Five young talents from Manchester City’s Academy to watch this season

Manchester City’s City Football Academy training and development hub is often called a football factory, and for good reason.

Season after season, the CFA – adjacent to the Etihad Stadium itself – has transformed raw talent into players who not only play in Pep Guardiola’s senior first-team squad, but also shape its future. 

This season, a further handful of rising Manchester City names stand out for their statistics on the pitch and in front of goal, as well as the versatility they bring to their respective positions and roles when deployed.

Keep reading to find out who they are, and what they bring to the field!

Divine Mukasa

Divine Mukasa is an up-and-coming City academy talent brought in from West Ham in 2023 as a midfielder. At just 18, his name quickly rose up the ranks due to his creativity in tight spaces and precision.

In one season, he scored 16 goals and 15 assists in 20 matches. Just recently, on his very first senior debut in the EFL Cup, Mukasa also provided an assist en route to securing a 0-2 victory away against Huddersfield Town.

“You’ve just got to take it in your stride, really,” Mukasa stated. “Obviously, you’d be nervous because if you’re not nervous, then you probably don’t care. You’re definitely nervous, but you’ve just got to channel it the right way and do what you can.”

Following young players is exciting, but whether you are catching EFL Cup matches like Divine Mukasa’s debut or keeping tabs on the FA Youth Cup, it can sometimes be tricky to get a reliable stream.

Streaming services often have regional restrictions, and with games now spread across so many different platforms, finding a consistent, high-quality stream isn’t always easy.

Some fans use tools like VPNs to get a more stable connection while streaming, especially with regional restrictions; you can learn about it some more here.

Stephen Mfuni

A star player in the Academy system, Stephen Mfuni has certainly had his share of time on the field, having played in 25 matches, the FA Youth Cup final, and even travelled as part of first-team matchday squads.

Capable of playing both at left-back and centre half, Mfuni is one of the younger players in the Under-18s but continues to develop rapidly, while his strength in anticipation, positioning, as well as ball-playing earned him a spot in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2024: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs.

And they were right to name him within that ranking. While still in the Manchester City Academy, Stephen Mfuni already signed his first professional contract with Manchester City in July 2025.

Reigan Heskey

Continuing the family legacy, Reigan Heskey brings a familiar name into Manchester City’s academy line-up. A natural striker with pace and strength, he inherited his father’s physique but added his versatility to it, making him capable of playing across the frontline.

He has shown his eye for the goal since the age of 15, scoring 23 goals across Under-18s and EDS levels. Currently playing as forward, he made his senior debut alongside several of his fellow Academy players in the match against Huddersfield, featuring as a second-half sub.

Jaden Heskey, his older brother, also plays for Manchester City, making them the first brothers to play for the team since Kolo and Yaya Toure.

Justin Oboavwoduo

Justin Oboavwoduo is one of the youngest players to join the Manchester City Academy, being recruited when he was only eight years old.

His professional profile describes him as “deadly in front of goal coupled with outstanding trickery in tight areas,” backed up by impressive figures: over 30 appearances and 12 goals in both the Under-18s and EDS in a single season.

Currently playing as a dynamic forward, Oboavwoduo has shown he can adapt to different attacking roles, while first-team tour involvement over the last two seasons has signalled that Pep Guardiola is monitoring him closely.

“Being so close with the first team, going to Saudi [Arabia for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023] with them and experiencing that, it’s really something that you want to be part of,” he states. 

Finlay Gorman

Finlay Gorman is one of England’s brightest young midfielders, brought to Manchester City’s Academy from Leeds United in 2023. At just 16, he has already made waves with his ability to control the tempo of a match and unlock defences with incisive passing.

His vision and balance on the ball have earned him recognition at England youth international level, where he continues to impress. Statistically, Gorman provided eight goals and nine assists in just 21 matches for City’s Under-18s last season.

He also delivered a standout performance in the FA Youth Cup, scoring a hat-trick and proving he can step up in high-pressure matches. With time on his side, Gorman is showing signs of becoming a future midfield orchestrator who can influence big matches for club and country.

What each player brings to the pitch

As Pep Guardiola’s side continues to fight on multiple fronts, it is highly likely that we will be seeing these youngsters showcase their skills on the field. Here’s why each of them stands out:  

• Divine Mukasa: Midfielder with flair, creativity, and composure; already registered an EFL Cup assist.
• Stephen Mfuni: Defender known for anticipation, positioning, and ball-playing ability.
• Reigan Heskey: Forward with pace, strength, and versatility across the frontline.
• Justin Oboavwoduo: Attacker deadly in tight areas, adaptable across different roles.
• Finlay Gorman: Midfielder with vision, passing range, and big-match maturity.