"You know, the first time I really watched this kid was in the Europa League semi-final against Manchester United," he said. "And I remember the first time the ball came to his feet, immediately, you could see something. The way he touched the ball. The way he carried it. The way he ran with it. There are players where you need to watch ten games to understand. With him, you saw it very quickly."
He gestured lightly with his hand.
"I'm not saying that to put too much pressure on him, because he is still a kid. We have to remember that. But to come this far in such a short amount of time, from Frankfurt, to the German national team, now to Manchester City, and to not look out of place? That is incredible. He is already playing like he believes he belongs there."
Kate nodded.
"And tonight, Champions League."
