The 41 Academy players who have made their debut under Guardiola | OneFootball

On this day, 10 years ago, we unveiled Pep Guardiola as our new manager.

Throughout that decade of sustained success at City, making the Catalan the most successful manager in the Club’s history, our former boss always maintained a commitment to bringing through homegrown talent.

A total of 41 Academy players were given their debuts in the first team.

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And to mark a decade of amazing memories with Guardiola at the helm, here’s a reminder of all those youngsters that made their first team debuts in the last 10 years...

PABLO MAFFEO

It was back in August 2016 and Guardiola’s first-ever European game at the Etihad Stadium when he handed a debut to an Academy player.

Then 19, Maffeo started at right-back as City guaranteed a place in the Champions League group stages with a 1-0 victory over Romanian side Steaua Bucharest.

BRAHIM DIAZ

Another Spaniard to come through the Academy, Diaz was just 17 when he was a second half substitute in the third round League Cup victory at Swansea City in September 2016.

He would score both goals in a 2-0 win over Fulham just over a year later and has since gone onto represent the Spain national team.

PHIL FODEN

The boyhood City fan has achieved so much in a Blue shirt since his debut as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in the Champions League win over Feyenoord in November 2017.

He’s since become our most decorated debutant with 18 major honours, a Premier League Player of the Season Award and has over 100 goals in blue.

LUKAS NMECHA

After scoring 20 times for the Under-18 Premier League winners in the 2015/16 season, the striker had been part of Guardiola’s squad before finally making his debut our Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Leicester City.

When the tie went to penalties, Nmecha coolly finished his spot-kick as City went on to win the trophy.

TOM DELE-BASHIRU

Tom Dele-Bashiru was another Academy player to make his debut in the same game in December 2017 as Guardiola relied on youth against difficult Premier League opponents.

He had moved through the age groups and made a big impression in the Under-18s, scoring six in 15 games from midfield.

CLAUDIO GOMES

Few players get to pick up a winners’ medal at Wembley on their first-team debut but that’s exactly what happened to the 18-year-old French midfielder.

Gomes was a late substitute as City won the 2018 Community Shield with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea.

ADRIAN BERNABE

After impressing on the pre-season tour to the United States, the Spanish midfielder made his debut in the Carabao Cup victory away to Oxford United.

That game in September 2018 is best remembered as Foden’s first goal for the Club as another Academy graduate also got the opportunity to shine along with the first team stars.

ARJANET MURIC

The Swiss youth international goalkeeper made his first start in the same match as he became the understudy to Ederson for the rest of the season.

Claudio Bravo had ruptured his Achilles tendon and Muric deputised and played in every Carabao Cup match on the way to Wembley where we beat Chelsea in 2019.

ERIC GARCIA

After making his debut in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in December 2018 at Leicester, Garcia went on to establish himself as a regular with the first team.

He was praised by Guardiola for his intelligence after playing a part in City’s success before his departure to his hometown club Barcelona in 2021.

FELIX NMECHA

The younger brother of Lukas, Felix Nmecha got his first opportunity in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Burton Albion in January 2019.

After joining the club as a nine-year-old, Felix had progressed through the age groups before getting first taste of senior football under Guardiola.

IAN CARLO POVEDA

A tricky fast winger, Poveda also made his first-team bow in the same match.

Despite winning the first leg 9-0, Guardiola still named a strong team and Sergio Aguero scored the only goal of the game.

TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS

Another talented City fan from Stockport, the then 17-year-old centre-back made his debut in the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Preston North End in September 2019.

TOMMY DOYLE

The midfielder’s credentials don’t come much stronger than being the grandson of two City greats in Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe.

So it was proud moment for him and his family when he made his debut in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in October 2019.

LIAM DELAP

The son of former Premier League player Rory, the striker could hardly have wished for a better start on his debut against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup in September 2020.

The then 17-year-old raced onto Foden’s pass to clip a brilliant strike into the top corner, although sadly the game was played behind closed doors due to COVID-19.

COLE PALMER

Cole Palmer was 18 when he made his first start for Guardiola in our Carabao Cup victory over Burnley in September 2020.

The winger showcased incredible trickery, link-up play and an eye for goal during the remainder of his time in Manchester before his move to Chelsea in 2023.

JOSH WILSON-ESBRAND

The then 19-year-old full-back got his first chance to play for Guardiola’s first-team in our Carabao Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers in September 2021.

In an impressive debut, he set up Riyad Mahrez’s strike with a confident run and clever pass.

FINLEY BURNS

The young centre-back also made his debut in the same game in a youthful back-four.

LUKE MBETE

Luke Mbete was Burns’ defensive partner in the same game against Wycombe as City triumphed 6-1.

“The players and the fans helped us a lot, they were brilliant,” he said after the game. “And obviously the support from [Guardiola] as well and the staff behind the scenes.”

CJ EGAN-RILEY

To complete a youthful back-four, Egan-Riley made his first start in the same match.

18at the time, Egan-Riley had spent 10 years working his way through the youth ranks and was handed another start in the Champions League last-16 against Sporting.

ROMEO LAVIA

A talented defensive midfielder, he also got his first opportunity against Wycombe aged just 17.

He had impressed helping the Club’s Elite Development Squad to back-to-back Premier League 2 titles before being trusted by Guardiola in City’s engine room on his debut.

JAMES MCATEE

It showed his talent that the then 18-year-old midfielder was able to come on as a left-back in the same game.

After joining the club at Under-11 level, McAtee scored 19 goals in 25 games as Brian Barry-Murphy’s side successfully defended the Premier League 2 title.

BEN KNIGHT

The attacker made his first-team debut in the Community Shield defeat to Leicester in August 2021.

