Home-grown products like Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha and Michael Johnson featured regularly for the first team last season and their success at a young age has clearly caught the new boss’ eye.
Sven said: “One thing I think is very, very good is that we have six players from the Academy in the squad. That is very rare at any club, not just in the Premier League, but even in other countries – six young, very good football players.
“That’s important. That’s something to build on for the future.”
As for targets for his first season Sven wouldn’t be pushed, saying: “It’s very easy and also stupid to talk about that just now. Let’s see when we have the final squad then I will tell you what targets we will have for the season.
“It’s too early to talk about that now, it wouldn’t be fair, but we are all here because we want to do better and we will be better.
“I can promise that you will see new faces in the squad and the team when the Premier League starts…and not only one.
“It’s a big, big Club and I think a lot of football players around the world would like to play for Manchester City, especially when we know this Club will be bigger and bigger.”
On a more personal note, Sven said that the year since leaving the England post had been, professionally, the worst of his life but that the experience had reinvigorated him.
“Do I have the same hunger? You can be quite sure of that 110% especially when you are living one year without football. That’s the most stressful time I’ve ever had in my life. More stress not doing anything than sitting on whatever bench it is.
“I think waking up in the morning after one month’s holiday and not knowing exactly what to do, that’s awful, I’ve never done that in all my life before. I’m very happy to be back in football. I feel much better in football work than not doing anything.”
