New Delhi: Manchester City have produced some of the best youth academy products and they keep on doing that every year with some of the top talents coming out of the academy. Over the years, we have seen the Manchester City academy get better and better as they continue to play a massive role in the development of these top talented players. In the current City squad, some of the young Sky-Blues have already made their senior appearances under Pep Guardiola with further more top talents yet to have their break.
With players like James McAtee, Simpson Pusey, Nico O’Reilly, Oscar Bobb and a few more young City products working their way towards becoming regular starters for the club, other products such as Phil Foden, Rico Lewis will surely be their big inspirations that would help them develop and build the passion for the club. However, over the years there have also been players who left the club to establish their greatness and showcase their talent on the pitch. These players have turned out to be great assets for their respective new clubs.
After failing to get the game time that these players deserved at the club, these young City products made their moves to other clubs. The influence they have had on the respective clubs has eventually turned out to be a major factor behind their success. Here’s a look at five Manchester City youth products who have turned out to be great players after their respective moves to other clubs.
Jamie Gittens
Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in action with GNK Dinamo Zagreb’s Kevin Theophile (via REUTERS/Antonio Bronic)
It has been quite an introduction by the current Borussia Dortmund winger, Jamie Gittens who has been prolific for them this season needs a shout-out in this list. The 20-year-old made his move to Germany back in the year 2020, after spending just one year at the City academy. His development since then has been unbelievable as currently he is one of the best players in the squad of Borussia Dortmund. He also played for the Dortmund U-18 squad, where he impressed the selectors, moving up the ranks and making his first ever senior appearance for this Dortmund side.
This season, the English forward has been on fire with his speed, acceleration and energy on the pitch. With 12 goal contributions in all competitions, where he scored four times in the Champions League, he is having a wonderful break-out season, something that Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will be missing a lot.
Jeremy Frimpong
Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong celebrates scoring their first goal with Alex Grimaldo (via REUTERS)
Considering Manchester City’s current form and how the right side of their defence has struggled due to Kyle Walker’s dip in form, City would certainly be regretting letting Jeremie Frimpong leave the club back in 2019. The mercurial right wing back left City to join the Scottish champions Celtic where he made 51 appearances before joining Bayer Leverkusen in the 2020/21 season. The Dutch defender has been phenomenal ever since, as last season he played a major role in Leverkusen’s unforgettable title winning season, where the wingback had 24 goal contributions in all competions.
This was a monumental achievement for a wingback and he was largely praised for his energy on the pitch and how he became the x-factor behind Leverkusen’s unbelievable season. Manchester Cty might look onto the situation and try to sign him back in this January transfer to strengthen their squad.
Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring their first goal with Ollie Watkins Action Images (via Reuters/Paul Childs)
Rogers has had a rather complicated career where the English offensive midfielder has had his fair share of ups and downs. However, the last meeting between Manchester City and Aston Villa clearly showed the Sky Blues what they have missed. Rogers had a man of the match performance against his youth club where he spent two seasons. Before he joined the City academy, he was playing for West Bromwich’s youth club and after his spell at City, he made a move back to the Baggies.
After a few decent spells at Lincoln City, Bournemouth, Blackpool and Middlesbrough, he finally signed for Aston Villa last season. Despite having an average debut season, Rogers is starting to settle into this Villa team under Unai Emery, as he has already scored five times this season and also has three assists to his name in the Premier League. Still at the age of 22, he has a lot to see and in their most recent fixture, he already made City regret their decision of letting him leave the club.
Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer celebrates scoring their fourth goal (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)
There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that Manchester City will be scratching their heads after watching the rise of Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. Someone said it correctly, “Manchester City’s boy has turned into Chelsea’s Man,” as ever since he made his move to Chelsea, the English sensation has been their main man and undoubtebly one of the best players in the world right now. Last season, Palmer shocked the entire world with his numbers and his caml and composed nature that only helped him to become the player he is today.
He had a sensational 40 goal contributions in all competitions for the Blues and he became a pivotal part of the squad. This season, he has started strongly with 17 goal contributions in the league already. There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that anything that Chelsea do good, he is the main reason behind it. With the growing problems that City have had this season when it comes to attack and goal scoring, there is no doubt that they will be missing Palmer’s presence and what he had to offer to the club.
Romeo Lavia
Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia in action with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers Action (Images via Reuters/Paul Childs)
Another current Chelsea player that might have been a big asset for this current Manchester City side is Romeo Lavia. The young deep lying midfielder impressed during his time at Southampton, which earned him a move to Chelsea last season. With City’s growing problems ever since Rodri got injured, Lavia would have been the perfect replacement who can play the anchor role pretty well. Despite his injury problems, the Belgian is a pretty solid defensive midfielder who can be a good asset for any top side.
The City product spent his youth days playing for the U-19 and U-23 team, where he made 20+ appearances and after making just two senior team apearances, he made his move to Southampton before signing with Chelsea. We do have a lot to see from the midfielder, but City might just be regretting sending someone away, who could have been a good replacement for their star midfielder Rodri.
Manchester City have made some top tier signings over the years, but at the same time they have let some of the most talented academy products go, who turned out to be world class for other clubs. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
