A Progress Report on the Manchester City Players out on Loan
The loan system is becoming increasingly important to Premier League clubs. The homegrown-quota rule means they are now under severe pressure to produce their own academy players. Loaning out promising youngsters gives clubs an opportunity to retain a player’s registration whilst testing their progress at a more competitive level than the youth system offers.
Manchester City have sent a number of their players on loan this season in a bid to give them experience of regular first-team football. It’s something that looks set to continue next season, with plenty of their current crop of EDS and academy players needing to step up their preparations for the senior City squad.
Here’s a quick look at the progress of some of the young Blues out on loan this season.
Marcos Lopes
1 of 10
One of the most promising young players on City’s books is Marcos Lopes. He played a handful of cup games for City’s first team before moving to Lille for the year at the beginning of the season, and it’s been a fine example of how the loan system can benefit a young player’s progress.
He’s arguably the most technically gifted player in the Lille squad, and has made 24 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, scoring three goals.
Injuries have held him back, but, overall, he has impressed and could quite easily come back to City in the summer and play a squad role next season.
Jason Denayer
2 of 10
A season-long loan move to Celtic for centre-back Jason Denayer has proven to be hugely successful. In a league that offers less quality than the top division in England, he’s had an opportunity to play regularly in a side competing for trophies and under huge expectancy from their supporters.
A Scottish Premier League title and a League Cup have been secured and he’s appeared in the Europa League, too. He’s played 42 times for Celtic and made his debut for Belgium in a win over Israel back in March.
He will be expecting some game time next season if he returns to City in the summer.
John Guidetti
3 of 10
John Guidetti is another who has benefitted from a season-long loan to Celtic.
He started well, scoring 11 goals in his first 12 games, but since then his form has fluctuated.
He’s a player who’s struggled with injury and illness in recent years, and a season of regular football was much needed. His contract with City expires in the summer and he is now in a much better position to command a contract with another club having proven his fitness at Celtic Park.
Karim Rekik
4 of 10
Karim Rekik has spent the last two seasons on loan at PSV, playing regularly at both left-back and centre-back.
Given the high regard he is held in at the Dutch club, it would hardly be a surprise if they looked to make the move permanent. However, City’s need to fulfil the homegrown criteria laid out by the Premier League could see him viewed as a squad player, particularly given his versatility.
He’s played 34 times this season in the Eredivisie and Europa League.
Seko Fofana
5 of 10
The competitiveness of the Championship makes it a great league for players to move to on loan. Big crowds, plenty of quality and a significant number of teams who can realistically compete for promotion makes it a wonderful league for young players to play in and gain experience.
City’s Seko Fofana, 20, has played on loan at Fulham this season, making 25 appearances across the league and FA Cup. He's shown moments of quality, but he's also erratic at times and needs to refine his game somewhat before he can be considered for the City first team.
Alvaro Negredo
6 of 10
For the first five months of Alvaro Negredo's time at City he was superb. In tandem with Sergio Aguero, there are few, if any, better strike pairings in the club's history, albeit for a very brief period.
Homesickness followed, though, and a loan move to Valencia suited everyone involved. A permanent move in the summer was also built into the deal meaning his time at City, effectively, was over after one season.
His contribution at Valencia, though, has been disappointing. Just six goals all season having played 32 games isn't good enough for a player of his ability.
Bruno Zuculini
7 of 10
Another City player who moved on loan to Valencia at the start of the season is 22-year-old Bruno Zuculini.
However, having made just one appearance for the club, he moved to Cordoba on loan in January and it's been a much more fruitful deal for all concerned. He's made nine appearances for the La Liga side and has impressed when given opportunities.
Perhaps another season on loan will be best for him as he prepares himself to challenge for a place in the City squad.
Devante Cole
8 of 10
Devante Cole started the season on loan at Barnsley before switching to MK Dons in January. He's played 38 times this season across his two loan spells and scored 10 goals.
Cole looks to have the ability to make a career in the game at some level, but whether that will be at City is still unclear. The leap from youth player to City's first team is a huge and Cole, who is a powerful striker, may need further loan opportunities to develop his game further.
Scott Sinclair
9 of 10
Scott Sinclair has made 10 appearances for Aston Villa since signing for the Midlands club in January and he will surely leave City in the summer.
Villa had agreed a £2.5 million fee which they can trigger if the loan spell works out, but his recent omission from the squad has cast that into some doubt.
He needs a permanent move somewhere, though, if he is to get his stalling career back on track.
Matija Nastasic
10 of 10
It was a strange end to Matija Nastasic's City career. After so much early promise, Manuel Pellegrini's arrival signalled a downward spiral and this season, with first-team opportunities at City limited, he joined Schalke on loan in January.
He's impressed there and the club have already agreed a fee to sign him permanently at the end of the season on a four-year deal, according to Ben Nagle writing for Mail Online.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
