Manchester City star Oscar Bobb has been on the receiving end of a brutal assessment from Norway manager Stale Solbakken after an underwhelming performance in the recent draw to New Zealand. The Scandinavian side drew 1-1 with the All Whites, with RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa rescuing the game in the 62nd minute after going behind.
Harsh dose of reality for Norway winger
Bobb has become a favourite of Pep Guardiola this season, making eight appearances in all competitions for City in 2025-26. His fine form has been rewarded with plenty of minutes for his country too, with the 22-year-old featured in the World Cup qualifying win against Israel, as well as the friendly against New Zealand. Norway sit top of Group I, ahead of Italy, having won all six of their games so far. But that did not stop head coach Solbakken from unleashing his displeasure at Bobb's display across 90 minutes against Tuesday's opponents, even if it was only a friendly clash.
AdvertisementGetty Images'He is lacking everything'
Having started Bobb as a right winger against Israel, Solbakken moved him into a more central role for the New Zealand game, a mistake the Norway boss may not make again. Speaking after the game, he let loose on the City star, before backtracking in the latter stages of his rant.
He said: "He was very poor in the first half, he is lacking everything.
"He takes too long with the ball, positions himself strangely and doesn’t press well. He’s done that in training and been very good at it. But if you ask Oscar, I think he’ll say that the first half was his weakest performance for the national team. The second half was the next weakest. I’m not wasting any energy on that. He has performed very, very well in almost every game, both further up the pitch and further out. It’s not a concern."
Bobb backed by Guardiola
Bobb took to Instagram to accept the harsh critcism, but the forward will not be too phased by the comments. He has already earned significant praise from City boss Guardiola this season, who hailed the impact the Norwegian is having on his star-studded squad.
Speaking earlier in the campaign, Guardiola said: "I’m so happy he is back. I don’t know how long it is since he played 90 minutes maybe one year but he is so strong, so disciplined in defensive issues, incredible threat in small spaces.
"Hopefully he can be healthy. All I ask for him is to be healthy and strong in his head and I’m pretty sure he is going to help us in that position. He is another quality player from the Academy. In the last decade it has been unbelievable how many good players this club has created, there is an incredible team helping the Academy and I have a feeling right now in the EDS there are a lot of good players."
Bobb has become the latest name in an impressive list of academy success stories, following in the footsteps of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Liam Delap and Morgan Rogers. Foden is the only player who remains at the club from the previously mentioned quartet, and Bobb will be hoping to do the same. He will remain happy as long as he is getting regular minutes for his side, as they chase down the Premier League title having had a poor season by their standards in 2024-25.
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Since recovering from a broken leg last season, Bobb has slowly worked his way into Guardiola's plans, becoming one of his first-choice wingers this term. The academy product missed 48 games for his club last campaign, and is doing everything he can to stay fit and make up for lost time at the Etihad. He has featured in all but one of City's seven Premier League games this season, starting four of them. He has been less utilised in the Champions League, but will be happy with his current efforts to keep the likes of Savinho and Omar Marmoush out of the starting XI.
With the international break now over, Bobb will return to Manchester, as City gear up for Saturday's clash against Everton. There will be no Jack Grealish for the visitors, with the England international on loan from City, having been pushed out due to the talent of Bobb and Co.