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Rabbi Matondo is only 18-years-old, but he has already made a telling impression at Manchester City.

Despite having never played a single minute of competitive football for Pep Guardiola's side, the Wales youth international already has one ability to brag about in front of first-team stars Leroy Sane, Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling - he's quicker.

Staff at former club Cardiff still talk about the exciting young winger, with many believing Matondo is the brightest talent to emerge from the Premier League side's academy since Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.

With seven goals in 10 games for City at reserve level this season it is no surprise Matondo is being tipped to make it big in the sport he has loved ever since he was a child.

Playing against older children while growing up in the Tremorfa suburb of Cardiff helped prepare the City winger for a football education of participating ahead of his typical age-bracket.

His inclusion in the latest Wales U21 squad is another reminder of the maturity he has shown in his development - and the suggestion of a senior call-up to Ryan Giggs' first-team remains on the cards.

It's been a whirlwind rise for the City youngster, but Matondo is still hungry for more, and now he wants his progression to the first team to be as fast as his legendary training ground sprints.

“We did fitness tests and obviously we had to do 20m sprints and other things as well,” he told Wales Online.

“It turned out my time was the fastest in the academy, and it later came out that it was the fastest in the whole club.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“I’m not too sure about that personally, but that’s what they said, and as you know there’s some really fast players at Manchester City.

“I’m not really bothered by it, but of course everyone’s going to talk about it, if it is true. There’s nothing I can do about that.”

Matondo speaks modestly about the speed records he has set at the CFA, and it is refreshing to see the grounded attitude which bodes well for a future in senior football.

Instead the speedy starlet is keen to make an impression on Pep Guardiola, and his inclusion in the club's pre-season schedule was a step in the right direction.

"For me he's the best manager in the world, and to even be on the same pitch as him is an honour in itself," says Matondo of Guardiola.

"I'm very thankful for getting the chance to witness first hand how he manages the team and how he goes about things."