Contrary to popular belief in recent years, I can exclusively reveal that Manchester City do in fact have a youth academy – and it gets better. There are some quite good prospects making their way through the ranks in recent times, from defence to attack. Here, I aim to talk about five of my favourites, and their possible future jaunts in the blue side of Manchester.
Starting off in defence, there’s Matias Bossaerts, who City picked up from Anderlecht a couple of years ago as a 16-year-old, and have been developing since. He’s been labelled at times as similar to rock-at-the-back Vincent Kompany, and has been impressing in the Elite Development Squad, catching the eye of many City fans. Whilst he may not yet be ready for the first team, we could well see him partnering Matija Nastasic in the heart of the back-line within a few seasons’ time, replacing the captain Kompany.
Another of my top five has to be the Dutchman Karim Rekik. He’s perhaps the one who has made the most progress in his career so far. Having already been called up to the senior Netherlands squad in August, at just 18, the left-back has been making an impression on loan at PSV Eindhoven this summer, and could be ready to make the leap into City’s first-team squad when he returns from his homeland next summer.
Moving into midfield, Seko Fofana is a name that has made it onto this list, despite being relatively unknown to most non-City supporters (and even some fans of the Blues). The French-born midfielder has been catching the eye for the EDS, even at just 18 years of age, and has also turned out for France’s youth sides. He has been likened to the iconic Yaya Toure, and once that Ivorian central midfielder moves on or retires, Fofana could well be stood in wings ready to take over.
Jose Pozo is a name that was highly talked-about when City first signed him from Spanish giants Real Madrid just over a year ago. His progress may have halted due to a lengthy period of injury over the last few months, but the attacking midfielder is still highly-thought of amongst City fans, and also within the club. However, with an abundance of talent in the attacking midfield area, Pozo could be destined to struggle when faced with the likes of David Silva in competition for the starting spot.
I think I may have saved the best until last – Marcos ‘Rony’ Lopes. The young Portuguese winger was signed from Benfica at the start of summer 2012, and was highlighted by both David Platt and Roberto Mancini as someone who could make an instant impact, despite being just 16 when he was signed. While he may not have had a huge chance to shine last season, he did make his mark when he scored against Watford in the FA Cup in January, just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute. Indeed, there is a huge feeling amongst the City camp that Lopes could well be a star for the Blues in the coming years, and he could very easily become a fan favourite at the Etihad as well.
Talents like these are the reason that I get annoyed when I see people say that City don’t produce any youth talent, especially since the takeover in 2008. This is simply not true. Over two dozen players from the academy made their debuts for the Citizens under Mancini, and there is signs that more of the same could happen under the new manager Pellegrini. Whilst it is true that City buy a lot of expensive talent from around the world, it’s also true that we can produce our own as well.
I may have listed five players who I believe are the best prospects for the club, it was a tough decision. I left out players like Ian Lawlor (a young Irish goalkeeper) and George Evans from the list, along with a lot of others. Whilst it’s difficult to explain why these players have or haven’t made the cut, they all have talent, which is why they are still at City. They all have bright futures ahead of them in the game, be it with Manchester City, or elsewhere. But, considering they are still at such a big side at the ages of 18 or 19, they obviously have a lot of talent. So, in theory, they should all be able to make it. That is why the future is bright for Manchester City.
Written by Ben Warner - @TurnDeCruyff
Starting off in defence, there’s Matias Bossaerts, who City picked up from Anderlecht a couple of years ago as a 16-year-old, and have been developing since. He’s been labelled at times as similar to rock-at-the-back Vincent Kompany, and has been impressing in the Elite Development Squad, catching the eye of many City fans. Whilst he may not yet be ready for the first team, we could well see him partnering Matija Nastasic in the heart of the back-line within a few seasons’ time, replacing the captain Kompany.
Another of my top five has to be the Dutchman Karim Rekik. He’s perhaps the one who has made the most progress in his career so far. Having already been called up to the senior Netherlands squad in August, at just 18, the left-back has been making an impression on loan at PSV Eindhoven this summer, and could be ready to make the leap into City’s first-team squad when he returns from his homeland next summer.
Moving into midfield, Seko Fofana is a name that has made it onto this list, despite being relatively unknown to most non-City supporters (and even some fans of the Blues). The French-born midfielder has been catching the eye for the EDS, even at just 18 years of age, and has also turned out for France’s youth sides. He has been likened to the iconic Yaya Toure, and once that Ivorian central midfielder moves on or retires, Fofana could well be stood in wings ready to take over.
Jose Pozo is a name that was highly talked-about when City first signed him from Spanish giants Real Madrid just over a year ago. His progress may have halted due to a lengthy period of injury over the last few months, but the attacking midfielder is still highly-thought of amongst City fans, and also within the club. However, with an abundance of talent in the attacking midfield area, Pozo could be destined to struggle when faced with the likes of David Silva in competition for the starting spot.
I think I may have saved the best until last – Marcos ‘Rony’ Lopes. The young Portuguese winger was signed from Benfica at the start of summer 2012, and was highlighted by both David Platt and Roberto Mancini as someone who could make an instant impact, despite being just 16 when he was signed. While he may not have had a huge chance to shine last season, he did make his mark when he scored against Watford in the FA Cup in January, just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute. Indeed, there is a huge feeling amongst the City camp that Lopes could well be a star for the Blues in the coming years, and he could very easily become a fan favourite at the Etihad as well.
Talents like these are the reason that I get annoyed when I see people say that City don’t produce any youth talent, especially since the takeover in 2008. This is simply not true. Over two dozen players from the academy made their debuts for the Citizens under Mancini, and there is signs that more of the same could happen under the new manager Pellegrini. Whilst it is true that City buy a lot of expensive talent from around the world, it’s also true that we can produce our own as well.
I may have listed five players who I believe are the best prospects for the club, it was a tough decision. I left out players like Ian Lawlor (a young Irish goalkeeper) and George Evans from the list, along with a lot of others. Whilst it’s difficult to explain why these players have or haven’t made the cut, they all have talent, which is why they are still at City. They all have bright futures ahead of them in the game, be it with Manchester City, or elsewhere. But, considering they are still at such a big side at the ages of 18 or 19, they obviously have a lot of talent. So, in theory, they should all be able to make it. That is why the future is bright for Manchester City.
Written by Ben Warner - @TurnDeCruyff