There are a plethora of very exciting young talents in the Manchester City U21s team with man tipped to go on to have excellent careers.
Here we look at some of the highly touted youngsters who may well take to the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Finley Burns
Finley Burns is a towering defender that uses his height to his advantage in almost any instance. He signed for Man City at the age of 13, working his way through Academy represent England at the U18 level in the process.
He signed his first professional contract with Man City in July 2020 and played in 16 matches throughout Premier League 2 and youth cups.
Has played in five games so far in the campaign, helping the team with two clean sheets in the process against Liverpool (PL2) and Scunthorpe United (Papa John’s Trophy).
Liam Delap
Seen by many as the future striker for Man City’ first-team squad under Pep Guardiola, Liam Delap is, indeed, an explosive striker that signed his first professional contract for City in July 2020.
Since arriving to the Etihad Campus, Delap has trained frequently with the first team, as well as netting a goal against Bournemouth in the 2020/21 Carabao Cup. He made his Premier League debut for City in September 2020, coming on as a substitute for Fernandinho against Leicester City at the Etihad.
He has represented England at U15, U16, U17 and U18 levels. He is the son of former Republic of Ireland National Team footballer and man with an infamously long throw Rory Delap.
Samuel Edozie
Born to an English mother and a Nigerian father, Samuel Edozie selected to represent England on the international level of football. He has played for England at the U18 and U19 levels, respectively, making his U19 debut earlier this month as part of England’s 2-0 win over Italy U19s at St. George’s Park.
After beginning his youth career at Millwall, Edozie moved to Man City in July 2019. He made his first team debut for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 2021 Community Shield against Leicester City at Wembley Stadium. His skill and pace are two things said to stand him apart from others, as he is capable of playing on both the right and left wing.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is almost a hybrid of an attacking midfielder and striker for the Man City U23s.
Palmer joined the Academy as U8l, progressing through age groups before being named captain of the U18 side during the 2019/20 campaign. He scored 15 goals and provided five assists in helping Man City earn U18 national championship honours.
In September 2020, Palmer made his first team debut for Pep Guardiola’s side as part of a 3-0 win over Burnley in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. He was also introduced as a substitute for Kevin De Bruyne in the group stage of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League in a match against Marseille, which City would go on to win 4-0. Earlier this season, Palmer was used as a first-team substitute for Ilkay Gündoğan in City’s 5-0 win over Norwich City at the Etihad.
Internationally, Palmer has played for England in the U 15, U16, U17, U18 and U21 levels.