Who is Farid Alfa-Ruprecht? Man City winger who plays like Jeremy Doku and 'humiliates' opponents
Farid Alfa-Ruprecht has been called up to Manchester City's first team for the Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham on Wednesday night.
With Jeremy Doku still out and Jack Grealish also injured, Pep Guardiola has called up prolific winger Farid Alfa-Ruprecht into his Manchester City squad for the Carabao Cup clash at Tottenham tonight.
City's top-scorer in the academy this season, Alfa-Ruprecht has seven goals and three assists from nine appearances. The Germany youth international is thriving in his third season at the club after moving from Hamburg as a 16-year-old and taking some time to adapt to his new surroundings.
A starring role in last season's FA Youth Cup final, where he grabbed an assist, earned him a promotion to the under-21s this season and he has rewarded City's coaches with plenty of goals already.
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"I'm a fast player, I can take players on, dribble. I'm exciting to watch," he told MEN Sport in September. "I definitely watch [Leroy] Sane, he's also a winger. I see a couple of things that he does on the pitch and also try to do it. I like [Jeremy] Doku, Mbappe, the flair players.
"I watch the first team players in games too and try to do what they're good at, put some things on my game and improve every day. I've got a similar playing style to Doku. I like Mbappe.
"But I want to be Farid first, be my own version, the best version I can be. Just play my game, and learn every day from first-team players.
"I admire the mindset of when something doesn't go right, go again and go again. Eventually you will get in and score or assist, that's why everyone is talking about him [Doku]. It's definitely a good feeling to take people on, to bring the defender thinking 'what can I do next', and just humiliate him!"
In that interview, Alfa-Ruprecht declared his ambitions to break into Pep Guardiola's first team after failing to earn a call-up to the pre-season tour squad this summer.
"I think I've improved a lot and I'm looking to improve more and get into the first team," he said. "For me and my game, I look to just help the team with goals and assists. That's what I'm looking to do with the next games."
He's put his money where his mouth is with his impressive form at academy level, and trained with the first team before a recent Champions League game. Now he's in the senior squad for the first time.
And whether one appearance leads to more, City coaches are confident the winger is on the right track, challenging him to be consistent in his performances and output.
"I'm sure with the assets he's got he's got a real chance of having a good career," said EDS head coach Wilkinson of Alfa-Ruprecht, who worked with him at under-18 level. "Because he's exceptionally quick - that's what people pay big money for in world football. If you can add consistency in your end product it gives you a real chance.
"He's in a good moment at the moment, showing some real good form. I wouldn't want to play against him in terms of what he offers you. He's definitely going in the right direction and for us it's pleasing and hopefully he can continue for the rest of the season."