Ever since Sheikh Mansour and Abu Dhabi sports group brought Manchester City, the club developed a plan for consistent success. The infrastructure was built, the first team was brought and now the academy system is coming to fruition.
Every club, no matter the size of their riches, has to build a base and requires a gem or two from the youth academy to come through. That youth star will connect quicker with the fan base than a new signing and will save the club a lot of money.
Pep Guardiola is well aware of the importance of a good, solid youth structure after growing up through the infamous La Masia academy at Barcelona and used more recent graduates in his managerial success at his homegrown club. Txiki Begiristain will also be well aware.
The club is now beginning to take stock of the talent within the local community and snapping up potential Premier League players from across the country and Europe.
Some of the players have slipped through the net though, with Jadon Sancho going to Germany for further first-team opportunities and Joel Latibeaudiere refusing a new contract in order to play at the highest level in the professional game.
Phil Foden, Daniel Grimshaw, Lukas Nmecha are all home-grown potential stars, while Brahim Diaz, Bersant Celina and Thierry Ambrose have been sourced while young at other clubs.
Then there is Nathanael Ogbeta, Tommy Doyle, Bobby Duncan who will likely to progress into the early development squad in the coming years, and hopefully, into the first team.
But, with a plethora of stars blocking a more consistent move into the first team, loan moves are the next option that will help their development or will training with the first team be enough?
Is it clear that Foden will be staying at the Etihad next season as he is seen as the ideal replacement for the departed Yaya Toure and ageing David Silva.
https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1007186380735352832
The 18-year old will have limited first-team opportunities in the coming 12 months, however, the chance of learning under the tutorship of Pep Guardiola and his coaching team ever day will nurture his talent. The midfielder will be eased into Premier League and Champions League in order to learn and understand the game.
Foden has been earmarked as a future world star and has been invited to watch the World Cup with Nike, along with a number of promising youngsters.
Next: World Cup: City players to lead England to glory
For the others, the loan system will benefit their progress, as the players are too good for the Premier League Development and not good enough for regular first-team action.
Thierry Ambrose and Brahim Diaz will likely be subject to loan deals this year, with a number of European clubs circling for the two stars. OGC Nice in the charge of Patrick Vieira and City’s sister clubs, Girona and NAC Breda, could be the potential suitors.
For many other players, getting regular action for youth squads will be beneficial in itself allowing the club hierarchy to keep a close on the future stars.
One thing for certain is City is heading in the right direction with the club seeking young talent is just as important as first team additions.