“They rate him highly” – Sir Alex Ferguson’s son makes bold prediction for future of Manchester City defender

On-loan Manchester City defender Jadel Katongo has been tipped to feature for Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium in the future.

The teenager has spent the 2023/24 campaign on a season-long loan at Sky Bet League One side Peterborough United, with the Posh bidding to secure promotion to the Championship during the final weeks of the season.

Katongo had been at the City Football Academy for almost a decade, starting at the CFA’s Under-8s before advancing all the way to the Sky Blues’ Under-18s and Elite Development Squad.

The 19-year-old defender has made 22 Sky Bet League One appearances so far this season, and scored during a recent 3-1 win over Stevenage at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The defender has made a further 10 appearances for Darren Ferguson’s side this season, featuring in the Carabao Cup, Emirates FA Cup and EFL trophy competition.

Katongo’s impressive season at Peterborough has earned the versatile defender an England Under-20s call-up for the March international break, with the teen set to feature in a European Elite League fixture against Poland on Friday.

The teenager’s future beyond the current season has also recently come under scrutiny, with Katongo out of contract at Manchester City this summer.

Peterborough manager Ferguson has already hinted that he would be keen for the 19-year-old to return on-loan again next season, and even tipped the England Under-20s star to feature for the City first-team in the future.

“Jadel has been outstanding for us. He picks things up quickly and has a great temperament,” he told the Peterborough Telegraph.

“The loan has done him good and if City played him, and I know they rate him highly, he’d breeze through games.

“City might want to send him to a Championship club next season so we might want to take him again.”

Peterborough, who hosted Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup in March 2022, continue their promotion bid next Friday at home to Carlisle United.