Next Manu Garcia starred for City in pre-season with some exciting displays in midfield. The Spaniard has been likened to David Silva and could get his chance at the Stadium of Light having been excluded from the EDS squad who, ironically played Sunderland U21’s on Sunday. With unbelievable composure and vision for a player of his age, Garcia could really find his feet alongside good technical players and this could be the time to give him a shot.

Previous Next Another member of City’s first-team tour of Asia and Australia, George Evans still finds himself at City but has suffered due to the gap in quality between U21 and competitive football. The local lad is seemingly too good to play in the EDS but is yet to establish himself at first-team level, despite scoring a belter against Toronto in post-season friendly at the end of last term. An injury to Fabian Delph could open up his chance in this game and having been training with the first team this week, he may be in line for an appearance.

Previous Next Of all the youngsters at Manchester City, Kelechi Iheanacho is the one who is closest to a regular place in the first-team. The fact that Pellegrini elected to not sign another striker in the transfer window demonstrates his faith in Kelechi, who he has praised on many an occasion. Boasting a wonderful left foot, impressive hold up play and great attitude, it’s easy to see why he is knocking on the door for a first-team spot. And when his big chance arrived against Crystal Palace, he duly delivered. I for one would like to see him start.

Previous Next Signed from Fulham this summer, Patrick Roberts has been earmarked as a top talent in the City youth ranks and has already been on the bench on a couple of occasions. He has travelled with the squad for most of this season’s games and it has been reported that City feel as though placing him in the same environment as Silva, Nasri and co will work wonders. After his breathtaking goal and display to sink Juventus in the UEFA Youth League, the next step would be to give him a start against Sunderland. Here’s hoping that is the case.