The City Football Group is slowly becoming a path to the Manchester City first team

The City Football Group is slowly starting to become a path to the Manchester City first team. While the Manchester City EDS has consistently produced players for Pep Guardiola’s first team and across Europe the CFG as a whole has been a slow burn. The City Football Group now consists of 13 teams across the globe. It has helped grow the Manchester City brand across the globe. But it appears now that the set up is beginning to produce players capable of playing for the European champions.

The CFG system is aiding young players development

A major story of this season across Europe has been the rise of Girona in La Liga. The CFG club has risen to second in the La Liga standings and appears to be a legitimate title contender. Girona has been a team that Manchester City have previously sent players on loan to develop in Spain since they became a part of the City Football Group.

Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is a prime example of this. He was signed by Manchester City in July 2017. Luiz spent two seasons on loan at Girona. Douglas Luiz was able to learn and develop in Spain as a young player. He was sold to Aston Villa in July 2019. Unai Emery’s side have reaped the benefits of the CFG set up as Luiz has become a premier midfielder in the Premier League this season. Douglas Luiz is only one of the many examples of the CFG system aiding players development as they learn their craft.

This season has seen Savio and Yan Couto rise to prominence for Girona. The sparkling form of both has seen them attract attention from across Europe. Harry Pratt has reported for the Daily Star of Real Madrid’s interest in Yan Couto. Savio has been linked with Barcelona by Spanish publication Sport. But also included in Harry Pratt’s report is Manchester City’s intention to introduce Couto to Pep Guardiola’s first team this summer. Savio has also been linked with a summer move to Manchester City by Fabrizio Romano.

The CFG set up could be a path to Manchester City for the Brazilian pair. If the reports are accurate and they both do end up at Manchester City this summer it could open the door for other players to follow a similar career path.

Summary

This season has seen two Brazilians starlets possibly become poster boys for the City Football Group set up. It has taken time for Manchester City to see the benefits of the CFG set up but this summer may see the first fruits fall off the CFG tree.

While the multi club ownership model has it critics it may become the future as more clubs follow Manchester City’s lead.