Manchester City’s academy has produced many top players seen across European football.
The biggest success story for the Premier League club has been Phil Foden, as the midfielder has come through the ranks at City and was crowned last season as the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, the biggest individual award in English football.
Ian Wright has praised Cole Palmer for joining Chelsea in 2023, as the City academy graduate is another who has been lighting up the Premier League over the last two seasons after failing to break into Pep Guardiola’s team.
The England midfielder was recently asked about his teammates at Stamford Bridge, and the 23-year-old has revealed that a fellow Man City academy graduate is one of the best players he has ever played with.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Romeo Lavia is one of the best midfielders Cole Palmer has played with
Man City sold Romeo Lavia to Southampton in 2022 for a fee of just £10.5m, however, the Manchester club made extra when the midfielder completed his big move to Chelsea a year later.
The 21-year-old failed to break into Guardiola’s squad consistently during his time at the Etihad Stadium, having made just two appearances for City before moving to the Saints, and the Belgian star is a player Guardiola and fans of the Premier League club will have no regrets about letting go.
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Palmer has now stated that Lavia is one of the best midfielders he has ever played with and that the Belgian will go on to become one of the best in the world.
“I think he is one of the best midfielders I have ever played with, to be honest. Everyone hasn’t seen it because he has been injured,” the Chelsea star told Sky Sports.
“Obviously, I knew him at City. I think everyone will realise soon, I think he will be one of the best midfielders in the world.”
Lavia has been very unlucky with injuries since his move to Chelsea, with the youngster yet to show his potential in the Premier League.
The same cannot be said for several players Man City have let go of in the past, as many have gone on to have great success away from the Manchester club.
The best academy graduates that Man City have let go of
In addition to Palmer and Lavia, Sam Allardyce thinks Man City made a mistake letting Morgan Rogers go, as the Aston Villa star has been having a great season in the Premier League.
Michael Olise had big success in the Premier League with Crystal Palace before securing a huge move to Bayern Munich last summer, where he has continued to be successful.
Player Current club
Phil Foden Manchester City
Cole Palmer Chelsea
Romeo Lavia Chelsea
Michael Olise Bayern Munich
Morgan Rogers Aston Villa
Rico Lewis Manchester City
Brahim Diaz Real Madrid
Some of the best Man City academy graduates still playing
Liam Delap has had a great season with Ipswich Town throughout the current campaign, and his performances are set to see him secure a move to one of the big clubs in the Premier League this summer.
There are many other names, such as Jeremie Frimpong, Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz, who have all had success away from Manchester, however, City cannot have regrets about everyone, as not many people have the quality to cement a place in Guardiola’s team.