CJ Egan-Riley says every first-team training session provides Manchester City's young players with an opportunity to learn and admits he has strived to absorb everything he can from the senior players in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

The 2021/22 season proved a memorable one for Egan-Riley, who made three first-team appearances after making his debut in September and captained the Elite Development Squad (EDS) to the Premier League 2 title.

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Along with James McAtee, Liam Delap, Luke Mbete, Romeo Lavia and Josh Wilson-Esbrand, the 19-year-old defender was one of several youngsters to train regularly with Guardiola’s side throughout the campaign.

Those sessions supplemented his playing time with Brian Barry-Murphy’s EDS and he feels they have been an important part of his development.

“There are so many players [to learn from] and some of the best players in the world in every position,” he said.

“For me to be able to train with them and try and learn little bit off them – I am just like a sponge trying to soak everything in and trying to get those little details of how I can improve my game.

“Obviously, I try and help the team out where I can in training or if I am asked to play five minutes, just to enjoy moments like this when we win the league, which is what we all do it for.”

Egan-Riley made his debut in a 6-1 Carabao Cup third-round victory over Wycombe Wanderers, on a night Guardiola handed starts to five previously untested teenagers.

A first Champions League appearance followed, as the versatile defender completed 90 minutes in the goalless draw with Sporting in the second leg of our last 16 tie.

With Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker both unavailable, Guardiola fielded Egan-Riley at right-back and the teenager says he took to the pitch full of confidence following a conversation with the City boss which left him in no doubt he was ready to perform in club football’s most prestigious competition.

“I was so excited,” he reflected.

“When the manager called me into his office the day before and said, ‘are you ready to play tomorrow?’ I said, ‘of course, I am raring to go’.

“He said, ‘I am confident in you, I wouldn’t be playing you if I didn’t think you could deal with the challenge. You are more than ready’.

“The fact that he had so much confidence in me made me have even more confidence in myself to go out and perform on the pitch.

“It was a great day for me and my family and everything I have worked for over the years. I will never forget it.”