Not surprising. We talk about the positives of the academy making money but there also has to be some success stories within the club. Mahrez for 60m or Sancho trusted with a squad place could have spun the wheel in the academy's favour. Garcia has had minutes, Foden too and Muric has been involved (plus Diaz might have stayed).
We could still have done the deal with Matondo and others but given those down the age groups a dream that they need in order to want to play somewhere. We are in danger, like Chelsea of losing players around 16 years of age, when they have absorbed the high quality training and education from the club and leave to make the step up to getting gametime. That investment of time, money and resources needs to be factored in.
We are not at crisis point yet but Pep does need to actively gice younger players a chance. At Barca he had a side that for years had included local talent. Their status means many a kid and world class talent alike will want to play there. We can honestly say it isn't the case at City. So to compete we have to find that balance. Liverpool have managed it with Alexander-Arnold and Gomez. Spurs have done a great job. But those two clubs have, up until now, won fuck all for a long time.
