Manchester City went down to a 2-1 defeat against Brighton at the Amex Stadium yesterday. The loss was City’s fourth consecutive loss in all competitions. It is hard to find positives after watching Pep Guardiola’s side get run over by Fabian Hurzeler’s side in the second half yesterday. But the performance of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was one positive to take from City’s defeat. Based on his performance yesterday and against Sporting CP, it looks like Manchester City has found a player in the young defender.
Yesterday Jahmai Simpson-Pusey lined up alongside Josko Gvardiol at centre back. Injuries have robbed Pep Guardiola of his four first-choice centre-backs. John Stones and Ruben Dias were unavailable for yesterday’s match. Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are currently battling their fitness issues. That forced Pep Guardiola to turn to Josko Gvardiol and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. Come the final whistle, Simpson-Pusey had shown that he could play at the top level.
READ MORE: Manchester City are beginning to look slow and old as Brighton showed at the Amex Stadium.
The young defender was far from disgraced in his Premier League debut. It isn’t a stretch to say he was City’s best defender on a dark day for the world champions. Kyle Walker was good for an hour before he looked to run out of gas. Rico Lewis wasn’t at his best at left-back. Josko Gvardiol was another player who didn’t meet his usual high standards. Simpson-Pusey was calm and composed in defence. He defended well and was also good in possession. He had some trying moments but that is to be expected for a young player.
Speaking after his team’s defeat Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the young defender. In quotes relayed by reporter Ryan Taylor via X Guardiola said: “The young lad played really good. It’s not easy for him. The young players usually come in with support from Rodri. He performed unbelievably & we have a central defender to help us in the future.”
It has been a tough week for Manchester City. The defeats to Sporting and Brighton have capped off a barren run for the world champions. But they look to have a found a player in Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. The biggest compliment you can give the young defender is he has looked to be the best of City’s defenders in a tough week for the champions against Sporting and Brighton. That says something about how talented Simpson-Pusey is and just how poor City’s defenders have been of late.
