Norway national team coach Stale Solbakken criticised Oscar Bobb who faced a difficult outing for Norway as they were held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand on Tuesday night. The coach’s opinion highlighting problems in Bobb’s performance that Erling Haaland had already pointed out during training sessions before the game.
Bobb, a highly rated graduate of Manchester City’s academy, was handed a full 90 minutes in the friendly, but his display drew sharp words from Solbakken, who questioned several aspects of his play – from decision-making to positioning and pressing.
It was a concerning evaluation for the young forward, whose development has been closely watched at both club and international level.
Solbakken questions Bobb’s attitude and positioning
Norway boss Stale Solbakken criticised Oscar Bobb, describing his first-half display as one of his worst for the national team. Speaking to VG after the game, Solbakken 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.
“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.”
The 57-year-old’s comments were a stark reminder of the standards expected at international level. Despite his struggles, Solbakken kept faith in the Manchester City No. 52 for the entire match, perhaps hoping he would grow into the game.
However, the manager’s post-match remarks made it clear that the forward must improve both his on- and off-the-ball contributions.
Interestingly, Solbakken’s criticism mirrored a recent observation made by Erling Haaland, who reportedly noticed similar shortcomings during Norway’s training camp. The Manchester City striker, known for his relentless work rate, is said to have remarked that Bobb “was not running a lot in training” ahead of the draw with New Zealand.
Such comments from both Solbakken and Haaland highlight a recurring issue in Bobb’s game – a perceived lack of intensity and urgency. For a player operating under Pep Guardiola at club level, those traits are essential.
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Guardiola’s tactical system demands constant movement, quick passing decisions, and intelligent pressing – all areas where Bobb’s performance appeared to fall short on international duty.
City return offers wake-up call for Bobb
Bobb’s struggles against New Zealand come at a time when he is still working his way back from a challenging period physically. The winger suffered a broken leg in the summer of 2024, followed by a series of muscle problems affecting his hamstring and ankle. Those setbacks may have disrupted his rhythm and fitness, which could partly explain his subdued display.
Nevertheless, the timing of Solbakken’s comments means Bobb will return to Manchester City with much to reflect on. Pep Guardiola is known for his uncompromising standards, and any player failing to meet them risks being sidelined quickly.
The 22-year-old’s work rate, positioning, and pressing will be scrutinised closely when he rejoins training at the Etihad Campus.
Manchester City face Everton this Saturday as Premier League football resumes, a fixture that will see Jack Grealish return to the Etihad – albeit as a spectator.
The England international, currently on loan at Everton, cannot feature against his parent club due to the terms of the deal. However, Grealish’s situation serves as a reminder to young players like Bobb of what can happen when consistency and focus slip under Guardiola.
Despite his £100m price tag, Grealish himself admitted he “let himself down” at times during his City career by not always choosing “the right times” to switch off. Guardiola’s response was swift and unforgiving: the manager froze him out of key matches until his performances improved.
For Bobb, the lesson is clear. Talent alone is not enough to earn a long-term place in Guardiola’s system. The Catalan coach demands complete commitment from his players — tactically, mentally, and physically.
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Therefore, if the Norwegian forward does not address the issues highlighted by both Solbakken and Haaland, his opportunities at Manchester City could quickly become limited.
Still, there remains reason for optimism. At 22, Bobb has time on his side, and Guardiola’s staff are renowned for their ability to polish technically gifted players into disciplined, world-class performers.
