I see what you're saying. I still think it's a shame that Sancho didn't stay and back himself to at least try and break into the first team squad. What harm would a couple of more years under Pep actually have done? Which makes me wonder what his (or his advisers) real motivation for moving was.
A lot it seems. I mean look at Roberts, he was once considered the Messi of English youth football and headed to the top. And then he signed for a big club, and the loaning in and out starts. To good to be playing on youth teams, but not trusted enough for the big teams yet.
It's sad, but I expect Roberts career to slowly dwindle. Soon he'll be 24 and wouldn't have stayed anywhere long enough to hone his skills and would get sold to a midtable club.
And this is not strictly a City problem, its a big club problem. Odegarrd, and the Croatian Messi had similar problems in Barca and Real Madrid. As a young talented lad, you want to go to a midtable Spanish, French or German club and ddominate.
If I'm advising any young up and coming talent my advice is simple. I'd you have the opportunity, join the youth teams of one of the big clubs, they generally have the best facilities, and you'd come in contact with some if the best ever and can pick things up from.them. Bit once you get near that starting age, park your bags head out and find a challenge. Don't sit around hoping for 1st team crumbs.
And don't take a loan out either. You have to cut ties... Sure buybacks are fine. But you want a permanent move to a place where you'll get 1st team action constantly.