PEP GUARDIOLA has given a clear indication he WILL allow Paddy Roberts to go on loan again.
The Manchester City boss made TEN substitutions in the weekend 3-0 International Challenge Cup win over Spurs in Nashville.
However, the Celtic target, who spent 18 months at the Hoops before returning to the Etihad at the end of the historic treble-winning campaign, was left on the bench.
Roberts hasn’t even played a full hour in City’s three-game pre-season campaign in the States.
The 20-year-old winger started the 2-0 defeat against Manchester United 10 days ago, but was taken off at the interval with Brahim Diaz coming on.
He replaced veteran Yaya Toure with 11 minutes to go in the 4-1 victory over Real Madrid on Thursday before being overlooked completely against the White Hart Lane outfit.
It is looking increasingly as though the England Under-21 international will not make big-spending Guardiola’s final 25-man squad for the forthcoming campaign.
The Etihad gaffer has splashed an amazing £209million on five recruits during the summer – and more arrivals are expected.
Guardiola started his shopping spree with a £43.6m swoop for Monaco playmaker Bernado Silva. Keeper Ederson Moraes followed in a £35m move from Benfica.
The Spaniard then bought three full-backs – Kyle Walker, from Spurs in a deal that could reach £54m, Benjamin Mendy, £49.9m from Monaco, and Real Madrid’s Danilo for £26.5m.
Roberts, who cost £12m from Fulham two years ago, has been pushed down the pecking order – and Brendan Rodgers admitted he has asked to be kept informed of the player’s situation.
The Hoops boss, though, insisted he is willing to play the waiting game before bringing in the right calibre of player.
He said: “You want to bring in quality and quality’s not available at that time in the market.
“Not unless you’ve got £80m or £90m to spend.
“We’re always going to have to wait if we’re looking for that extra bit of quality.
“Like Scott Sinclair, who never came in until the last weekend last year.
“Does that make the timing a danger? Absolutely, but quality takes that time.”
Roberts got a close-up view of his team’s runaway victory over Spurs with John Stones heading them into the lead in the 10th minute.
Wing rival Raheem Sterling hit the second in the 72nd minute and Diaz added a third in injury time.
Now Roberts, who has also been linked with a loan deal at Southampton, will be wondering if he will get the chance to impress Guardiola in City’s next friendly against West Ham in Reykjavik on Friday.
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