Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on 17-year-old Eric Garcia after he made his senior debut against Leicester City last night.

The Spaniard did not look out of place on his first appearance for the club, and Guardiola was effusive about the centre-back’s performance following the penalty shootout win over the Foxes in the Carabao Cup:

“He‘s a guy that has a lot of sense of the position. He’s so smart and he’s not the strongest in the air or the fastest one but few times the opposition win one position, he’s able to guide the line and has a lot of personality to play.”

“He has good vision, a good pass. It’s incredible, I’m very pleased. He didn’t make one mistake and with the ball he played with huge personality.”

Supporters on Twitter echoed the City boss’s comments:

Was flawless

— LF (@FearTheFoden) 18 December 2018

What a future this lad has, fantastic debut.

— jon allday (@jonallday1) 19 December 2018

Talented. The new Puyol or Cannavaro for me. Not the biggest nor will he ever be but anticipation and calmness really to be admired.

— springfieldmcfc (@iainab99) 18 December 2018

Eric García looks absolutely class, no wonder the La Masia people were so distraught at losing him. 17 years old.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) 18 December 2018

Eric Garcia is soo good.

— OFF Dynasty (@Citysbs) 18 December 2018

One for the future

— Ubaid Bashir (@UbaidBashir04) 19 December 2018

Sounds a bit like Fabio Cannavaro. He turned out alright.

— D Young (@statto99) 19 December 2018

It’s time we make him a defensive midfielder instead of center back. He is not tall enough to be a cb. No we don’t want mascherano here.

— Muhammad Owais Khan (@owaiskhan75) 19 December 2018

Some moments where he crumbled a bit, but overall he was really good. And he’s 17 aswell ?. Already looks like he’s in his mid 20’s.

— Lex (@lexmcfc) 18 December 2018

For City fans, it’s good to see that a number of young players are being given opportunities in the starting eleven this season. Along with Garcia, Guardiola also gave a number of other youngsters chances to shine including Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz and Arijanet Muric.

Garcia certainly took his chance, along with Muric who was City’s saviour in the shootout by saving two penalties. The 20-year-old, who is 6ft 6in, has played all three rounds in the competition so far, and like Garcia, he will be hoping for another chance in the semi-final.