Pep Guardiola: Man City Will Do 'Absolutely Everything' to Keep Brahim Diaz

Christopher Simpson @@CJSimpsonBRFeatured ColumnistNovember 2, 2018

Manchester City's Spanish-born midfielder Brahim Diaz (L) is embraced by Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola as he is substituted during the English League Cup, 4th round football match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 1, 2018. (Photo by Lindsey PARNABY / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has assured supporters that the club will do "absolutely everything" to ensure Brahim Diaz stays after his brace against Fulham on Thursday.

The 19-year-old scored twice as City won 2-0 in the Carabao Cup, but he's in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Per Goal's Jack Sear, Guardiola said:

"Playing in the top teams is not easy for young players, but he showed his qualities again. His training is always incredible, and he's really appreciated by all of us.

"He played well against Oxford [United] in the previous round. Everyone here is ready to play in the first team, otherwise he wouldn't be here.

"He knows we want him, but after that it's down to his agent and himself. We will do absolutely everything to keep him with us—afterwards he decides. We want him, but at the end it doesn't depend on us."

Diaz opened the scoring after 18 minutes with a deflected effort after a promising start, as The Times' Paul Hirst noted:

Paul Hirst @hirstclass
City take the lead through Brahim Diaz. Shot took a big deflection off Mitrovic. The young Spaniard has started brightly down the right. Lots of tricks and intelligent movement

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He then rifled in a second-half rebound after Gabriel Jesus had seen his shot saved on to the post by Sergio Rico.

The teenager revealed his delight at the brace on Twitter:

Brahim @Brahim
I always wondered how it would sound having my name chanted from the stands after scoring a goal. Now I have done it. Twice. And it’s unreal. Thank you for all your messages! On to the next round! ✨ https://t.co/Qd8auCCVCq

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin enjoyed Diaz's performance, while WhoScored.com supplied the numbers behind it:

BBC 5 Live Sport on BBC Sounds @5liveSport
"I've been impressed by Brahim Diaz, and not just because of the goal." Brahim Diaz's first senior goal has #mcfc in front. 📲 https://t.co/Biy20Flxn8 ⚽️#MCIFUL 🏆 #EFLCup https://t.co/m4LvXiSmWu

WhoScored.com @WhoScored
Brahim Diaz: Man of the Match vs Fulham - Rating 8.91, Goals 2, Shots(OT) 4(3), Interceptions 2, Dribbles 1, Key Passes 1, Tackles 1 @ManCity Full player ratings -- https://t.co/ohZfO9dNge https://t.co/nvn76E5doY

It was Diaz's third outing of the campaign after he made a 15-minute cameo in the Community Shield and started the Sky Blues' 3-0 win over Oxford United in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.

Despite only featuring in one Carabao Cup match last year, Diaz made 10 senior appearances for City in all competitions.

Guardiola will likely need to hand him at least as many games this season to convince him to remain at the club or he may opt to follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and seek first-team football elsewhere.

Sancho left City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017 after failing to make an appearance for the club, and the German outfit are interested in signing Diaz as well, according to Metro's Sean Kearns.

The Spaniard's impressive showing on Thursday should lead to more opportunities in the coming months, though. And if he can see a path to the senior side at City, there will be little reason for him to leave the club.