Pep Guardiola does not hand out first-team appearances at Manchester City based on sentiment or potential alone. Every player who steps onto the pitch for the senior team must earn their place through hard work, discipline, and an undeniable level of talent. This philosophy makes it all the more significant that 16-year-old Stephen Mfuni was given an opportunity to feature for City in a pre-season friendly last summer. Even in the closing stages of a game against Chelsea in the United States, in a 100,000-seater stadium in Ohio, the fact that Guardiola trusted Mfuni speaks volumes about the young defender’s abilities.
Guardiola rarely mentions young academy players by name unless they have made a serious impression, but he made an exception for Mfuni. After City’s summer tour, the manager specifically praised the teenager’s development, marking him as one to watch for the future. This level of recognition from one of the world’s best coaches is a testament to the incredible work Mfuni has put in over the last 18 months at the City academy.
Despite City actively seeking to strengthen their defensive options with expensive young centre-backs from around the world, the rise of players like Mfuni proves that talent developed within the club’s own system will not be overlooked. At just 16, he has been promoted to the under-23 squad, playing two age groups above his own, and his performances have already started attracting interest from scouts across the country. League One clubs and other teams lower down the football pyramid are reportedly monitoring his progress, eager to secure a loan deal for the promising defender.
Mfuni, born in Wigan, will turn 17 next month, and he has been making waves with his commanding performances at the heart of the defense. His recent goal in Manchester City’s FA Youth Cup win over Millwall only further highlighted his growing influence on the pitch. It follows a goal he scored in last year’s Youth Cup final against Leeds United and another in the Premier League Cup final against Manchester United. He is making a habit of stepping up in big moments.
However, despite his rapid rise, Mfuni is not expected to leave City’s academy setup just yet. Unlike some of his peers, who may move on loan to gain first-team experience, City’s coaching staff believe he is best suited to continuing his development within the Elite Development Squad while also featuring for the under-18s in the Youth Cup. The club values his progress highly and wants to ensure he develops in the best possible environment before making a step up to senior football.
Nothing seems to faze Mfuni, and while his goal-scoring ability has caught the eye, his main strengths lie in his defensive capabilities. City’s official website describes him as a ‘ball-playing defender who oozes class and personality on and off the pitch.’ He is not only technically skilled but also a likable and determined character, always striving to improve and absorb knowledge from those around him.
Speaking after his latest FA Youth Cup goal, Mfuni reflected on how working under Guardiola has opened his eyes to a new way of thinking about the game. “Working with Pep? He opened my mind, he sees things I didn’t see before,” he said. “Even driving forward, I wasn’t doing it much last season. But now I’m doing it and getting goals.”
He is not just a solid defender; he is evolving into a modern centre-back who can contribute both in defense and attack. He has made it clear that he takes inspiration from two of the best defenders in the game—Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and City’s own Josko Gvardiol. “I model myself on Josko, a bit of Van Dijk defensively, but mostly Josko,” he explained. “He can play left-back, centre-back. And a bit of John Stones because he’s good on the ball as well.”
The opportunity to train alongside Gvardiol and Erling Haaland during City’s pre-season tour was an invaluable experience for Mfuni. “Yeah, it was good first-hand experience,” he said. “To see what it’s like to play with him and against him, to put that into my game and get rewarded for it.”
That reward came in the form of his substitute appearance in Columbus, Ohio. The experience of playing in such a massive stadium, in front of a huge crowd, was a significant moment for Mfuni, but he did not let the occasion overwhelm him. “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,” he recalled. “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.”
Mfuni has carried that confidence with him since returning to the academy, ensuring that he remains composed and focused on his development. “The tour was a huge confidence boost. I knew what I was doing when I came back [to the academy]. Relax. No fear.”
His fearless attitude is one of his defining traits, and it is something that his coaches admire about him. Oliver Reiss, City’s under-18 head coach, rarely works with Mfuni these days since he has moved up to the under-23s, but he remains full of praise for the young defender. “He’s not just a nice guy, he’s an incredible player, so it’s nice to work with him,” said Reiss. “He’s very focused in training, he’s listening, always concentrating. Tries to adapt to the differences between the EDS and under-18s. I’m always very happy to work with players like him.”
Reiss is not the only one who has spoken highly of Mfuni. Ben Wilkinson, who was in charge of City’s under-18s before taking over the Elite Development Squad, called Mfuni ‘exceptional’ last season. When multiple coaches are using words like ‘incredible’ and ‘exceptional’ to describe a player, it is clear that he possesses something special.
With Guardiola watching from afar and scouts keeping an eye on him, Mfuni’s future looks incredibly bright. There is already speculation about where he could end up in the coming years, with clubs interested in taking him on loan or even making a permanent move. However, for now, he is focused on continuing his development at City.
When asked about his goals for the immediate future, Mfuni was clear about what he wants to achieve. “The aim is obviously to win the Youth Cup,” he said. “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.”
His ambitions do not stop at just one competition; he wants to win everything he can at this level before making the leap to senior football. “Just win everything!” he added with a smile.
Stephen Mfuni is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young talents in Manchester City’s academy. His combination of defensive solidity, technical ability, and fearless mentality makes him a player to watch in the coming years. While his journey to the first team is still in its early stages, he has already made a strong impression on Guardiola, his coaches, and anyone who has watched him play.
If he continues on this trajectory, there is little doubt that he will be knocking on the door of City’s senior squad sooner rather than later. Until then, he will keep working, learning, and, as he put it himself, aiming to win everything in sight.
