While Pep Guardiola has the rare luxury of being able to call upon many of his first team regulars at this stage, the trip is also an opportunity for some of our most exciting academy players to impress.
The likes of Cole Palmer and Ben Knight, both 20, will be keen to rack up as many minutes as possible but here we’ll take a look at the teenagers in the squad.
Liam Delap
An imposing striker with a lethal eye for goal, 19-year-old Delap has made scoring goals look easy at all age groups.
He has already played six times for the first team, scoring his first senior goal in a Carabao Cup tie against AFC Bournemouth in September 2020. He was also named the 2020/21 Premier League 2 Player of the Year after his 24 goals took City to our maiden title at that level.
After injury issues affected his 2021/22 season, he was part of the England Under-19 team to win the European Championship earlier this summer.
Kayky
The Brazilian winger joined City from Rio de Janeiro based Fluminense in 2021 having been part of the first team set up at the Maracana.
He immediately attracted attention for his skilful dribbling and close control, scoring seven times as City won the 2021/22 Premier League 2 title.
The 19-year-old has been close with compatriots Ederson and Fernandinho during his time in Manchester. He has featured as a late substitute on two occasions for the first team, in the Premier League win over Norwich and FA Cup victory at Swindon Town.
Luke Mbete
A centre-back not to be messed with, Mbete is equally adept with the ball at his feet as he is challenging the strongest strikers in the game.
The 18-year-old was a mainstay of the successful EDS last season and earned senior recognition with a start in the Carabao Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers and a late appearance against Sporting CP.
Earlier this summer he signed a contract extension that could keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2027.
James McAtee
A compact and mobile midfielder whose light touch and eye for a pass makes him a threat in several attacking positions.
McAtee was the 2021/22 Premier League 2 Player of the Year, following in the footsteps of Delap the year before, as he scored 18 times in the title clinching campaign.
The 19-year-old made his first steps into senior football too, with appearances in the last few minutes of wins over Norwich City and Everton in the Premier League and second half showings against Wycombe Wanderers and Sporting CP in the Carabao Cup and Champions League respectively.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand
A dynamic left-back that is comfortable whether defending or attacking in a way familiar to all of City’s age-group sides.
Wilson-Esbrand joined as a scholar from West Ham in 2019 and signed a new five-year contract with the Club back in February this year.
The 19-year-old is another player that was key to the PL2 title triumph and he was rewarded for his form with a full debut in that victory over Wycombe Wanderers as well as several further experiences on the bench.
Oscar Bobb
An incredibly technically gifted midfielder, Norwegian-born Bobb joined the Club from Oslo-based Valarenga in July 2019.
Bobb signed a new five-year contract in February 2022, alongside Wilson-Esbrand. He featured in all 26 matches as our Premier League 2 side defended the title in 2021/22, scoring seven times on the way.
The 19-year-old is yet to make a competitive appearance in senior football but will be hoping to impress during his time with the first team.
Rico Lewis
Manchester-born Lewis has progressed through the Club’s academy since joining aged eight.
A decisive full-back, the 17-year-old’s tactical awareness means he is also deployed in defensive midfield on occasion.
He made his first appearance at Under-18 level as a 15-year-old and joins the tour fresh from a 2021/22 season as captain of the Under-18 Premier League winning team.
Finley Burns
A tall, powerful centre-back, Burns is now settled at the Club having initially signed as a 13-year-old.
The 19-year-old has played a key role in each of the Premier League 2 titles wins over the course of the last two campaigns.
He got his first taste of first team action in that comprehensive defeat of Wycombe Wanderers, alongside several of his peers, before a short loan spell at Swansea City later in the 2021/22 season.
