Cup,” Mfuni said, with a clear focus on winning more titles.

“And hopefully to make my first team debut, even playing more [for the academy] and get more opportunities. And to win the Youth League and PL2 as well. Just win everything!” With his mindset and potential, there’s no doubt that Mfuni will continue to make waves as his journey unfolds.

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