Ex-Super Eagles star confirms Man City coach Guardiola is keeping tabs on 17-goal striker Sodje

Retired Nigeria international Sam Sodje has confirmed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is keeping tabs on his nephew, Tai Sodje with a view to bringing him into the first team fold in future.

Tai Sodje is having a breakout 2020-2021 with 17 goals from 16 appearances for City's U18 team, making him the top scorer in the whole of the U18 Premier League (both north and south).

Former Reading and West Brom star Sodje has tipped Tai to break into the first team squad if he continues his impressive form.

Quizzed on the chances of Tai breaking into the first team, Sam Sodje told allnigeriasoccer.com : "He's developing really well, he's a young lad,  he's just 17 playing for Manchester City U18s so the system they play at that level is the same system they play in the first team.

"As long as he keeps doing well, scoring goals, I'm sure his chance will come but you know Manchester City is a big club, they've got a lot of good senior players. His chance will come soon."

He added : "He's in the system that Guardiola likes playing. I have watched him play couple of times and he's a top, top player - typical English striker.

"He has gone to train with the first team couple of times, he's doing so well now, and I'm sure Guardiola knows about his progress.

"Being the top goalscorer for the U18s and Manchester City, the whole football club not only Guardiola rate him really high".

Tai Sodje replaced Liam Delap, who has played three games for City's first team this season, in the 59th minute as the Citizens thrashed Birmingham City 6-1 in the third round of the FA Youth Cup on Friday, March 12.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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