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"When you play with people like Kompany you start to realise age doesn't really matter."

Sometimes the old ones are the best. Lukas Nmecha is one of a number of Manchester City youngsters looking to show the young ones aren't bad either.

The 17-year-old isn't boasting he's as good as the world-class centre-half - "you can see it's boys v men!" he laughs - but is mature enough to take the right lessons from such a schooling.

"He does go in hard but you've got to stick up for yourself. You just have to go for it against him. I think it helps as well.

"When you play with the 18s sometimes you're playing against centre-backs that aren't as physically strong so you can take a few more touches, but with the likes of Kompany you know you have to control or pass and make better movements."

Watch: Kompany warming up with Barker and Humphreys before the Chelsea game

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If Nmecha still has time to develop, the fact eight teenagers played at Stamford Bridge on Sunday has seen more confidence surge through the CFA.

The German-born attacker has been a Blue for nearly half of his life, scouted as a nine-year-old playing for his primary school team in Wythenshawe shortly after his family moved to England.

A City fan that looks up to (who else?) Sergio Aguero and with a younger brother Felix also in the academy, 17-year-old Lukas has a lot of people within the football club excited.

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And, despite this interview delaying him going back home to sleep after a hard morning training, he is bright and animated on every subject.

Nmecha is grateful to Under-18s coach Jason Wilcox for the trust shown in him this season, and relaxed over his future international allegiance - he hasn't decided but is enjoying being involved with England youth teams.

The need to keep improving is a repeated theme.

An early compliment about his derby goal that helped City Under-18s clinch the Northern Division title last week is met with a groan and head in hands over the chances he missed, while there is some way to go master the No.9 position.

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"I used to be a winger so I used to dribble with the ball a lot more," he said.

"I'm still pretty good at dribbling for a 9. It's been more learning how to finish better and I think I'm starting to get used to it and enjoying it."

Sixteen goals from fifteen starts for the Under-18s this season suggests the teenager has some talent to build on, and watching him play calls to mind seeing Kelechi Iheanacho last season.

Whatever that star quality is that marks out a future star striker, the Nigerian and Nmecha have both shown it.

The teenager is also filled with the same world-beating attitude that marks the transformation across the academy over recent years.

There is excitement at being drawn to play Real Madrid in the UEFA Youth League - where City hope to make their third consecutive quarter-final on Tuesday - and hopes of some Youth Cup revenge over Chelsea.

"Second time round I think with this team that we have now we can go on and win it. Everyone wants to prove that we can go one better and that we're better than the last group as well!"

Seven of the thirteen players that lost in the Youth Cup final last year have now made their first team debut. Nmecha is taking the right steps towards his.