by PrezIke » Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:09 pm
Exciting to see the almost ridiculous levels of young talent we have in our academy, and that was with no Delap.
There’s a Fabrizio Romano video out on Kayky (Kai-ee-key) signing along with Metinho with their agent where they all rave about the CFG academy and global club “system.”
They refer to how CFG reaches into different countries to allow more insights and connections, along with City’s growing reputation as a club as being highly attractive to top young players, and in Brazil of course we’ve had a few in our team (also on loan i.e. Cuto) adding to interest in joining us over other clubs.
They mentioned City’s academy coaching and “system” as being vital, but I think one key aspect I did not hear and they’d likely agree is that we know even for players that do not end up with City (most, of course) many were signed by or are presently at a minimum decent, some good some top level European leagues and clubs.
In other words, even if you don’t make it at City, I can see agents and players thinking the reputation of the player being worth signing by someone else will be higher simply because they came through or were signed by City. We know some players who have barely or even never played a game for City (I think) who have later played in top European leagues.
I think this is one reason even after Pep is gone, which will be a blow as for some of these players some coaching with him they will feel can help them or their reputation, that the attractiveness will remain.
We are currently 11th (level with 7 other clubs with 17, for most academy players in top 5 leagues while another 14 clubs are ahead) but this crop feels may be a burst that moves us up.
