While plenty of youngsters impressed during Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the US, not each and every single name will be handed a place in the first-team.
The cases of players like Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis in recent years are rare to say the least where they are considered first-team ready after a few outings in pre-season — despite how undeniably terrific they looked.
James McAtee, on the other hand, is a more suitable example of how a young player can Manchester City can become a part of their first-team.
After spending two seasons out on loan at Sheffield United, Pep Guardiola recently granted McAtee his first-team berth ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The Englishman has always been tipped as one of City’s best young talents and yet, he has had to bide his time away from his boyhood club.
However, the youngsters who were given consistent minutes by Pep Guardiola would be encouraged to witness that the legendary manager seemingly rates them highly.
One young prospect who was given a look-in by the Catalan in his side’s US pre-season tour was Callum Doyle — who is one of their best young defenders.
Recently, Doyle also stated it is “everyone’s dream” to work with Guardiola.
At the Etihad Stadium, the prospect of a young centre-back even getting a look-in as a first-team player seem thin.
Report shares fresh detail about Callum Doyle and Norwich City loan
The likes of Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol are not just incredible centre-backs but also very versatile.
Dias is comfortable as both a left and a right-sided defender while the rest can deputise in the full-back position.
As a result, Doyle’s services in the senior side are not of utmost important to Guardiola.
At 20 years old, the Englishman still has time on his side before he worries about his first-team prospects in one of the best sides in the world.
Last month, it was reported that the Manchester City defender is set to join Norwich City on loan after his involvement in the club’s pre-season tour.
As per a report by Pink Un, Doyle is set to undergo a medical to sign for Norwich on a season-long loan deal on Monday.
The Canaries are believed to have targeted the highly-rated youngster’s signature throughout the ongoing summer transfer window.
Callum Doyle will be eager to impress after pre-season look-in at Man City
If the loan move goes through, Doyle will be eager to impress in a Norwich shirt.
After having been a rock at the back for the likes of Sunderland, Coventry City and Leicester City, while also having represented City in pre-season, another successful loan stint could further increase the England U-21 international’s chances of becoming a first-team player at the Etihad Stadium one day.
Doyle certainly looked like he could hold his own against the likes of Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
However, Manchester City perhaps feel it would be best for him to continue developing in the Championship.
Doyle has the potential to play for City one day but for that to become the case in the future, he will have to build a body of work as a loan player that makes it difficult for the club to deny him a first-team spot.
