I appreciate it's difficult enough for Pellegrini to keep our senior players happy as it is, especially now everyone is fit (and with Toure and Bony on their way back).
His priority is securing a top four finish, so it's not in his interests to blood youngsters at this stage of the season. It goes against the "holistic" approach though, and his own proclamation that we would introduce a few academy players each season.
Sure, a few players have made the bench but it's disappointing that our youth players weren't really given a chance in the cup competitions.
The fact that we only have one academy graduate in our first team squad, and a fourth choice centre half at that, isn't good enough. We must have the worst record in the league in that regard.
Really hope there is a sea-change in our approach next season. Concentrate on acquiring quality over quantity in the transfer market, and fill out the squad with youth players. 18/19 senior pros, with 4/5 academy players would be a better balance moving forward, and considerably lower the average age of the squad (as well as the wage bill).
Don't watch the EDS often enough to speak with any real authority, but the likes of Angelino, Barker and Ambrose must come into consideration, along with Denayer, Rekik, Lopes and Iheanacho.
