I think there’s a few things to consider.
We currently have a incredible squad with a mixture of incredible young players and a few old faces. I think over the next 5-10 years it will be hard to match this squad on paper just because the way it’s come together.
I don’t think the club is necessarily desperate to get youth players through but there’s been so much investment throughout. Yes we have Foden but he’s a generational talent, but other players will start coming through over the next few years. You have to give them a chance otherwise what’s the point. We’ve seen what James can do at Sheffield but give him
a preseason and if looking comfortable a season. You can’t make comparisons between teams, Akanji couldn’t even start for Dortmund at points. He’d be training with world class players daily and playing in a system that would let him flourish.
Realistically you can’t tell until you try. But a world class coaching team led by Pep might have a better idea before that and make a decision. None of us on here are that so we have to wait and see.