Manchester City returned to training on Monday, with the club showcasing a video on social media that highlighted 23 players, including several promising youngsters, as new coach Enzo Maresca began his tenure. Among those spotted were new signing Jeremy Monga, a 17-year-old winger who joined from Leicester for £10m, and highly-rated forwards Ryan McAidoo, 18, and Xavier Parker, 16, both of whom have attracted interest from other clubs this summer.
Youngsters Integrated into First Team
The academy sides are conducting separate preparations for the new campaign, but a number of their most exciting talents were at the City Football Academy on Monday to train with senior stars. With many first-team players absent due to rest after the World Cup, spots on the pre-season tour are up for grabs, and the youngsters have been welcomed into the first-team fold. Their presence was highlighted by official club channels on social media.
Also spotted in the training footage was 18-year-old defender Stephen Mfuni, who replaced Max Alleyne on loan at Watford in the second half of last season but suffered a significant injury requiring surgery. Alleyne was also present, along with Abdukodir Khusanov, who returned after representing Uzbekistan at the World Cup, and Vitor Reis, adding to a promising group of centre-backs.
Senior Players Return
Phil Foden, Savinho, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Nico Gonzalez were among the first-team players back in Manchester as they aim to build momentum for the new campaign. Savinho has transfer interest from Tottenham for the second successive summer, and Nico Gonzalez also has an uncertain future, yet both were present for the start of the Maresca era.
Jack Grealish trained separately as he continues rehabilitation from the injury that cut short his loan at Everton last season. With just one year left on his contract, this is the last summer where City can secure a transfer fee for the 30-year-old. There was no sign of Kalvin Phillips, who was in discussions to return to Sheffield United on loan earlier in the summer.
Full List of Players Spotted
The 23 players seen in training included: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marcus Bettinelli, Oliver Whatmuff, Jack Wint, Rico Lewis, Brooklyn Nfonkeu, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Max Alleyne, Stephen Mfuni, Christian McFarlane, Nico Gonzalez, Floyd Samba, Claudio Echeverri, Phil Foden, Tyrone Samba, Xavier Parker, Divine Mukasa, Ryan McAidoo, Jeremy Monga, Savinho, Divin Mubama, and Mahamadou Sangare.
