I left school in May and made Man City history in September - now I've been set a new challenge
manchestereveningnews.co.ukIn most cases, predicting the next academy graduate to break into Pep Guardiola's first team is easy. There are usually clues, from first-team training to squad inclusions or eye-catching form in the under-21s.
But when Kaden Braithwaite became the 31st academy graduate to make his Manchester City debut under Guardiola in September, the question on most lips was (respectfully) - 'who?' At just 16 years old, Braithwaite became the youngest debutant in 42 years and the third-youngest in club history.
He bypassed a handful of older players who had been on pre-season tour and there was even some welcome surprise within the academy that he had been selected.
It was, in theory, far too soon to be drawing out a first team path for him. ALSO READ: Man City to get early team news hint vs Tottenham as three youngsters could earn Carabao Cup call-up ALSO READ: 'Starting to worry' - brutal Roy Keane verdict on Arsenal backs up Man City dressing room view on title rivals He had never trained with the first team until the eve of the game, where he impressed Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain suitably.
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