Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis have all been part of City’s Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup ambitions this season, with the former already a serial winner having progressed to the first team as a 17-year-old in 2017.
The trio all joined City before their ninth birthdays and progressed through the ranks all the way to Guardiola‘s side.
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Speaking in an Academy review of 2022 with City Studios, Wilcox insisted that the emergence of these three players in a squad chasing the game’s biggest trophies demonstrates the excellent work taking place at the CFA.
The Academy Director, who will remain with the Club until the end of the season, also stated their performances are a fine example of the opportunities that are offered to young players at City.
“It’s hugely inspiring,” he said.
“People will say there’s no pathway at Manchester City but I would say it’s a huge challenge for any young player to come through to a Premier League side at 18/19, whether you’re at the bottom or the top it’s extremely difficult.
“The kids are getting a lot of opportunity. They train with our first team almost every day, alongside the best manager in the world and best players in the world. With Phil, Cole and Rico, they are seeing it’s within touching distance.
“One thing is for sure, you don’t stay around our first team if you’re not a good guy. We push the players up to the first team environment who we feel are the right type of person and won’t let the academy down.”
Click on the video at the top of the page to hear Wilcox’s take on the Academy’s 2022...
