Manchester City will have to draw from their academy to play teams in preseason games against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea. With the majority of their first-team players attending Euro 2024 or the Copa America, City will be without some key players in the United States throughout preseason. To enhance their numbers, a number of academy players will play in the United States in July and August.
With City expected to play up to 75 games this season, including the end-of-season Club World Cup, the academy may be more important than ever, with a number of young players certain to be called up this summer. Starting with the youngsters who almost made their debuts last season, Pep Guardiola expressed sadness that he was unable to put on centre-back Max Alleyne for Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. Micah Hamilton and Mahamadou Susoho had made their debuts, but a Red Star comeback forced Alleyne to remain on the bench.
Alleyne, who was sidelined at the end of the season due to an injury, and wingers Justin Oboavwoduo and Joel Ndala might both play in the preseason. Both were members of the FA Youth Cup-winning squad last season and were part of the senior travelling group for the Club World Cup in December, so they are regulars in first-team training. The upcoming season could be crucial for two players who are nearing the end of their youth football careers.
Jaden Heskey was a standout in the Youth Cup victory and could be called up to the senior team this summer, as he can play across the front line and in midfield. His Youth Cup final goal was assisted by a defence-splitting pass from centre-back Kian Noble, who could catch Guardiola’s eye in the United States if given the opportunity. Finally, with Sergio Gomez potentially going this summer, left-back Tom Galvez may be given the opportunity to cover at full-back. Galvez, a more traditional, wide left-back than Guardiola’s preferred inverted style, could provide something unique and already has senior experience with a handful of caps for Finland despite having yet to make his senior club debut.
