'Done what I need to' - Man City defender leaves door open to summer transfer

Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has spoken about his future after a brilliant breakout season at first team and under-21 level.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey wants to play first team football next season, and recognises that might mean moving away from Manchester City for the first time.

City's breakout star of the academy this year earned a senior debut and made six appearances for Pep Guardiola's men in total. Those appearances came during City's rotten form over the winter as injuries ruled out a number of first team defenders and Simpson-Pusey was thrown into a Champions League away clash at Sporting, a Premier League debut away to Brighton, and a Carabao Cup bow at Tottenham.

After injury, Simpson-Pusey returned to the under-21s where he led them to the Premier League 2 title and subsequent play-off success to win the league outright. He became the first defender to win the PL2 Player of the Season award, and now feels he has completed his academy journey.

That has opened the door for a potential transfer next season, either permanently or on loan, as a number of under-21 players prepare for talks to decide their next steps after the season's conclusion.

"I just want to play first team football to be honest," Simpson-Pusey said after City beat Southampton in the PL2 play-off final last week. "I feel like I've done what I've needed to do with the under-21s. I just want to play first team football."

Simpson-Pusey remained tight-lipped when asked if that statement meant he would be open to playing away from City, but insisted he simply wants to step up next season.

"I guess we'll see, that's not on my mind yet," he said. "But I'm definitely ready."

Guardiola has told City that he wants a smaller squad next season having ended the campaign with around six players having to be left out of his matchday squad each game. That number didn't include Simpson-Pusey, who was with the academy, after City spent £63m on Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in January - although Guardiola said his smaller squad ambitions would require a reliance on the academy in the event of injuries.

Simpson-Pusey's stance is backed up by City coach Ben Wilkinson, who said the defender has shown himself to be ready for a senior environment next season.

"As a centre-back at this club this year he's had an unbelievable football experience," Wilkinson said. "Being thrown into the first team at a really difficult moment, performing to a decent level in those games and then the players recover fitness and you're out of it and then back playing U21s.

"You go from a Champions League game at Sporting to playing in front of 500. There's a huge change in that so for him to be rewarded with Player of the Season tells you how he's performed in those games. I always think he steps up in the bigger moments, he was outstanding in the second half and really showed what he is capable of without the ball.

"He's had a great season and who knows what is next but he probably wants to leave U21 football and the fact he can leave it having lifted the Youth Cup at the end of last year and PL2 trophy this year means he can be really proud of his academy journey."

As well as Simpson-Pusey, under-21 striker Divin Mubama looks set to move on from academy football in whatever guise that may take.

"We've got players in our team we'd expect not to see next year, they're ready to make that step and he's probably one of them," Wilkinson told MEN Sport recently.

"It's trying to help with that next step and guide them in the right direction. What's the best fit, what's right for him. Because he's not going to be playing under-21 football next season that's for sure."

--

Here at The Manchester Evening News, we're dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get the club's breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.

And, finally, if you'd rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.