A regular with England at Youth level, he was a key figure in the Under-18 Premier League Cup triumph of 2019 before moving onto the EDS.

SAM EDOZIE

The winger also made his first appearance in the same game at Wembley.

RICO LEWIS

The young right-back burst onto the scene in his first full season with Guardiola’s side in 2022/23.

19 at the time, the boyhood blue made his debut in our Premier League win over Bournemouth in August and scored a memorable goal on his first start against Sevilla in the Champions League.

Shea Charles

In 2023, City had wrapped up the Premier League title before our final game of the campaign against Brentford.

It provided Pep Guardiola the opportunity to see some fresh faces gain minutes and the next to do so was defensive midfielder Shea Charles.

The then 19-year-old replaced Nathan Ake for the final 30 minutes of City’s 1-0 defeat, but for the boyhood blue who had been with the Club since Under-9s, it was a proud moment for the youngster.

Oscar Bobb

After dazzling in City’s Elite Development Squad in 2022/23, helping the team lift the Premier League 2 title, Oscar Bobb was awarded his senior debut on 2 September 2023.

The Norwegian, featured as a late substitute in City’s 5-1 Premier League win over Fulham. A few weeks later Guardiola gave Bobb his full debut, playing the entirety of our 1-0 Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle.

Mahamadou Susoho

Another Spain youth international in Mahamadou Susoho became City’s 27th debutant under Guardiola.

The defensive midfielder joined the Academy in 2017 and quickly impressed with his strength, versatility and ability to read play.

Six years later, Susoho travelled with Guardiola’s side for our Red Star Belgrade Champions League group stage clash. He featured as a second half substitute in our 3-2 win before also being included in our 2023 FIFA Club World Cup squad.

Micah Hamilton

Micah Hamilton was also handed his first-team debut in our Champions League triumph over Red Star Belgrade.

The winger topped off his debut with his first senior goal as the boyhood blue, who was also a ball boy for the first-team back in 2017, got his first set of senior minutes just six years later.

Jacob Wright

Also a boyhood blue, midfielder Jacob Wright had his first taste of first-team football when he travelled with Guardiola’s squad to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia but did not feature in either game as City lifted the trophy.

A few weeks later, Wright made his senior debut on 7 January 2024 as a second half substitute in City’s 5-0 FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town at the Etihad.

Nico O’Reilly

A familiar face and fan favourite Nico O’Reilly became Pep Guardiola’s 30th Academy debutant in a memorable debut for the young blue who has spent his whole life at the City Football Academy.

The England international made his debut in the 2024 Community Shield in which City beat Manchester United on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

O’Reilly played in midfield for 63 minutes in what was an impressive first outing and only the start of things to come for the then 19-year-old.

Kaden Braithwaite

At 16 years and 229 days, Kaden Braithwaite became the Club’s third youngest player to make their debut for City.

Pep Guardiola started the defender in our 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Watford in September 2024 in what was a proud moment for the boyhood blue and his family.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

The next defender to debut in City’s backline was Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

The then 18-year-old, just months after captaining City to FA Youth Cup glory, appeared as a second half substitute in City’s 2-1 Carabao Cup loss at Tottenham Hotspur in October 2024.

Divin Mubama

After moving to City from West Ham in August 2024, Mubama’s first appearance in blue was actually for Pep Guardiola’s team.

The striker led City’s line in our 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford and scored our second goal of the afternoon in what was a memorable afternoon for the Academy.

The England youth international would then go on to help the Elite Development Squad lift the Premier League 2 in a standout debut campaign for the Club which saw him score 17 goals in 16 games across all competitions.

James Trafford

After returning to the Club following a permanent move to Burnley, the City Academy graduate made his debut for Pep Guardiola’s team in the first Premier League game of 2025/26.

The England international kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 away win at Wolverhampton Wanderers and went on to help City win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in an unforgettable first campaign for the Blues.

Divine Mukasa

Mukasa moved to Manchester in 2023 and the midfielder quickly impressed in City’s Under-18s, helping the team lift the Under-18 Premier League North and FA Youth Cup titles over the past two seasons.

After impressing in pre-season in a friendly against Palermo in August 2025, Mukasa made his competitive senior debut in City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield Town in which he assisted Phil Foden’s opening goal.

Jaden Heskey

Mukasa was one of three debutants that night. Jaden Heskey featured as a second half substitute and provided composed, fresh legs in City’s engine room to help guarantee success against the League One outfit.

His debut was made extra special when he got to feature alongside a familiar face who was the third and final debut of the night…

Reigan Heskey

Jaden’s younger brother, Reigan, also took centre stage in our win over Huddersfield as he also made his debut for the Club as a second half substitute on an evening full of young, exciting talent on show.

Charlie Gray

The holding midfielder came on as an 81st minute substitute replacing Phil Foden in the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Brentford.

Gray was one of seven of our homegrown players involved in the tie and proves how much talent we have on offer and ready to push for the first team.

Max Alleyne

After spending the first half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Championship outfit Watford, Max Alleyne returned to City in January 2026 after a handful of injuries left Guardiola with limited options in defence.

Less than a week later, the then 20-year-old made his debut for the Club, playing the entirety of our 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton.

Ryan McAidoo

The rapid winger not only made his debut in our FA Cup third round tie against Exeter but also found the net in a dominant 10-1 victory.

It was a superb second-half strike with McAidoo displaying the electric skill that has lit up our Academy since he joined from Chelsea in August 2024. The afternoon was extra special for the England youth international who was pictured celebrating his goal with his family who watched from the stands.

Stephen Mfuni

Mfuni also earned his senior debut in the same fixture coming on as a half-time substitute.

It meant he became the eighth Academy player to make his first-team debut in the 2025/26 campaign and would later become the final debutant from the Pep Guardiola era.