GUARDIOLA ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER Letting this player leave could change everything Many say it would be the biggest mistake of his life Fans warn Pep not to do it One decision could haunt Man City forever

The words came out quickly, almost casually, but they landed like a bomb. Pep Guardiola stood in front of the cameras after Manchester City’s win over Wolves, answered a few routine questions, and then dropped a line that has since exploded across the football world. When asked directly if Oscar Bobb wants to leave Manchester City, Guardiola paused, then said quietly, “I think so,” before walking away. No long explanation. No attempt to soften it. Just brutal honesty.

For a player who has grown up inside the Manchester City system, who joined the club as a teenager with dreams of becoming a superstar at the Etihad, those three words felt heavy. They told a story of frustration, uncertainty, and a future that suddenly feels far away from Manchester.

Oscar Bobb arrived at City in 2019 as a 16-year-old kid from Norway. Back then, he was seen as one of Europe’s brightest young talents. Quick, fearless, technically gifted, and full of confidence, he was exactly the type of player City love to develop. The plan was clear. Grow him slowly. Teach him Guardiola’s demanding system. Turn him into another success story from the academy-to-first-team pathway.

In many ways, that plan worked. Bobb made his senior debut in September 2023. He went on to make 47 appearances for the first team. He trained alongside world-class players. He lifted trophies. He experienced title races and Champions League nights. From the outside, it looked like a dream.

But football careers are not built on appearances alone. They are built on trust, rhythm, and consistent minutes. And this is where Bobb’s story at City begins to feel painful.

Despite those 47 appearances, Bobb has rarely been trusted as a regular starter. This season tells the story clearly. He has started just five Premier League games. Five. For a player now 22 years old, entering the most important phase of his development, that is not enough. Not for someone who believes he can be a top-level winger. Not for someone who wants to play international football at the highest level with Norway. Not for someone who knows time does not wait.

To make matters worse, Bobb has been sidelined by a hamstring injury. He has missed the last seven Premier League matches. While injuries are part of the game, they often arrive at the worst possible moment. For Bobb, it came just as he needed a run of games to prove himself.

While he was out, Manchester City moved on without him.

In January, City completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo in a deal worth £62.5 million. Semenyo arrived with immediate impact. Goals. Energy. Physicality. Confidence. In just four games, he scored three times and instantly became a key part of Guardiola’s attacking rotation. The message was clear, even if it was never said out loud. The competition just became even tougher.

For Bobb, watching from the sidelines, the picture suddenly looked bleak. Ahead of him are established stars, new signings, and players Guardiola already trusts in big moments. Behind him are younger talents pushing through. The space to grow has shrunk.

Guardiola himself did not hide from the truth. When asked about Bobb’s future, he admitted there are talks, rumours, and uncertainty. He said he does not know yet what will happen. But when pressed on Bobb’s desire, his answer was honest and telling. “I think so.”

That sentence confirmed what many had suspected. Bobb wants to leave. Not because he hates City. Not because he has failed. But because he wants to play football.

At 22, sitting on the bench, waiting for chances that may never come, is a dangerous place to be. Confidence fades. Sharpness drops. Careers stall. Bobb knows this. His camp knows this. And clubs across England and Europe know this too.

Talks have already taken place with Fulham. A permanent move to west London is on the table. Fulham see Bobb as a player who could thrive with regular minutes, less pressure, and a system built around attacking freedom. Interestingly, Bobb made his City debut against Fulham, which adds a strange sense of destiny to the potential move.

Crystal Palace are also interested, though their approach would likely be a loan. Palace believe Bobb could add creativity and unpredictability to their wide areas. However, a loan may not satisfy Bobb’s desire for stability and long-term commitment.

Interest does not stop in England. Borussia Dortmund are watching closely. They have a history of trusting young players and giving them responsibility. Sevilla, too, admire Bobb’s technical ability and see him as someone who fits La Liga’s style.

Despite all this interest, City are not under pressure to sell. Bobb is contracted until the summer of 2029. That long deal means City can demand a serious fee. They know his potential. They know his quality. They know what he could become in the right environment.

But football is not just about contracts. It is about people. And Guardiola’s honesty suggests the club understands Bobb’s feelings.

Oscar Bobb’s most famous moment in a City shirt came in January 2024. Late away at Newcastle, with the score tied, Bobb showed incredible composure and skill to score a dramatic winner. That goal helped push City toward yet another Premier League title. It was a moment that made fans believe his breakthrough had arrived.

Yet, moments alone are not enough. This season, Bobb has not scored in nine appearances. Some of that is down to limited minutes. Some of it is down to rhythm. Some of it is simply the reality of playing for a squad where every mistake is magnified and every opportunity must be taken instantly.

Manchester City, meanwhile, continue to chase trophies. Their 2-0 win over Wolves, with goals from Omar Marmoush and Semenyo, kept them firmly in the title race. Arsenal’s shock defeat to Manchester United closed the gap at the top to just four points. City smell blood. They are focused, ruthless, and experienced.

In that environment, sentiment rarely wins. Decisions are cold. Calculated. If a player does not fit perfectly, the machine moves on.

Guardiola’s men are also preparing for a busy schedule. A Champions League clash with Galatasaray looms. A tricky league trip to Tottenham follows. There is no time to pause and reflect on individual futures. The train keeps moving.

For Bobb, that reality hurts He has given years to the club. He has waited patiently. He has learned. But patience has limits.

Guardiola’s comment was not an attack. It was not criticism. It was an acknowledgement. An acceptance that sometimes, the best thing for a player is to let go.

City fans are divided. Some feel Bobb has not done enough to demand more minutes. Others believe he has never been given a real chance. Many simply feel sad. Sad that another academy talent may leave before truly flourishing.

This is the harsh truth of elite football. Not everyone can win. Not everyone can stay. Even at the best clubs, dreams are broken quietly.

Oscar Bobb now stands at a crossroads. Stay and fight in the most competitive squad in England, knowing chances may be few. Or leave, start again, and build a career defined by playing, not waiting.

Pep Guardiola has spoken. The door is not slammed shut, but it is open. And Bobb, it seems, is ready to walk through it.