The Manchester City first team has been supplemented by a host of promising talent for the Asia tour, with seven senior stars missing both weeks and others joining only in Korea. The squad includes players with first-team experience such as Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, Argentine playmaker Claudio Echeverri, and English centre-backs Max Alleyne and Steph Mfuni, as well as academy-level prospects who have excelled enough to earn this opportunity.
Plenty can expect minutes in the three matches against Inter, Atletico, and a K-League XI across the next fortnight. They will also be closely watched in training to see if any are ready to step up for the season.
Goalkeepers
Max Chabot, 18 – A surprise inclusion as City hadn't signed him from Angers when he was announced to travel. He joins as a trialist for the experience but will likely return to the academy after the tour.
Jack Wint, 19 – Familiar with the first-team environment after involvement on matchdays last season. He has progressed from Under-9s and played mostly for Under-21s. Unless he finds a loan, he will be there again; fellow keeper Spike Brits has already gone on loan to Sutton United.
Defenders
Vitor Reis, 20 – An exciting Brazilian talent signed alongside Abdukodir Khusanov. He impressed on loan at Girona despite their surprise relegation on the final day. He had set his sights on staying in Manchester with Pep Guardiola and now hopes to convince Maresca.
Matty Henderson-Hall, 19 – Already had two seasons with Under-21s and can play right-back or right winger. Hampered by injuries last season, he seeks a loan for senior football after the tour.
Max Alleyne, 21 – For the second consecutive season, City turned to an academy defender in crisis. He was on a promising loan at Watford when recalled in January 2026 and stepped in ably before Marc Guehi signed. He is earmarked for another Championship loan and should get minutes to impress.
Steph Mfuni, 18 – A centre-back who caught Guardiola's eye and became Alleyne's replacement at Watford last season. His campaign ended early with a serious injury but he is fit again, pushing to make up for lost time. Can also play left-back.
Kaden Braithwaite, 18 – Comfortable at centre-back and left-back, he made his first-team debut in 2024 at barely 16 but was kept back last season to captain Under-18s due to quality centre-backs ahead. City won the FA Youth Cup and their northern league, with Braithwaite a cut above.
Midfielders
Jaden Heskey, 20 – Older brother of Reigan (who left City permanently). Heskey started last season as Under-21s captain but moved on loan to Sheffield Wednesday for the second half. A return (loan or permanent) had been mooted but he remains for the tour.
Floyd Samba, 17 – Scored the opening goal in the FA Youth Cup final win over United in May. He played as a No. 8 at academy level and made the bench for one first-team game.
Xavier Parker, 16 – The youngest player on the tour, also one of the most in demand. Liverpool pushed hard to sign him after he broke into Under-18s last season; City worked hard to convince him to stay.
Wingers
Ryan McAidoo, 18 – Impressed on his first-team debut last season in the FA Cup rout of Exeter, scoring and earning praise from assistant Pep Lijnders who described his pressing as 'insane'. He was the standout academy player and could shine on tour for a first-team shot.
Jeremy Monga, 17 – One of City's new signings after paying £10m to beat Arsenal. Maresca knows him from his year at Leicester, and there is excitement around this English talent. He will get his first chance before a season likely at the Etihad.
Forwards
Divine Mukasa, 18 – One of the most promising youngsters last season, trained with Guardiola's side for months, then endured a grim loan at Leicester as they suffered back-to-back relegations. Another loan likely beckons but he should get opportunities to reassert himself on tour.
Claudio Echeverri, 20 – Big things were expected when he arrived from River Plate. He made his debut as a substitute in the 2025 FA Cup final, coming on ahead of Jack Grealish as City chased an equaliser against Crystal Palace. His choice to join Leverkusen on loan was disastrous, and a switch to Girona midway through the year didn't improve matters.
Mahamadou Sangare, 19 – Recruited from PSG last year, he scored plenty at Under-21 level but didn't carry the confidence to step up. It will be interesting to see how he fares on tour and where he ends up, with another year in the academy still possible.
Divin Mubama, 21 – A 2024 signing from West Ham, he made his first-team debut for City but spent last season on loan at Stoke in the Championship. He started brightly but form fell away, and he was booed off in one game before injury ended his campaign early. He seeks momentum for his next move.
