Ten youngsters who could make Man City pre-season tour squad

2022 was the year that Rico Lewis caught Pep Guardiola's eye, with Josh Wilson-Esbrand also standing out in the USA. In previous years, Tommy Doyle, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Phil Foden have taken advantage of the friendly schedule to show they are worthy of a first-team spot at Manchester City.

The Blues fly out to Japan for their 2023 tour, with a full squad expected to be on the plane, perhaps barring the injured Kevin De Bruyne. In addition to a strong senior group, pre-season is often the ideal chance for youngsters to catch the eye and set some groundwork for a potential future breakthrough.

After the academy made it three seasons in a row winning the Premier League 2 and under-18 Premier League double, there are plenty of promising talents ready to step up and who will be hopeful of getting the call for the pre-season tour.

Some are familiar to City fans and the first-team coaches, while others will be hoping to strengthen their position within the academy with a view to a first-team call-up in the future.

ALSO READ: McAtee outlines how Sheffield United mentality shift prepared him for City return

The familiar names begin with James McAtee, who is expected to be in the squad after impressing on loan at Sheffield United last season. He has played for Guardiola before, and knows the senior teammates, giving him a good grounding to kick on.

Of the youngsters who impressed last season in the Elite Development Squad, Oscar Bobb was the Player of the Year in the academy and has been on the bench for City in the past. He was involved for Norway at the U21 Euros recently, but with a potential opening in the senior squad, he may return for the tour.

Dire Mebude was a constant goal threat off the wings and it would be