Manchester City rising star compared to Chelsea’s Levi Colwill as loan move encouraged | OneFootball

One of the most highly-rated talents currently emerging from Manchester City’s youth set-up is being compared to Chelsea’s Levi Colwill.

The Etihad Stadium has become a breeding ground for elite young stars in recent years, with the club continuing to prioritise development within their Academy system alongside strategic recruitment.

From Rico Lewis’ rise into Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans to the continued progress of prospects like Nico O’Reilly and Divine Mukasa, Manchester City’s production line remains as strong as ever.

Now, another name is beginning to draw attention in Stephen Mfuni. The teenage centre-back, just 17 years of age, is already attracting comparisons to some of England’s finest defenders due to his technical qualities, maturity in possession, and ability to operate comfortably on his weaker side.

Those within Manchester City, both in the boardroom and coaching positions, hold him in very high regard, viewing him as a player capable of stepping into senior football sooner rather than later.

Stephen Mfuni’s development has been carefully managed at the City Football Academy, where the emphasis has been on refining his positional awareness and distribution under pressure.

With Manchester City’s defensive depth at youth level – and first-team pathways often requiring patience – discussions have reportedly been held about identifying a suitable loan environment to accelerate his physical and tactical growth.

As per a wide-ranging report from MailSport’s Nathan Salt, Manchester City’s left-footed central defender Mfuni has drawn comparisons with Chelsea and England international star Levi Colwill.

The 17-year-old’s biggest strength is said to be bringing the ball out from defensive areas of the pitch, while youth football expert ‘The Secret Scout’ has encouraged the player to exit Manchester City on a temporary agreement.

“You look at Championship defenders that come through – John Stones, Harry Maguire, Ezri Konsa, Joe Gomez – clubs seem to buy them later on,” said The Secret Scout.

“For Mfuni – who had interest in the summer – he is going to have to find a loan move because it’s a bit of a false reality at Man City. He is a really good player and if you’re left-footed, it’s a real luxury.”

A potential loan move could follow a familiar City Football Group model, with destinations such as Girona or a Championship club seen as ideal platforms for first-team exposure, as seen in the case of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Callum Doyle in recent seasons.

Should Mfuni continue to progress at his current rate, a first-team debut under Pep Guardiola within the next two years is not out of the question, or perhaps even in cup competition this season given his matchday squad appearances already at senior level.

However, for now, the emphasis appears to be on ensuring the youngster gains competitive experience and continues to evolve in an environment that challenges his defensive consistency and leadership.