Manchester City have included a trialist in their tour squad for the next fortnight in Asia after injury drama elsewhere saw them change their plans. Young goalkeeper Max Chabot is part of Enzo Maresca's group for three friendlies despite having not completed a move to the club and travels as an international trialist to give another layer to a complex story.
Goalkeeper shortage prompts squad change
With James Trafford having been part of the England team to go all the way to the World Cup final weekend (and subsequently finalising a move away from the club) it was decided by City that another goalkeeper was needed for the tour squad alongside Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marcus Bettinelli, and academy goalkeeper Jack Wint. That player was due to be 18-year-old shotstopper Oliver Whatmuff.
The problem with Whatmuff was that another loan deal was already being sorted for him to go out to Stockport County for the season. In the end, the League One club took him for the early weeks of pre-season, then return to City for a few weeks, before returning to County for the year and Whatmuff was pictured alongside Donnarumma as the Blues started their pre-season last Monday.
Stockport injury allows Whatmuff return and Chabot inclusion
However, by then County had suffered another goalkeeping issue. They had to abandon their friendly with Bristol City in Murcia after Andy Wogan was injured in the closing stages and there was nobody to replace him. With a diagnosis confirmed that keeps Wogan out for weeks, City have allowed Whatmuff to return to Stockport and he looks set to get an early chance to impress there. The same goes for Chabot at City as the young goalkeeper leaves French side Angers and trains with Maresca and the first team before he has even completed a move to City.
