We did an 11-a-side match, the day before in training like
I got the ball on the edge of the box and I just remember
whacking it.
I just went home and saw my dad and I said
"I think I play with them."
"Like I just think I can do it."
And he was like "Yeah so do I."
And from there I've just always been confident.
I grew up there, a place called Wythenshawe,
opposite the park.
Grew up there playing outside of my house.
I used to have a little square thing in the garden
and a little net with grass
and I used to just wreck the grass and my mum used to
like moan at me and cry.
but then the grass used to just get wrecked so then we had to stop playing
then I moved onto the park.
But I was only like four or five or whatever,
so when my Dad took me to the park
we used to just play on this little blade of grass.
I'd make him stand in net and just shoot at him
and stuff like that, he was like "There's no point shooting if you can't protect the ball,
because you're just going to get tackled aren't you."
because obviously I was always the smallest in my team.
So I had to learn to protect the ball and use skills
because if I didn't I would just get the ball taken off me.
If I was dribbling and someones come across and I protect it, like
I've used my body well, I'd think like
"Yeah I'm glad he taught me that."
He played for a Sunday League team, he didn't play professionally or anything.
I used to go and watch every Sunday morning.
I used to sit on the little ball bag.
And I used to put one of his rain jackets on, I was only tiny.
I can't really remember it to be fair but, the one thing I do remember is
he was in a cup final. Stalybridge I think.
And they were 2-0 down and
I think they won 3-2 and he scored the winner.
That's all he goes on about.
Probably if I didn't have him I probably wouldn't be a footballer to be honest.
Because I was so little and stuff like, I used to come home to my Dad and say
"I want to be diff... I don't want to be this small." and stuff.
And then he used to say to me
like "No you need to be this small because
you'll learn how to use your skill and then when you catch up to everyone
you'll be better than them."
Like I've got a few pictures, like when we used to go away with the under-10's like
players were massive. Because I used to go to my Dad and say
"I want to be strong, fast." And stuff.
And he used to say "You don't want to be because it's not going to help you."
And then like joking he said something about Pep [Guardiola] saying
"Oh yeah, you're just waiting for Pep to come."
Because like everyone knows how Pep plays.
And then like, I think like two years later or...
He came, and then
he was like "Ah I told you."
And then he was like "Now you just have to work to get
get in the team and play."
I was like "Yeah I know." And now I train with him everyday.
He's just always on about football, just
mad crazy details and stuff, which is good.
Like it helps you a lot,
Like because the stuff he says is like
He'll say something and you think 'Oh right, I never thought of that.'
And then you'll do it and then like it'll just become easier.
I remember being in Style Park with all my mates.
I was walking to the ice cream van
like, on a little hill or whatever.
And then, they messaged me.
I just went "I'm training tomorrow"
And they were like "What? With who?"
And then I just said "First team."
and they were all gassed and then
I remember reading it and I thought 'Oh right, I better not get an ice cream then.'
so I just didn't get an ice cream, that was it.
They made the biggest deal when I was first in the squad.
They were playing Chelsea away
and I was asleep and I remember
waking up like, I don't even know why I woke up because it was my day off
but it was a good job I woke up.
I had a message saying "How fast can you get to the airport?"
"You're coming to Chelsea, you're in the squad, someone's not going."
I think Cancelo was ill or something.
So then I've ran upstairs and knocked on the door and said
"You're going to need to take me to the airport, I'm in the squad."
and my Dad was like "No you're not?"
And I was like "I am! Cancelo's ill." or whatever
and then he was just happy and then yeah, we went.
My debut was at Turf Moor, Burnley away
Like when he says your name, your heart just drops and then you just think
"I'm actually playing!" and then you just go and play.
I played alright. I should've scored there.
But I remember before that, my Dad said
"When you get the ball in the box, don't mess about like when it's on your right foot, just shoot."
So I was thinking "Alright sweet!" and then I got to the game,
and then I had the ball on my right foot
and then I just thought 'Remember what he said.' So I just shot.
But normally like, I would've chopped in
because the defender slid as well
and then the keeper saved and I was thinking 'No!'
Like, I should've chopped in but yeah.
So I was in the squad on the Saturday I think it was, at 3 o'clock.
I think I spoke to someone who like knows the rules, like saying if I play
a certain amount in this [Premier League], can I go and play over there, to the [under] 23's.
So obviously if you're going to play like 45 minutes or something you're not going to go and play
another game because obviously you'll be tired or whatever.
So then, I was like 'If I was to play 20 minutes or
less, I'd go and play over there.'
There's a picture of me stood next to Pep with my arms out,
because like he's saying "Can you play now and play later?"
So I was like "Yeah, I think so." And then Rodolfo [Borrell] came over,
and explained it, saying like, I can play
both games. So then, I only went on for like two minutes or whatever
and then, I remember coming back in, it was about 5 o'clock.
Like I still kept my socks on.
I changed my shorts because it has the number on.
I still kept my socks on and just put some pants over, and then
Jack [Grealish] asked me what I was doing,
and a few others asked me what I was doing, Phil [Foden] said
"Where you going?" and stuff and then I just told them and they were just dead surprised.
It's only a little bridge like, you just walk over to the bridge and you're there.
So it wasn't like it was dead far, it was just a two minute drive over.
That night I just felt like I had loads of energy for some reason.
I don't know why, and then I was just doing all sorts.
And then, I scored two in the first half.
And then, I couldn't score in the second half,
and then I think it was the 85th minute or something,
I got the ball on the edge of the box...
Whipped it and it went top corner and that was it.
My first goal at the Etihad.
That was my favourite.
That was probably the best moment of my life to be honest.
When I got put on I had a chance
before that and like
I just snatched at it because I was just
dead excited, you know what I mean? And then
I remember getting the ball on the halfway line and turning
and I've just seen loads of space in front of me,
so I just ran with it, and then I've seen Riyad [Mahrez] on the right
and I thought 'What should I do, should I pass it or should I not?' and then
I just thought 'I'm going to shoot' and I shot and it went in.
My plans are in the next couple of years,
break into the City first team
regularly, play, be a part of the team.
Win trophies and stuff like that.
It's just a dream isn't it, to go in everday with the best players in the world and train.
Like, they're your mates and stuff.
I've just got to keep going in everyday, improving and
I think I've still got a long way to go to be honest.