Khaldoon Al Mubarak has ‘long-term aim’ for Manchester City squad

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak holds a long-term aim for the first-team squad at the Etihad Stadium, according to a recent report.

The latest revelation concerning the next phase of development of the Manchester City squad comes after yet another dramatic summer transfer window, when the reigning Premier League champions saw several changes in the way of arrivals and departures.

On the signings front, City recruited in all areas bringing in Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes into their midfield from Chelsea and Wolves respectively, Josko Gvardiol slotting into defence from RB Leipzig, and Jeremy Doku adding to the attacking set-up from Stade Rennes.

However, while those signings have all made commendable starts to their respective Manchester City careers, a new report has detailed that the continued rise and development of Rico Lewis will be the trend impressing the club’s chairman the most.

As per Paul Hirst of The Times, one of Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s long-term aims for the club’s first-team squad is for that aspect of the organisation to contain ‘five or six’ homegrown players.

Rico Lewis – who broke through into Manchester City’s first team squad and registered frequent appearances last season – is expected to be the latest player to firmly integrate themselves into Pep Guardiola’s set-up.

Over the seasons, a number of players have shown promise within the City squad, however some of decided to take routes away from the Etihad Stadium with the immediate promise of regular first-team football.

City coaches and officials believe another name who could follow the path taken by the likes of Phil Foden and Rico Lewis in particular is Oscar Bobb, who this week received his first call-up to the senior Norway men’s national team.