The most remarkable Man City Academy graduates ever

There’s nothing more pleasing to a team than one of its academy graduates breaking into the first team and becoming a top-level star.

Fans often go crazy over these stories because the graduates embody the club’s values and carry the badge at heart. For clubs, it also means acquiring a high-level player at a low cost; cheaper to develop than to buy ready-made.

In Manchester City’s case, several academy graduates have not only leaped into the first team set-up but also grown into international stars who have brought glory, joy, and serious revenue to the club.

Let’s take a look at some of the most notable names, players often mentioned among the best Manchester City youth players.

Phil Foden

If there is a name synonymous with Man City, it is Phil Foden. He is one of Pep Guardiola’s key pieces and a favourite among Manchester City homegrown players. Born in Stockport and a City fan since childhood, Foden joined the academy at six.

His breakout moment came in 2017, when he won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball with England’s youth team, and he made his senior Manchester City debut that same year before being named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in December. 

Since then, he has surpassed the 300-appearance mark, picked up 17 major honours – including the European treble – and turned versatility into a trademark, operating across midfield and the front line without losing his edge.

Jeremie Frimpong

Frimpong arrived at Manchester City aged nine after impressing with AFC Clayton and Clayton Villa. Scouts from Liverpool and City noticed him at a local tournament; he chose City because it was closer to home. 

He worked steadily through Premier League 2 and UEFA Youth League minutes, then moved to Celtic at 18, debuting on September 2, 2019 in the Scottish League Cup. His first season in Scotland was electric: rapid overlaps, fearless dribbling, and the fans’ Young Player award. 

In 2021, Bayer Leverkusen signed him, and he became one of the best attacking right-backs around – relentless down the flank and decisive in the final third – as Leverkusen won a historic Bundesliga title. 

On May 30, 2025 he returned to England with Liverpool, proof that Manchester City’s academy can shape elite pros even when their peak comes elsewhere.

Cole Palmer

Palmer is Chelsea’s face today, but he is still one of the standout Manchester City academy products. He joined the Under-8s, captained the Under-18s, and made his first-team debut on September 30, 2020 in the EFL Cup. 

In 2022/23, he featured more often – often off the bench – yet his contributions mattered in a treble-winning season. Seeking consistent minutes, Palmer made the bold call to move to Chelsea, and the bet paid off: a breakout campaign, Young Player of the Season, and a leading role in winning the Club World Cup. 

Different shirt, same message – City’s youth system readies players for the highest level.

Jadon Sancho

Sancho began at Watford’s academy at seven and moved to Manchester City at 14 for an initial £66,000 under the Elite Player Performance Plan. His talent propelled him onto a fast-track list for senior involvement, but a breakdown over his pathway meant he left before debuting. 

At Borussia Dortmund, he exploded, racking up goals, assists, and highlight-reel moments that made him one of Europe’s hottest young forwards. In 2021, he returned to the Premier League with Manchester United for a reported €85 million. 

Form and fitness have been uneven since, with loans and attempted sales, but his rise still reflects well on Manchester City’s academy: the environment develops fearlessness and technical polish, even if the final chapter isn’t written at the Etihad Stadium.

How have Man City Academy products influenced the club’s success in Europe?

The impact is clear. Phil Foden’s growth gave Pep Guardiola a homegrown match-winner who understands City’s positional play without being scripted by it. Cole Palmer, before departing, chipped in during the run that delivered the club’s first Champions League title. 

Even those who left early – Jadon Sancho and Jeremie Frimpong among them – show the academy’s capacity to prepare players for top European environments, which in turn reinforces Manchester City’s reputation and attracts the next generation. 

That pipeline continues: the club expects a lot from its youngest prospects – Divine Mukasa, among the latest – to keep that standard.

Manchester City’s model now blends global stars with a steady supply of homegrown players who know the culture and the demands of the system. It is sustainable, competitive, and, for supporters, satisfying. 

And for the neutral, these stories add another dimension to matchdays – right down to the chatter and odds that swirl around Premier League live betting, where academy-bred form and momentum can tilt the narrative.