Following my last piece, this second section looks at our midfielders/wingers & forwards/strikers; players whose names might not be quite so recognisable, even to the most dedicated Blues.
Midfielders / wingers
Ante Palaversa: Midfielder - Centre
I recall that when Ante was brought in, there were some exciting words spoken about the young Croatian being a potential future replacement for Fernandinho. In fact, when we signed him from Hadjduk Split at the age of 19, he’d already made 14 league appearances for the Croatian side and, so, he sort-of appeared half ‘readymade’, in some ways. Since then - and excluding him being loaned back to his former club after we signed him - he’s been loaned out 3 times in just 2 years & 3 months and currently resides at Belgium side, K.V. Kortrijk. Apart from his stint on loan in Spain, he appears to get quite a lot of game time, so it would appear that he’s liked by his respective coaches / managers. When he’s due to return from his latest spell away from his parent club, he’ll have just 1 year remaining on his contract, so I can see a big decision looming for both the player and club in the summer.
Ben Knight: Midfielder / Forward - Centre
Signed from Ipswich Town as a 15-year-old and having only just turned 19 in June, Ben has most definitely established himself in our EDS side. From what I understand, Ben started football life, at City at least, as a midfielder but because he just loves to attack and drive at the opposition, he’s found himself being used as a ‘Number 10’ / forward quite often and has apparently been used on the wings too, at times. Made his Manchester City debut by coming on as a substitute in the Community Shield in August and then joined Crewe Alexandra on loan; where he’s made 3 league appearances as well as scoring the winner in an EFL trophy fixture. Ben is contracted to June 2025, appears to be very well thought of at the club and seems to be doing well on loan too; taking the transition from EDS to league football very well. He looked a real livewire when I watch him pre-season; a possible bright future lies ahead for the lad.
Claudio Gomes: Midfielder - Centre
Signed from PSG’s ‘B Team’ way back in July 2018 and every time I’ve seen him, I’ve really liked the look of him. A defensive midfielder by trade; he’s quick to recover the ball and ‘turns play’ back over to our control, as well as covering a lot of ground and setting the ball in motion for our attacks. In fact, I’m going to say that when Fernandinho leaves us at the end of this season, I’m betting that this 21-year-old – who will be 22 by then – will be competing / rotating with Rodri for the defensive midfield position. As well as establishing himself in the EDS, he’s had a loan spell with PSV’s youth set up and is currently on loan at Barnsley; no doubt hoping to test himself in the more-bruising Championship division. He’s recently been handed his first start by The Tykes and his side, who had 8 players aged 23 or younger, managed to keep a clean sheet in that match. His contract is up in just over 18-months’ time but I can see the French Under-20 international being offered an extension.
Cole Palmer: Midfielder – Centre
Probably far more well know than the others listed in this second of a 2-part write-up; Manchester born Cole already has a number of first team appearances to his name. Very much an attack-minded midfielder; the 19-year-old has not been sent out on loan and is, instead, very much the first name on any EDS team sheet. Having represented England from Under-15 right through to Under-21 level, scoring 6 goals in 22 appearance ‘all in’; Cole is already being talked about by many as…‘the next Phil Foden’; a player who-himself is only 2 years older than Cole.
Daniel Arzani: Midfielder / Winger – Left / Right / Centre
The versatile, attacking midfield / wing man sign for City from fellow City Football Group side, Melbourne City way back in August 2018 and has just 8 months left on his contract. I’m not even sure if the lad has ever visited our ground or training complex and in now on his 5th loan at Belgium side, Lommel S.K.
Dario Sarmiento: Winger / Forward – Left / Right / Centre
A very recent signing (July 2021) that came with some exciting words from those who know their South American football and, of course, Dario himself. Has a contract until June 2026; is predominately a left-footed, right-winger and is currently on loan at Girona in Spain. He’s made 6 league appearances so far in the Spanish second division.
Diego Rosa: Midfielder - Centre
Another recent signing (February 2021); another South American and another one loaned out to Belgium side, Lommel S.K. I have heard some people saying that his style of play is similar to that of Fernandinho but from some footage I recall seeing, I think he’s a bit more of an up & down, ‘box to boxer’. Either way, at just 19 on the 12th October, he’s got time to find his style and is contract to June 2025.
Filip Stevanovic: Winger – Left / Right
Another recent signing (January 2021) and another player that came with some exciting words from scouts and other who have seen the Serbian winger perform. He was loaned straight back to where we signed him from, FK Partizan, where he made a total of 56 league appearances and scored 11 league goals…and he’s just turned 19. Currently on loan to Dutch side Heerenveen and having made 6 league appearances with no league goals so far; I’m keen to see how this lad develops. Plenty of time to see that, with a contract that doesn’t expire until June 2026.
