The 18-year-old was part of the travelling first team US tour party this summer, featuring in all three games and scoring twice, and has continued to train alongside Pep Guardiola’s squad since they returned to England.
The step-up no doubt presents new tests for the Spaniard, who, despite his tender years, is welcoming the pressure the first team environment brings.
“It’s really good to be involved, for both me and the other young players,” he explained.
“It’s where we want to get to. I have that ambition and I need that pressure.
“The pre-season goals were good for my confidence, but I need to keep working hard, playing well and learning from everyone.”
With seasoned performers like Yaya Toure alongside him in midfield, there’s no shortage of suitable mentors for the Malaga-native to pick the brains of and he speaks glowingly of his team-mates’ willingness to help the younger members of the squad.
“David Silva and I, we’re very good friends and I can speak with him a lot about football and I learn a lot from him,” said Diaz.
“But, to be honest, everyone is the same. They’re all really good people and as players they are amazing and I just want to keep learning from them and try to get in the team.”
The midfielder admits Guardiola has told him to keep enjoying his football and, back in the EDS squad for the 2-2 draw against Leicester, it certainly looked like Diaz had taken note of the manager’s words.
With his pace, trickery and willingness to commit defenders, he was a constant threat against the Foxes, in what was his final game before heading off to join up with the Spanish U21 squad.
It’s Diaz’s first involvement with La Rojita, who are set to face Italy and Estonia during the international break and he spoke of his pride at receiving the call, before departing for the training camp.
“I am so proud to be with them,” he added.
“To go with the national team is always an honour and to go with the U21s is one more step in my career so I’ll keep working hard and hope to be involved.”
