Manchester City young guns aiming to play their way into plans of Pep Guardiola

Manchester City’s top 10 kids are bidding to find their way on to Pep Guardiola’s playlist.

Many of them will get their first spin on Thursday when the English champions take on Club America in Houston in the first of two games on a short tour of the USA.

And if they pass their tryouts, and impress in training, the best of the bunch could find themselves in Guardiola’s squad for the rest of the season.

For Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, and James McAtee the auditions are nothing new.

Palmer, 20, made his first team debut in September 2020 and has since featured in the Premier League and scored in a Champions League victory over Club Brugge.

His performances and potential are two of the reasons why City were comfortable letting experienced top internationals Gabriel Jesus (to Arsenal) and Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) leave this summer.

Palmer, like Phil Foden, has been at City since he was an eight-year-old and is expected to feature heavily in the first team this season.

McAtee and Delap, both 19, have also both been on Guardiola’s radar for some time and are permanent fixtures in first team training.

Midfielder McAtee has been linked to a loan move to Brighton this summer and has other clubs hovering expectantly. However, the youngster, who ironically made his Premier League debut for City as a substitute for pal Palmer in a win over Everton ten months ago, has signed a new deal and is happy to try to force his way into Guardiola’s thinking.

Vincent Kompany, the former Manchester City captain and new manager of Burnley, is interested in taking Liam Delap on loan. Getty

Delap, meanwhile, remains a target for former City captain Vincent Kompany, now manager at Burnley, with City mulling over a possible loan deal.

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