Man City staff ‘wanted transfer ban’ to force Pep Guardiola to play youth like Chelsea manager Frank Lampard

MANCHESTER CITY staff ‘wanted’ a transfer ban to force Pep Guardiola to play the kids, according to reports.

The Premier League champions have seen Chelsea put under an embargo and manager Frank Lampard embracing it by bringing through a number of academy talents.

But according to the Daily Mail, a number of City staff ‘expressed regret’ that the club was not hit by Fifa after being found guilty of breaking regulations surrounding registering Under-18s players.

Chelsea were given a 12-month suspension from signing players for a greater number of similar offences while Manchester City were fined £315,000.

Lampard, with his arm somewhat twisted, turned to the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori.

The academy products have flourished this term, with the three getting Chelsea’s first 11 Premier League goals of the season.

It is a different story at the Etihad, though.

Manchester City are trying to rival Chelsea as England’s best academy set-up.

Phil Foden, who has made eight appearances in the Premier League this season, is one of the club’s most exciting youngsters.

And SunSport exclusively revealed that the 19-year-old is the only Manchester City player that Guardiola would never sell – not even for 500 million euros.

It is hardly surprising that Guardiola does not rely on the youngsters given City’s incredible strength in depth and expensive arrivals in the summer.

Rodri came in for a club-record £62.5million while Joao Cancelo was involved in a £25.8m plus Danilo deal.

City’s squad value – which is a staggering £1.15billion – is valued at nearly double that of neighbours Manchester United.