2024 review: Elite Development Squad | OneFootball

Eye-catching development perhaps best describes the contrasting performances between the two halves of 2024.

City’s Elite Development Squad have had time to become accustomed to the new Premier League 2 format, which was introduced last season, and the squad are now leading the pack at the midway point in 2024/25.

A change in leadership, which saw Brian Barry-Murphy depart and Under-18s Lead Coach Ben Wilkinson step into the Under-21s role, has been bolstered by the return of injured players which hindered City’s performances in the year before.

And another 12 months of football under the belt for our rising stars has seen them mature in both domestic competitions and in the UEFA Youth League– which has also seen a new format test City’s strength against European giants' youngsters.

Here we look back at some key talking points from 2024…

WATCH: Take a trip down Platt Lane!

IMPROVEMENT

The keyword that embodies 2024 for our EDS is improvement.

Our Under-21s, struggling with injuries across the pitch, couldn’t find consistent form in the PL2 during the first six months of the year. It wasn’t until a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest we registered our first league win in 2024.

We would go on to pick up a further two triumphs as we completed the 2023/24 campaign outside of the top 16 - missing out on a play-off place.

A much more mature team, which welcomed fresh faces from the Under-18s for the 2024/25 season, Wilkinson’s EDS squad have lost just one game in the latest campaign.

A nine-game successive winning run as we prepare for 2025 sees us at the PL2 summit in what has been an incredible half to the season which has included 36 goals in 10 games.

EUROPEAN STAGE

As the curtain fell on 2023, our Under-19s confirmed a place in the Youth League Round of 16 for a second successive campaign.

A difficult trip to Germany and FSV Mainz awaited last term. And in front of a vibrant and loud home contingent, City fell to a tense 2-1 defeat. Justin Oboavwoduo drew City level but Philipp Schulz’s penalty proved to be the decisive factor in another valuable experience for our young boys in blue.

Looking to take their learnings into this season, City placed 11th in the new League Phase which has seen us progress to the Round of 32.

WATCH: Highlights: Juventus U19s 1-1 City U19s

Two defeats, to table toppers Inter Milan and Sporting CP before impressive 4-0, 3-0 and 6-1 wins over Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Prague and Feyenoord respectively showcased our goalscoring talent.

A 1-1 draw with Juventus saw us complete the first stage of the competition. An exciting trip to Denmark and FC Midtjylland awaits in February.

SENIOR SETTING

It’s been another incredible season of seeing our young talent reach their goal of achieving a senior debut or to be involved in first-team training on a regular basis.

At the start of the calendar year, Jacob Wright made his senior debut in City’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield.

He would then go on to be one of seven current EDS players to go on City’s pre-season tour to the United States. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Nico O’Reilly, Oboavwoduo, Jaden Heskey, Stephen Mfuni and Lakyle Samuel also gained precious experience with Pep Guardiola and his squad.

WATCH: Oboavwoduo recalls outstanding Feyenoord assist

Two of those have also gone on to play for our first-team. O’Reilly made his competitive debut in our Community Shield win over Manchester United at Wembley before Simpson-Pusey came on as a substitute in our Carabao Cup defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in October.

And the EDS involvement around City’s first-team doesn’t stop there. Regular faces in training sessions and around Premier League and Champions League matchdays, the Club’s seamless transition between the two teams is something City are incredibly proud of.

MOMENTS OF MAGIC

It’s fair to say it has been 12 months sprinkled with amazing moments.

Under-18s captain at the time, J. Heskey was tasked with adding depth to the EDS squad. He came on as a substitute in the second half with City needing inspiration for a win at Leicester. A brace from the midfielder helped us pick up our third win of the 2023/24 season.

He isn’t the only Heskey to shine for our Academy. Jaden’s brother Reigan has stepped up to the Under-18s for the 2024/25 campaign. But he’s already gained minutes, alongside his older brother, for the EDS.

Reigan was a late substitute in our EFL Trophy game at Grimsby. The 16-year-old put City 1-0 up in the closing minutes, his first senior football goal. We went on to draw 1-1 with the League Two outfit before winning 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out.

WATCH: Highlights: City U19s 6-1 Feyenoord U19s

Ryan McAidoo is another 16-year-old who has shone for the EDS this term.

With the ambition to make his Youth League debut this season, he exceeded his target with a second-half hat-trick in City’s 6-1 win over Feyenoord at the Joie Stadium in November.

In the month prior, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht was selected as the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for September after four goals in three games.

LOOKING AHEAD

With all the above in mind, it seems our EDS are poised for what will be an exciting start to 2025.

With important lessons taken on board from our EFL trophy exit but strong performances to be proud of against Chesterfield, Grimsby and Lincoln, our EDS have already showcased they can be fierce and confident in play against any opponent.

A handful of exciting talent is still working towards fitness. Full-back Ezra Carrington, midfielder Isaiah Dada-Mascoll, forward Tai Sodje and winger Ashton Muir are looking to enter the matchday fold in 2025.

Our Youth League campaign continues in February as we look to win our first knockout stage game in three years.

Four consecutive wins in 2025 would see City qualify for the PL2 knockout stage with six games left to play. It would be the first time the Club has done so since the league’s restructure in 2023.

Here’s to an enticing 2025.