Four Manchester City Academy Stars Set To Join Pep Guardiola's First-Team For USA Pre-Season Tour

Four of Manchester City's most highly-rated youngsters are set to join Pep Guardiola and his first-team squad on their upcoming pre-season tour of the United States.

A new report has revealed that four stars in particular will all be given a chance to prove that they are first-team ready during Manchester City’s pre-season US tour. 

During the initial stages of Pep Guardiola’s reign at Manchester City, he was often criticised for not giving enough academy talents a chance.

With the Spaniard hailed for nurturing youngsters to eventually fulfil their potential at Barcelona in particular, several critics failed to understand why the decorated manager did not entrust the youth at Manchester City to the same degree.

However, the Catalan boss silenced his critics by bringing Phil Foden under his wing and gradually developing the gifted academy graduate into one of world football's standout young players.

Just last season, the likes of Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, James McAtee, Kayky and CJ-Egan Riley were all handed debuts in major competitions such as the Premier League, Champions League and Emirates FA Cup.

Heading into the 2022/23 season, several credible sources have claimed that both Palmer and McAtee are set for bigger roles next term.

It has now also been revealed that four youngsters in particular within the Premier League Champions’ ranks will be given a chance to impress as the new campaign beckons.

As per a report by Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, Luke Mbete, Liam Delap, James McAtee, and Kayky are set to join Manchester City during their pre-season tour of the United States to stake their claims at a spot in the first-team next season.

It has further been mentioned that while various sides are eyeing moves for players in question, they will join Pep Guardiola in pre-season training on Monday before jetting off to the US.

An interesting further revelation that has been disclosed is that as things stand, Manchester City are still finalising the ‘make-up’ of the squad ahead of the new campaign.

With Gabriel Jesus joining Arsenal and Raheem Sterling set to sign for Chelsea, the likes of Liam Delap, James McAtee, and Kayky in particular could be eyeing a spot in the senior setup.

As for Luke Mbete, Jack Gaughan of the Mail has suggested that despite the gifted defender joining the Sky Blues on their pre-season tour, Pep Guardiola is keen on signing a replacement if Chelsea agree to meet the club’s valuation to sign Nathan Ake.

However, this does not suggest that the 18-year old’s future remains uncertain, as he signed a three-year contract extension until 2027 with City in June.

While Guardiola has opened up about his admiration for Liam Delap’s skillset as a traditional number nine, it is likely that a loan spell away is on the cards, due to the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

In Kayky’s case, impressing during pre-season could make him a regular member in the first-team next season, especially with an established winger in Raheem Sterling set to leave the club.

All in all, it is excellent to see Manchester City give their youngsters a fair shot at staking a claim for a berth in the first-team.