When they have progressed through the club’s system and have outgrown the Elite Development Squad, there is almost a brick wall between the under-21s and the first team.
Only a few have jumped over that wall, and they show how good a player has to be to cement themselves in Pep Guardiola’s plans – namely Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.
Others have found the step up harder, such as Cole Palmer, deciding that a loan exit is a better option for getting valuable first-team experience.
Or some decide that a permanent exit is a more sensible move, with Shea Charles the latest Under-21 regular to leave for big money.
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