James McAtee: Midfielder / Forward
Similar to Ben Knight, James is a very forward-looking, attacking midfielder who also likes to play close to his frontman, whenever possible or asked to. Born in Salford; James has international experience at both under 18 and under 20 level and made his first team, Manchester City debut as a substitute in the League Cup against Wycombe Wanderers a few weeks ago. Definitely an EDS regular who seems well thought of; his contract has another 20 months to run so I think we’ll be seeing some ‘decision making’ around the soon-to-be 19-year-old in the summer of 2022.
Kayky: Winger – Left / Right
Okay…stuck record alert here (younger readers may want to look up the word, “record”, in relation to a disk-shaped object that plays sound). A very recent signing (September 2021); another South American and another one who came with words of excitement from those ‘in the know’. Having signed a contract until June 2026; for now, at least, this lad is being kept at the club and is no doubt training with the EDS / being looked over by many coaching eyes; including Pep, I’m sure.
Ko Itakura: Defender / Midfielder - Centre
I think, similar to Daniel Arzani, this fella may never have seen the Etihad etc. in person and may never do so. Signed in January 2019 from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale, which sounds better when said in a Geordie accent; he was immediately loaned out for a season, which was then extended by another season. He’s currently at a new club on loan, Schalke 04, who apparently have ‘an option to buy’ at the end. One of them weird, ‘club relationship’ / marketing signings we see from time to time, I think…
Jayden Braff: Winger – Left / Right
I’ve read so many mixed reports about this fella that it’s left me feeling confused. On the one hand, I’ve heard what an amazing talent he is and that he can produce moments of genius as well as performances to remember; on the other, I’ve heard how frustrating he can be to work with both from a coach’s point of view as well as his on-the-pitch colleagues. “Potential” seems to be a word often used to describe the Dutch youth international…and I’ve heard rumours that he’s got a bit of an attitude problem not dissimilar to stories I heard about Jadon Sancho. So, what’s the story with him at the moment? Apparently showing frustration at not advancing from the EDS to the first team – again, exactly the same stories we were hearing about Sancho – he was eventually loaned out to Italian side, Udinese. He made 4 league appearances and scored one goal before getting seriously injured, which lead to him needing surgery and, thus, ending his brief loan spell in Italy. As far as I know, he’s still undergoing the slow process of returning to fitness. Reports that Udinese had an option to turn his loan spell into something more permanent suggested to me that City have effectively given up on keeping the seemingly-frustrated winger. However, through Manchester City he’s now been given some of the best orthopaedic treatment available via Barcelona-based Doctor, Ramon Cugat, and as well as having almost 2 years left on his contract; perhaps there’s now time for a change in thinking on both sides. The story continues…
Patrick Roberts: Winger / Forward – Right / Centre
Can you believe that this fella is still only 24-years of age? ‘The’ next big thing in English football was something I seem to recall being talked about when we signed him as an 18-year-old from Fulham but since then with regards to us? Nothing. The still-young English attacker has had 6 loan spells in 5 seasons and he appeared to have ‘found his level’ and seemingly enjoyed his 18-month loan spell at Celtic; where he made 55 league appearances scoring 15 goals. Since then, he’s been at 3-different English sides as well as a season in Spain and is currently at French side, Troyes; where he’s yet to make an appearance. I’ve heard rumours that he can be a frustrating player to work with and, following on from the Jayden Braff write-up, those apparent reports from managers who have worked with Patrick suggest an attitude problem as well as a lack of willingness to ‘put a shift in’ for the team. To end on a blunt note, his contract ends in the summer of 2022 and I think that’ll be the end of his seemingly-endless time at Manchester City Football Club.
Ryotaro Meshino: Midfielder / Winger / Forward – Left / Centre
On 9th August 2019, the versatile attacking Japan Under-23 international signed from J1 League side, Gamba Osaka. His first loan outing saw Ryotaro go from the south of the globe to the north, in Scotland…Heart of Midlothian, to be precise. He went down a treat there and fans loved him. He made 20 league appearances and scored 3 goals. I think I recall the Scottish side wanting to keep him for another season but, for whatever reason, that didn’t happen and the following season, he swapped Scotland for Portugal; signing for another season-long loan spell at Rio Ave. He virtually replicated his previous season there whereby he made 19 league appearances and scored 3 goals. It would appear that he is country / league-adaptable as well as versatile on the pitch. Now, although he’s stayed in Portugal, he finds himself on his 3rd loan spell at Estoril Praia; making 3 league appearances so far and scoring 1 goal. His contract is up in the coming summer and I assume he’ll be leaving us. I don’t think he’s going to be one of those Manchester City, “Do you remember…” sort of players in years to come…
Samuel Edozie: Winger - Left
Signed from Millwall youth in 2018, Samuel featured quite heavily for the first team in pre-season and impressed enough to make it into the starting line-up of the Community Shield. The England Under-18 & Under-19 attacker remains at the club and in the EDS and has a contract that run to June 2023.
