A growing trust in the Academy?

Yesterday saw the opening of the new City Football Academy (CFA), the new development that will be aiming to provide for future generations of players at the club.

It is perhaps fitting then a backdrop of sorts to this has been see a number of the current crop of Academy graduates making tentative steps towards the first team. Manuel Pellegrini's hand may have been forced to some degree in this regard with the raft of injuries in the squad but he has in recent weeks shown faith in the Academy. Perhaps it is even the case that the FFP restrictions have also put more onus on the Academy.

This too isn't just the Capital One Cup we are talking about but both the Premier League and Champions League, with Jose Pozo the main to replace Sergio Aguero after just 90 seconds against Everton. In recent weeks we have seen both Angelino and George Glennon in addition to Pozo on the bench as well. There are also a host of players out on loan who you feel will be back in the summer and possibly ready to challenge for a place in the first team squad: Karim Rekik, Marcos Lopes and Jason Denayer whilst Kelechi Iheanacho may be ready to turn his pre-season potential into meaningful minutes.

It is clear that the long term aim is to have the Academy sustain the first team with players but in the here and now it appears as though a number are likely to get the opportunity perhaps sooner than anticipated.