Several of Patrick Vieira’s EDS squad have made it to the bench this season including Bersant Celina, Sinan Bytyqi, Jose Angel Tasende all unused subs throughout the campaign.
Jose Angel Pozo has made four appearances this campaign and Brandon Barker’s form for the Under-18 and EDS led to a senior start against Hamburg in Abu Dhabi and the Blues’ boss hopes that one or more will eventually become first team regulars at City.
“I think it is very important for our group to help the development of the younger players,” said the Chilean.
“It is very difficult for them to progress to the first team because we have a very strong, competitive squad and each season we are buying new, important players.
That doesn’t mean we can’t have a young player breakthrough to the senior side – even if just one youngster progressed to the first team it could save the club thirty or £40million
...Pellegrini...
“The fact we are now all training together at the CFA makes a huge difference because the youngsters can be around professional players every day will be very useful for them and the way we are working means that I’m sure we’ll have a number of youngsters progressing through to the first team.”
Pellegrini believes the move to the new City Football Academy training facility will also have a major impact on the club and its younger players in years to come, adding: “Moving to the CFA has made a world of difference and is one of the most important improvements we’ve made.
“When you look at the new facility compared to Carrington, which was not a bad place, but moving here has been a huge step forward and underlines how the owners want to develop the club in the future.”
