Farid Alfa-Ruprecht Aspires to Follow in the Footsteps of Manchester City Wingers
Manchester City has a reputation for producing dynamic wingers, with players like Leroy Sane and Jeremy Doku standing out in recent years. Now, another rising star, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, aims to leave his mark in a similar way.
“I play a bit like Doku. I admire Mbappe, but my main goal is to be the best version of myself, Farid,” the young winger says confidently.
With City’s academy continuing its success, bringing in £62 million from homegrown talent this year, there is no shortage of opportunities for players like Alfa-Ruprecht to break through. Manager Pep Guardiola has already promoted young star Nico O’Reilly to the first team, signaling the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
Changes have also been made to the coaching staff, with Ben Wilkinson stepping up to lead the under-21 squad, and Oliver Reiss joining from Germany. These shifts mean more chances for academy players to seize their moment, whether by securing a big-money move or earning a spot in Guardiola’s squad.
Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, one of the promising wingers, is ready to take his chance. Benefiting from the departures of Joel Ndala and Micah Hamilton, the young player will have more minutes to showcase his talents, potentially catching the eye of scouts looking for the next breakout star like Cole Palmer or Oscar Bobb.
Ben Wilkinson, the new head coach for the Elite Development Squad (EDS), praises Alfa-Ruprecht’s potential. “He’s incredibly fast, which is a highly valued asset in football today. If he can improve his consistency, he has a real shot at a great career.”
Consistency, however, has been the key focus for Alfa-Ruprecht. His first two years at City were about adjusting to life in a new country, as the young German moved to England at 16 after starting his football journey at Hamburg.
Recalling those early days, Wilkinson highlights the importance of patience in Alfa-Ruprecht’s development. “When he first arrived, he didn’t speak much English. Adjusting to a new country and a demanding football environment at such a young age is no small feat. He has worked hard to understand his role as a winger and what we expect from him both on and off the ball. The next step for him is maintaining that consistency in the under-21 league.”
Alfa-Ruprecht’s transition to life in Manchester was helped by family support, as his father had moved to Stoke for work, living with four of Alfa-Ruprecht’s seven siblings. His family, along with City’s staff and players, made the transition smoother for him, helping him get up to speed with the language and settle into his new life.
Speaking to the *Manchester Evening News*, Alfa-Ruprecht expressed his gratitude for the guidance he’s received. “The coaches and players have really helped me settle in. Ben’s been with me since the start, and it’s great to have a coach who knows my journey and continues to help me develop my game.”
A youth international for Germany, Alfa-Ruprecht relishes the opportunity to learn from watching senior players like Leroy Sane, Jeremy Doku, and Kylian Mbappe. Their flair and ability to take on defenders resonate with Alfa-Ruprecht’s style, and he’s eager to bring similar excitement to his own performances.
“I’m a fast player who loves taking on defenders and dribbling. It’s exciting to see German players excel at City, and I want to follow in their footsteps. I admire Doku’s resilience—if something doesn’t work, he keeps trying until he succeeds. That’s what makes him stand out.”
Alfa-Ruprecht’s drive to embarrass defenders with his one-on-one skills is clear. He delights in the challenge, saying, “It’s a great feeling to leave a defender wondering what to do next, to outplay them and make them look helpless.”
Though still young, Alfa-Ruprecht has already experienced success, including lifting the FA Youth Cup at the Etihad Stadium. His focus remains on consistency, learning from Guardiola’s team, and absorbing what he can from watching Doku in action.
With 12 goals and 11 assists across 59 youth appearances for City, Alfa-Ruprecht has already made his presence known. His ambition is clear: “I’ve improved a lot, but there’s still more to come. I want to help the team with goals and assists, and I’m watching and learning from the first team every chance I get.”
Though he looks up to Doku and Mbappe, Alfa-Ruprecht emphasizes his desire to carve out his own identity: “I play in a similar style, but at the end of the day, I want to be my own player, the best version of Farid.”
