Luke Mbete targets Man City silverware as he takes on first-team advice

Luke Mbete is focusing on simple things as he looks to stay around the first team at Manchester City.

The 18-year-old defender caught the eye of Pep Guardiola last year after impressing in the academy, and while a serious injury curtailed that campaign he has recovered well this season. A senior debut came in the Carabao Cup win over Wycombe in September, while there have also been minutes recently in the FA Cup at Swindon and Champions League at home to Sporting.

Since Boxing Day, Mbete has made nine of the last 17 matchday squads with the first team manager feeling comfortable enough with the youngster's effort and ability to regularly involve him. Those experiences have been topped up by regular Premier League 2 football for the Under-23s, who are closing in on retaining their league title with three games to go.

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Mbete is a thoughtful defender, and he takes his time to consider what exactly he has taken from being around the first team so much. When the answer does come, it is one that Guardiola would certainly approve of.

"I feel the advice that the first team give me is really good," he told M.E.N Sport. "I know I came on in a couple of competitions and obviously I'm pleased. I take it as it goes. I try and put in everything I've learned from my managers and teammates into my game.

"The thing we all kind of forget is doing the simple things really well. If you perfect the simple things, it makes your game much easier."

Mbete does not turn 19 until September but is already into his second full season with the Under-23s, clocking up nearly 1,500 minutes across 18 appearances in this campaign to guide the Blues to the top of the table. A clean