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Aleix Garcia has the perfect professor in Pep Guardiola as he looks for more opportunities to impress at Manchester City.

The Spanish midfielder caught the eye in the 2-1 win over Swansea on Wednesday night, scoring the second goal and looking comfortable distributing the ball to his teammates.

Having turned down potential opportunities in La Liga to come to the Etihad last year, Garcia did not take long to move up through the ranks and is hoping Guardiola can lift his game to the next level.

An outstanding midfielder in an outstanding team during a distinguished playing career, the Catalan brought Sergio Busquets through with him from Barcelona B in his first coaching job and helped cultivate the talent of the player now regarded as one of the best in the world.

He also made it his mission to bring through teenage talent Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Bayern Munich with many hours spent on the training pitch, albeit with considerably less success.

Of all the youngsters coming through at City, Garcia is arguably most suited to Guardiola's football and is already reaping the benefits of learning from the coach's specific lessons for that position.

"Pep is one of the best managers in the world," the 19-year-old said.

"I'm very happy because he helps me a lot to improve.

"I really like the way he plays because it suits me very well so I always try to do what he asks me to do and I'm very happy under his command.

"I was very young when Pep was playing but I always like to watch football and to see the great players.

"He played in my position so of course I look to him.

"It's a great opportunity for me to be in the first team squad and I'm going to try and keep improving. I'm going to keep working hard so that I can have more opportunities."

Guardiola has shown a willingness to play youth from the outset of his time in Manchester, promoting five academy players to his first team squad and trusting Kelechi Iheanacho as the second choice striker.

While he started three teenagers at the Liberty Stadium, another derby at Old Trafford may require a stronger team if City are to continue the defence of their trophy.

In the next month, Garcia will be doing everything he can to show the manager why he should keep his place for the next round of the cup.

"It's going to be a great game to play," he said.

"I'm going to try to work hard so Pep gives me another chance for that game but it's going to be difficult because all my teammates are at so high a level.

"I'm going to keep working hard so that I have the chance."