When the world’s best young footballers become available, it’s a fair bet that Man City will at least be part of the conversation.
That’s because the current English, European and world champions represent a tantalising prospect for talented youngsters.
As has been shown time and again, there is a pathway mapped out to the first-team if you’re good enough, and whilst competition may be fierce, that’s the level players need to get to if they want to be the very best.
Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t got atop the footballing tree by luck alone, and the club’s rise began way back when Roberto Mancini’s squad finally broke the club’s title hoodoo.
Ever since then, the City Group have been working towards a sustainable worldwide model with Man City at the summit.
Consistent success requires a certain amount of churn in terms of playing staff, and if that’s able to be achieved through promotion of Academy players, so much the better.
Man City will sign 15-year-old Timeo Whisker
According to David Ornstein at The Athletic (subscription required), the club have beaten a number of their Premier League rivals to the signing of Cardiff City’s Timeo Whisker.
The 15-year-old will cost City £250,000 in compensation, which will be a drop in the ocean if he’s able to make the first team in due course.