Who is Jahmai Simpson-Pusey? Man City defender handed debut at Sporting and idolises Sergio Ramos
Manchester City have handed a full debut to centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey at Sporting in the Champions League.
Only four Manchester City players can say they have lifted the FA Youth Cup. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is one of them.
Promoted to under-18 captain last season after injury to Lakyle Samuel, centre-back Simpson-Pusey stepped up and wrote his name into club history by leading the youth team and lifting the most prestigious academy trophy. He only discovered he would wear the armband when he walked into the Etihad Stadium dressing room that evening. Now his picture lifting the trophy adorns the press conference room at the Etihad.
The youngster, 19, was rewarded with a place in Pep Guardiola's pre-season tour squad, starting against Celtic and AC Milan as senior players returned slowly after Euro 2024. Now he is starting in the Champions League at Sporting Lisbon for Guardiola's first team as his whirlwind 2024 continues.
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A defender comfortable with the ball at his feet, Simpson-Pusey has stepped up to the under-21s this season. He has been at City since he was a young boy, turning down Manchester United even though he enjoyed their sessions more than City's. After taking advice, his family decided the Blues' more structured sessions would have more benefit over time.
"I am a very ball-playing centre back but I also love to defend so it doesn’t feel like a chore," he told MEN Sport ahead of that Youth Cup final. "I am always ready to defend. I don’t mind heading the ball. A lot of people don’t want to head the ball, I don’t mind it as long as I am not conceding a goal."
"I feel like because I am at City and we are a very ball-playing team and we have possession for most of the game. In everyone’s head, as a defender we always think about the ball first. Defending is probably the last thing on our mind but I like defending so I take extra care.
"When you make a clutch one-v-one and you win the ball back last man it gives you a buzz. It’s like scoring a goal but not scoring a goal."
So who does Simpson-Pusey base his game on? There are the obvious contenders in the City first-team dressing room. And then there is a defender less associated with the passing style and build-up of the Blues.
"Growing up I used to watch Sergio Ramos because I like his aggression," the teenager said. "I have been watching Ruben Dias, he is such a good leader and is aggressive on and off the ball and John Stones because of the way he plays."
He is not just an old-school centre-back throwback, however. Simpson-Pusey has developed his position in the last 12 months to move into midfield like Stones, and has even played on his own as a holding midfielder. He is equally comfortable in a back three - giving him the versatility City covet from their defenders.
Simpson-Pusey earned a call-up at Tottenham for the first time in a competitive match, coming off the bench in the second half for his senior debut - a performance Guardiola called 'exceptional'. Teammate and fellow academy graduate Nico O'Reilly said: “He’s such a composed player on the ball and a solid defender. I’m really happy for him as well because he’s one of my close friends.”
Now, Simpson-Pusey is a fully-fledged City player, making his full debut in an away Champions League game. In the space of just a few months, he has been promoted from the under-18s to the under-21s and now the first team, lifting the Youth Cup in the process.
You get the sense that even a hostile atmosphere at Sporting won't faze him.