Youth call-up

[BlueDejong]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-city-chase-porto-pair-7122740#.U3Rl1PiKrI0.twitter

Via Stuart Brennan

The Blues do not normally look at players over the age of 30, but the signing of Martin Demichelis on a two-year deal, and this move, are evidence of a new strategy.

They hope in the next couple of years their beefed-up academy will start to produce their own stars.

By the end of next season, the plan is for youngsters like Jason Denayer, Shay Facey, Mathias Bossaerts and Ash Smith-Brown to be pushing for first-team places.

That process has already begun, with Marcos Lopes expected to be a regular in the first-team squad next season.

And for that reason, the Blues are not believed to be actively pursuing any attacking players – although if a quality addition became available, they would not hesitate to make a move.

 

[Centurions]

So we're definitely not signing any attacking players but then again we might? Did I get that right Stuart?
And aren't Jason Denayer, Shay Facey, Mathias Bossaerts and Ash Smith-Brown all defenders or midfielders? So a strange selection of names.

 

[BlueDejong]

So we're definitely not signing any attacking players but then again we might? Did I get that right Stuart?
And aren't Jason Denayer, Shay Facey, Mathias Bossaerts and Ash Smith-Brown all defenders or midfielders? So a strange selection of names.

Fully Agree. End of next season ? My choice is Denayer, Maffeo, Tasende, Fofana.

 

[Damocles]

It's a pretty simple point he's making here.

• City aren't actively pursuing any attacking players because they believe Lopes will now challenge for a first team role.
• If a really special attacking player pops up for cheap they'll take them as they have options on Lopes
• City are hoping that the players listed in the article will be in the Lopes position next year

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

With the squad restrictions maybe players like huws could get more of a chance next year, hopefully

 

[WNRH]

So we're definitely not signing any attacking players but then again we might? Did I get that right Stuart?
And aren't Jason Denayer, Shay Facey, Mathias Bossaerts and Ash Smith-Brown all defenders or midfielders? So a strange selection of names.

Think he is just listing some of the defenders as he is linking it with an older defender i.e Demichelis.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I think some of the U18s will fast track into the fringes of the first team squad at around about that time.

I think SB has got it just about right there. I more year, then the academy starts to kick in. They are not yet quite ready. Fofana might be, as he has the physique, as do Huws, Rekik etc & we could try them pre season then promote them IF they look very good & prove they are worth considering (not 'ooh he fell on his arse five times & got skinned alive & missed an open net & gave away a pen but he's only a kid.) PROVE they can live with the first team.