Two Loan Players Have Loans Cancelled

Manchester City, like many top clubs, utilise the loan system to allow young players the opportunity to develop.

Stories have emerged in the last day or two about two young Manchester City players who are currently out on loan having their loan contracts cancelled.

Both of these tales are either cautionary warnings regarding the development of young players or examples of how well the existing system can work for parent clubs- depending upon your point of view.

The first story concerns young goalkeeper Aro Muric. You may recall that last season Muric served as back up to Ederson, folliwing season long injury to Claudio Bravo and did well in the games he played at City.

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The return to action of Bravo limited Muric’s appearances and in the belief he would benefit from more game time, he was sent on loan to Championship side Nottingham Forest.

The 21 year old initially featured for Forest but some poor results on the pitch saw him sidelined and a replacement first choice keeper was signed. In his 5 appearances at Forest he has conceded 9 goals.

Since then he has mainly failed to make the matchday squads amidst rumours of discontent concerning the player’s attitude.

Reports suggest Forest are looking to terminate the loan deal and that City are seeking another loan move for the remainder of the season, believing that minutes on the pitch is still the goal.

The second story concerns Patrick Roberts. Roberts was signed by City back in July 2015 for a fee of around £6 million and it was hoped this initial investment would be rewarded.

Since then a few career choices later – including where he seemingly chose to return to Celtic rather than train at City – and he would appear to be in the doldrums.

He initially had a succesful loan spell at Celtic and decided to return there for a second season but injury restricted his appearances. A season on loan at Girona was also ultinately unsuccessful and last Summer he made the move to Norwich on loan.

It was hoped that the opportunity to ply his trade in the Premier League would kick start his career, but this has not happened. At Norwich he has played just 23 minutes in the League where he is restricted to 4th choice winger.

It was therefore no surprise that City cancelled that loan yesterday and he joined Championship side, Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season. This is his last chance, and probably City’s too if they hope to recoup any fee at all in the Summer.

So, in the last couple of days two players have had their loan contracts cancelled. Let us hope that both get more minutes in the months ahead and return to City ready to contribute to the first team.