Guardiola promotes five academy stars to Manchester City squad
Pep Guardiola has promoted five talented academy stars to the Manchester City first team for the new season.
According to reports, the Catalan coach has been greatly impressed with the talent on show within Manchester City’s academy.
Promoted to the first team are Spanish trio Pablo Maffeo, Angelino and midfielder Aleix Garcia. They are joined by England U-21’s keeper Angus Gunn and towering defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
All have either featured or made the City bench so far this season.
Steaua Bucharest’s Algerian midfielder Jugurtha Hamroun (L) competes with Manchester City’s Spanish defender Pablo Maffeo (R) during the UEFA Champions League second leg play-off football match between Manchester City and Steaua Bucharest at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on August 24, 2016. (Photo credit should read ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Aleix Garcia of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Full backs Pablo Maffeo and Angelino impressed in City’s recent Champions League victory over Steaua Bucharesti.
The 6’5” Adarabioyo also featured in that game. The teenager made his club debut in last season’s FA Cup loss to Chelsea.
The rise of young Angus Gunn reportedly hastened the exit of fan favourite Joe Hart from the Blues. The England No.1 joined Italian’s Torino on loan over the summer.
Defensive midfielder Aleix Garcia featured amongst the unused substitutes named in Saturday’s derby victory over bitter-rivals Manchester United. The teenager is similar to Spain legend Xavi in play-style.
There are big hopes for Manchester City’s academy. The club have invested near £200 million in redeveloping the area around the Etihad Stadium. The vast changes includes improvements to the club’s youth setup.
Furthermore, there is hope that the latest batch of youngsters can be the first to make a real breakthrough to the first team since the takeover.
The club have long aimed for a holistic approach and a core built on homegrown talent.
Fans will be hoping the graduates can have as much of an impact as fellow academy star Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian star has shone following his promotion to the first team last season.
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