It was always going to be a difficult ask to follow Manchester City's all-conquering academy sides from last season. Under Enzo Maresca and Carlos Vicens, City won the Premier League 2, the Under-18 Premier League North division, followed by the national title, and also picked up the 2020 FA Youth Cup for good measure.
A 'Class of 21' was emerging, with the likes of Liam Delap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tommy Doyle and Cole Palmer leading the way for the Elite Development Squad.
But the nature of academy football means there is always a conveyor belt of talent, with those stars at under-23 level becoming hungry for senior football, and the younger players hungry to succeed them.
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