The Telegraph recently reported that three Manchester City youngsters will get a chance with the first team next year. The players are striker Kelechi Iheanacho, attacking midfielder Marcos Lopes and centerback Jason Denayer.
While Iheanacho and Lopes both excellent potential, the player City fans should be the most excited and optimistic for is the 19-year-old Belgian center back, Denayer.
Just yesterday, Denayer got his first start with Belgium, where he impressed as Belgium beat France 4-3 in a friendly. When Denayer was on the pitch, Belgium only allowed one goal. Denayer played with poise and maturity that you expect from a seasoned veteran, not a 19-year-old.
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It is a major statement of his ability that his manager, Marc Wilmots, started him against a big opponent like France, especially when the match was in France. Wilmots also offered praise for his 19-year-old center back, comparing him to Eden Hazard. Wilmots described Denayer as always being calm, adding that he’s never seen him nervous.
Denayer spent his 2014-15 campaign on loan with Celtic. In Scotland, Denayer made 29 league appearances for Celtic as they went on to win the Scottish Premiership by 17 points, conceding only 17 goals in 38 matches. With Denayer at center back, Celtic also went on to win the Scottish League Cup. The results clearly show how integral Denayer was to the success of his side.
Denayer’s manager last season, Ronny Deila, also has nothing but praise for the young Belgian. Deila rates Denayer so highly that he expressed an interest in Denayer spending a second season on loan with Celtic.
Denayer looks to be the brightest of City’s homegrown trio, in part because he has gotten the most playing time at a high-level. Iheanacho has never played in a competitive senior match and Lopes got less playtime with Lille than Denayer did at Celtic. Denayer also been capped at the senior level for international play, while the other two have played internationally, but not for the senior team.
Additionally, Denayer also has the perfect mentor for him at the club in Vincent Kompany. Denayer will benefit hugely from the instruction and guidance that City’s captain would be able to provide him. They are also teammates with Belgium, giving Kompany more opportunities to mold Denayer as his center back protégé. In fact, Kompany tweeted praise for Denayer following yesterday’s friendly.
Denayer also has the best chance of making a quick impact at City. Martin Demichelis, Eliaquim Mangala and Kompany all have questions surrounding them about how they’ll perform next season. Hopefully it won’t happen, but if one of more of them has a dip in form, Denayer will be next to step up.
Lopes and Iheanacho both have bright futures, but Denayer’s future looks to be the brightest. For Manchester City fans, that can be nothing but a cause for optimism.