Tommy Doyle: Midfielder - Centre
Okay, I’ll get it out of the way and say, grandson of club legend, Mike Doyle. I’m sure he’s immensely proud of his grandad but I do wonder if he sometimes gets a little narked at Mike being mentioned so often in the same sentence as his own name. I might be wrong… Similar to Cole, although less of an attacking midfielder and more of a central / controlling ball-player, I recall Tommy being talked about in the same vein as Phil Foden; ‘home grown’ ability / attitude wise. The Manchester-born, soon-to-be 20-year-old has been increasingly on the fringes of the first team in the last 2 years; appearing in every competition both domestically as well as in Europe. Last month, he extended his contract to June 2025 and is current on his first loan spell at German side Hamburger SV, where he’s yet to make an appearance.
Yangel Herrera: Midfielder - Centre
This Venezuelan midfielder signed in early 2017 and has since spent his entire time out on loan in the USA, for New York City, as well as 3 different teams in Spain; the latter being Espanyol. Aside from his current club where he’s yet to make an appearance, he’s made over 100 league appearances for the other 3. With 21 international caps for his country to his name also, I’ve heard many-a-good report about the central / defensive 6-footer. There was talk of ‘bringing him into the fold’ and being looked at as a potential replacement for Fernandinho / competition for Rodri and with the 23-year-old still under contract until June 2024, there’s certainly still time for that consideration. I just can’t shake the feeling, however, that…similar to the Douglas Luiz situation; there was, is or might be a work permit issue. I could be making that up though…
Forwards / Strikers
Liam Delap: Striker - Centre
Following his early-season ankle injury
that appeared to take a while to clear up and where he missed the first 6 weeks
of the season, I was surprised not to see Liam on the bench in some first team
fixtures; especially in those games where we’re allowed 9 on the bench (Premier League) and a whopping 12 (Champions League). I’ve just used the word, surprised,
but I was actually quite shocked not to see him in the match-day squad when we
faced Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup the other week. Instead – and while
his EDS colleagues took up their first team places that evening – Liam was
included in the youth team’s EFL Trophy side
against Doncaster Rovers. I’m sure Pep has
his reasons. Last season, Liam won the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award and soon afterwards, amidst interest
from other clubs, he signed a 3-year contract extension to June 2026. By his dad’s admission and that of Liam himself, he
had a couple of turbulent seasons blighted by red cards – apparently, the Winchester-born, 6’ 1” player had a bit of a ‘red mist’ issue about him. Being aware of it, I
believe it’s something that he has worked on and I don’t recall hearing about
any problems of that nature last season. Turning just 19 this coming February
and with our first team light on specialist strikers to say the least; if Liam
keeps his head down & straight and works hard then surely ‘his time will
come’. I think he has a bright future ahead of him. For the time being, the last I heard he's injured once more and it could be the same foot issue.
Marlos Moreno: Winger / Forward – Right / Centre
Signed in August 2016, this 5’ 7”, Columbian attacker wins the prize of the ‘current crop’ for the most loans. Currently at Belgium side, K.V. Kortrijk along with Ante Palaversa, it’s his 7th loan in 5 years. Amazingly, having signed way back in 2016, the just-turned 25-year-old has another 1 year and 8 months left on his contract but going off his ‘goals to games’ ratio for an attacker, I don’t think we’ll be seeing a contract extension.
Pablo Moreno: Striker - Centre
Same surname but not related to Marlos. This Spanish, ex-Barcelona youth striker was signed by City from Juventus’ Under-23 side in June 2020 with some considerable excitement from those who’d watch him. Contracted to June 2025, he returned in the summer from a loan spell at Girona in the Spanish second division and made a substitution appearance in a pre-season friendly against Preston North End. He’s now back with Girona for a second spell on a season-long loan and, all together, he’s made 27 league appearances, scoring 2 goals.
Slobodan Tedic: Striker - Centre
And finally, a 21-year-old Serbian striker signed from FK Cukaricki in September 2019. The 6’ 3” man was allowed to stay at his original club where he netted 6 times in 9 league games whilst ‘back on loan’. Since then, he was loaned out to Dutch side PEC Zwolle in September 2020 and had his loan spell extended for another season in May of this year. Over both spells in Holland and so far, he’s made just 11 appearance and has scored twice. The Serbian Under-21 international is contracted to June 2024.
As I said in part 1, this list doesn’t include every player Manchester City own, of course; I’d be here all season writing up about them!
But in both parts 1 & 2, it does include a high number of players both, whom, have been ‘brought through’ as well as signed over the last few months & years. Some will ‘make it’ at City or at a high-standard of football otherwise; others, of course, won’t. Either way, I hope I’ve managed to give you a flavour of those who we may or may not be hearing more of in the future and that you found it of some interest, at least.
As always, thanks for taking the time to read…
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