Bantams youngster Gabe Wadsworth inspired by Yamal and Mainoo

Gifted young players like Lamine Yamal, Arda Guler and England’s own Kobbie Mainoo have been unleashed on the biggest stage – and outshone many of their far more senior counterparts.

Precocious Barcelona winger Yamal does not turn 17 until Saturday but has sparkled for the Spanish.

Nineteen-year-old Guler proved terrific for Turkey in their push to the last eight. Manchester United’s Mainoo has shown no hint of nerves when thrown into the England engine room.

Seeing such special talents given their chance has been a refreshing watch.

But could it have a knock-on effect at domestic level?

That’s certainly the belief of City first-year pro Gabe Wadsworth, who views the Euro starlets as trailblazers breaking down barriers for others just starting out like himself.

“The way football is going, many more young players are being involved and making an impact in the team,” he said.

“They are role models for me. I look up to people like Yamal and Kobbie Mainoo who have been doing so well for their clubs and internationally as well.

“Managers will look at that when you’ve got young players like that coming in and performing well. Age doesn’t matter.

“That’s a big plus for us, given my age as well.

“Every training session is an opportunity to improve and to impress the gaffer, coaches and your team-mates.”

Wadsworth certainly saw plenty of the ball during the second half of City’s first pre-season friendly at Chorley.

With Brad Halliday among the absentees, he took over from Alex Gilliead in the right wing-back role.

Gabe Wadsworth enjoyed his wing-back role at Chorley (Image: Max Lomas)

“I’ll take playing anywhere. You can put me in any position and I’ll try my best.

“Playing right wing back was a different position for me but I think I adjusted well.

“I had some good touches, put some good balls in and I think it went well.

“I’m more of a ball on the ground player, I want lots of touches and I got that.”

Wadsworth linked up with the returning Alex Pattison and youth-team defender George Goodman, who was playing behind him on the right of the back three.

“He’s another example of a young player coming into the side,” added Wadsworth. “I played with him in the academy and he was a year below me.

“Leon Brookes was on the other side (of the defence) as well, the same age as George and Muzza (Max Murray) in the first half. It just shows that if you’re good enough, then you’ll be able to get into the team.

“The way football is going, young players are getting many more opportunities to play in games like that. Hopefully we’ll go on to do better things in our career as well.”

Wadsworth is one of the three new pros in the squad. Harry Ibbitson travelled to Lancashire but did not get on while keeper Zac Hadi is currently injured.

He is knuckling down to a first senior pre-season – and the jump involved from what he has been used to.

“It’s been tough and demanding but that’s what you expect from first-team football.

“I feel I’ve been doing well, so hopefully I can stick to it and keep going and impress the coaches and the gaffer.

“There’s no stepping stone here like the under-21s. It’s straight from the under-19s to first team but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

“I certainly look up to the players around me. It’s a big step from under-19s football to the first team with the tempo and physicality.

Max Murray arrives at Chorley's Victory Park on Saturday (Image: Max Lomas)

“You do look around at the others and think, ‘I want to be there at that same level’.

“I think I’ve got the ability to do that so there’s nothing stopping me really.”

Meanwhile, Noah Wadsworth is preparing for Hull’s warm-weather training camp in Istanbul next week.

He signed a year's deal for the Tigers' under-21s after catching their eye on trial at the end of last season.

“Noah is doing well,” said his younger brother. “He’s just doing pre-season and getting his fitness right.

“Hopefully he can push on and do good things as well.”

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