Ever since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover of Manchester City in 2008, there has been a common misconception that his money has been flaunted on overpriced footballers for the first team as he aimed to buy his way to success.
However, if one delves deeper into the situation at the Etihad Stadium you would discover that a large proportion of his money is going into developing the club as a strong brand and ensure self-sufficiency in the future. One of the key aspects of this redevelopment behind the scenes was the £200m new football academy being built across the road from the Etihad.
It is expected to open in October and the state-of-the-art complex will be home to a 7,000-capacity stadium for the Women’s, EDS and academy home fixtures. Added to that, the City Football Academy will also include classrooms to cater for 200 students, on-site accommodation for players and sixteen football pitches to cater for all age groups at the club.
Evidently, the future of City looks bright. Sheikh Mansour’s devotion to creating a “hub” will only strengthen the prospects of the Blues producing world class talent through the academy. The move from Carrington also means that a first team building will be created to house changing rooms, a gym and a medical centre – whilst media offices and a sixth form college for the community ensures that everybody is catered for throughout an underprivileged area in East Manchester.
City’s devotion to creating a bright future in the academy was evident after the appointment of Patrick Vieira as EDS manager last season, and his presence was felt instantaneously. Success followed both domestically and on the European front in the UEFA Youth League and there is a real hope that many who featured in Vieira’s plans last season will make the step towards the first team in the near future.
But, who are currently the brightest prospects throughout the academy?
Marcos Lopes
The Portugese forward joined City in 2011 from Benfica and has already shown a great deal of potential throughout the past couple of years. After making his debut for the first team in January 2013, Lopes has come on leaps and bounds.
He became City’s youngest ever FA Cup goalscorer after netting against Watford on his debut and last year saw him appointed captain of Vieira’s EDS side. His impressive performance in the Capital One Cup semi-final against West Ham did his future chances no harm and the 18-year-old has been rewarded with the opportunity of first team football with Lille in Ligue 1 this season.
It is a big year for Lopes and if he enjoys a successful campaign he could realistically see himself in the first team for City next season.
Karim Rekik
Rumoured to be heading back to PSV Eindhoven on loan for the second successive season, Rekik is highly thought of at City and is seen as a long term replacement for Vincent Kompany.
His exposure to first team football at the Blues is evidence of this and he was a regular fixture throughout Manuel Pellegrini’s pre-season squads this summer.
Comfortable in possession, Rekik possesses similar qualities to Kompany and has also represented the Netherlands at senior level. After impressing on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season, the defender has been allowed to re-join the Dutch club on loan again for the forthcoming months in order to get more guaranteed playing time.
Emyr Huws
The Welsh midfielder has seen himself capped at senior level for his country in 2014 and his career seems to be heading in the right direction as the 2014/15 season approaches.
Joining Wigan Athletic on a season long loan, Huws will be hoping that City legend Uwe Rosler will be able to nurture and move him on to the next level at the DW Stadium.
Operating as a defensive midfielder, Huws is seen as a box-to-box midfielder that can break quickly from deep whilst also being capable of controlling a game in the middle. His passing ability and stamina means that he stands a very good chance of breaking into the City team in the near future.
Others to watch: Seko Fofana, Jason Denayer, Devante Cole, Jordi Hiwula, Mathias Bossaerts
