HE'S not the only young talent who hasn't lived up to expectations.
Numerous players emerge from top-tier academies, some even make their debut, but then fail to reach the required standard and end up playing in the lower leagues.
Some manage to return to the top and, even if they don't, Manchester City take just as much pride in producing academy players who enjoy lengthy careers in the Football League as they do those who permanently join their own first team.
If you were to categorise the career trajectories of all City academy players based on the level they achieved or their future careers, one notable exception would stand out.
Reece Wabara. The 32-year-old multi-millionaire who traded football for fashion and never looked back.
After joining City at the age of 14, Wabara made his Blues debut on the last day of the 2010/11 season.
He was loaned to Ipswich and Oldham, where he netted the winning goal for Latics in a memorable FA Cup upset against a formidable Liverpool side in 2013 under the stewardship of City legend Paul Dickov.
He subsequently had loan stints at Blackpool and Doncaster before City let him go in 2014.
Wabara experienced a transition from Dickov's Doncaster to stints at Barnsley and Wigan. While he was moving through League One and the Championship, something off the field began to rise - profoundly impacting his life.
Reflecting on his football trajectory, Wabara admitted to CEOCAST in December 2022: "It's my fault," as quoted by The Manchester Evening News. "I was complacent, I didn't go hard enough.
"It was too easy up until 18, then everyone started to catch me up.
"I was the best player. You're a kid, you don't have that understanding. When it's easy and you don't know it's easy until retrospect, you don't go hard."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Suspect 'known to victim' as two dead in stabbing
POLICE DESCRIBE DOUBLE KILLING AS 'ISOLATED' AS THEY REASSURE SHOCKED COMMUNITY
Red dawn as boss Amorim takes training
RUBEN Amorim will take training as United head coach for the first time today after his visa to officially start work in the role was approved.
Lollipop man Barry has job he'll stick at
A LOLLIPOP man has become the fifth member of his family to take on the job.
STAR-STUDDED GALA RAISES RECORD SUM TO AID CHILDREN
MOVIE stars joined TV favourites and football legends in Manchester at the city's biggest fundraising ball for another record-breaking night.
Why Reds should Let Leny sink or swim at Ipswich
'THERE IS NO REASON TO EASE YORO INTO ACTION'
Player audit shows need for squad 'surgery' in January
CITY LOOK A PLAYER SHORT IN DEFENCE, MIDFIELD AND ATTACK
I didn't make it at City but now I'm worth £83m
FORMER RIGHT-BACK REECE WABARA SHOWED FLAIR AT ETIHAD ACADEMY BUT EVEN MORE AS A BUSINESSMAN IN FASHION
Rory's World best wins the race again
RORY McIlroy finished the 2024 season in style by adding his third DP World Tour Championship win after winning the sixth Race to Dubai title of his career.
Carsley signs off in style with rout against Ireland
INTERIM boss Lee Carsley signed off in style as England capitalised on Liam Scales' sending off in a 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland that sealed promotion back to the Nations League top tier.
Bizet's maiden goal helps Reds end run
CELIN Bizet scored her maiden United goal to help them break their three-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Leicester in the Women's Super League.
