Pep Guardiola surely ready to make huge Reigan Heskey call after what Man City gem just did
Pep Guardiola has no choice but to sit up and pay closer attention to Man City youngster Reignan Heskey.
Heskey, son of Emile, has made a name for himself out at the Under-17s World Cup, netting four goals in four games, even despite missing a penalty in the 3-0 win over Egypt, denying him a hat-trick.
Nico O’Reilly has risen to fame at Man City this season, breaking into Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad, with the manager happy to trust some of the young talents coming out of the academy.
Despite a rough start to the 2025-26 campaign, Man City are back in the Premier League title race, with Erling Haaland certainly playing a big role in that with his 14 goals so far.
Reigan Heskey impresses for Man City and England Under-17s
However, a lot has been made of the team’s dependence on the Norwegian star, with multiple players tied for the next highest number of goals at one, including Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.
Haaland has recently been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, though the striker is far too humble to admit that he could, one day, reach the same standards as the legendary duo.
If Guardiola is looking for more goals, he could turn to the academy once again, this time, taking a close look at Heskey, who has impressed for club and country so far this season.
For Man City Under-21s, the youngster has two goals and an assist in seven appearances, clearly ready to take a step up, and that has already happened once this season.
City fans were introduced to Heskey during the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup back in September, with the forward being given seven minutes to impress during a first-team debut.
Pep Guardiola is surely taking notice of Heskey this season
He has not appeared since, but Guardiola surely must take a punt on the 17-year-old after his exploits against South Korea on Saturday, 15 November, helping to seal England’s spot in the round of 16.
Heskey doubled the young Three Lions’ lead following an own goal from Jung Hui-Seop, and he might have made the back of the net bulge on more occasions had it not been for the opposition goalkeeper.
Doku has been in fine form out on the left flank, and that is another reason why involving the youngster in the senior set-up would benefit everyone. Learning from the best could increase Heskey’s development.
It would certainly be a brave call from Guardiola, but from watching his performances so far this season, it would be thoroughly deserved.