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One of the many reasons Manchester City identified Pep Guardiola as their next manager is his track record on youth development.

The Spaniard, who was given an opportunity as a manager when he was young and untested, has faith in young players. If he sees within them the kind of attributes he feels he can develop, they will get chances to train and play with the first team.

City opened their £150 million youth development facility, the City Football Academy (CFA), back in December 2014, and it represents a clear statement of their intent. It boasts an incredible attention to detail.

Brian Marwood, who oversaw its creation, travelled the world to study similar facilities to gather ideas and inspiration. What he has delivered is remarkable, with the entire club—everything from the media team and marketing team through to the coaching staff and players—now based at the CFA. It’s changed the way they all work and the direction the club is travelling in.

No other side in English football is investing in young players as intensely as City, who clearly have an ambition to produce their own world-class players to supplement their first team.

They describe it as an “holistic” approach, with every one of their teams, from the very youngest right through to the senior side, encouraged to play the same open, attractive style of football.

But, of course, an all-singing, all-dancing facility constructed at great cost means little if players aren’t being brought through from the academy setup into the first team. It requires a manager dedicated to youth.

Manuel Pellegrini has made great strides in that area this season, with Kelechi Iheanacho part of his plans (albeit in a limited capacity) and Manu Garcia, Aleix Garcia, David Faupala, Tosin Adarabioyo, Cameron Humphreys and Bersant Celina all having some involvement in the senior side.

It may not have been enough to quench some fans’ thirst for youth involvement, and those who have played may not end up featuring again, but what it has done is send a message to those at City looking to make the jump into the senior side that there is, indeed, a pathway for them. There can be no greater motivation.

Now comes the Guardiola era. He is serious about youth and always has been. He will spend more time than Pellegrini at the academy, assessing the talent being nurtured as well as analysing their style and suitability to the first team.

He arrives on July 1, and excitement in Manchester is growing. What he will find when he takes the reins is a batch of youngsters showing great promise.

Here, we take a look at 10 with an excellent chance of making the grade in the long-term. Never has the jump from City’s academy into their first-team been bigger, with young players needing the technical quality and mental fortitude to dislodge some of the finest players in the game in order to get an opportunity.

But the 10 discussed here, surely have a chance, particularly with a manager like Guardiola—who will offer them an environment in which they can grow and feel as though they will get chances—coming in to take charge.

They are ranked on their potential and current ability.