Manchester City mapping long-term Premier League plan for Troyes wonderkids | OneFootball

Manchester City are closely monitoring two emerging Ligue 2 stars at sister club Troyes with a view to bring them to England in the future, according to a new report.

Whilst the immediate focus of Etihad Stadium executives remains firmly on the present, Pep Guardiola and co continue to compete across domestic and European fronts, managing a demanding schedule while navigating injuries and rotation in key areas. Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are both unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Even so, City’s recruitment strategy has never been confined to short-term fixes. Instead, it operates on parallel tracks: sustaining elite performance now while quietly laying foundations for future cycles. That long-view approach has been central to the success of the City Football Group (CFG) model.

Over the past decade, City have increasingly leaned on data, scouting networks and sister clubs to identify talent before it reaches full market inflation. The objective is not simply acquisition but controlled development, with players progressing through tailored pathways rather than being thrust prematurely into the Premier League.

Within that structure, France has remained a fertile hunting ground. Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 continue to produce technically gifted, tactically adaptable players well suited to Guardiola’s principles. City’s relationship with clubs across Europe allows them to observe development closely, often from within the same ownership ecosystem.

Troyes, currently pushing strongly in Ligue 2, have become one of the most important pieces in that puzzle. Their promotion push has not only elevated the club’s profile but also shone a light on two academy products who are now drawing attention well beyond France.

That interest, however, is being carefully observed from Manchester. As reported by Graeme Bailey writing for TEAMtalk, Manchester City are assessing developments at sister club Troyes AC, where two exciting young French prospects are emerging.

City are keeping close tabs on Mathys Detourbet and Christ Batola, with long-term plans in place for both to head to England in the future. While their progress has been monitored for some time, sources indicate City’s interest has intensified significantly over the past six months.

Detourbet, an 18-year-old winger born in Troyes, has been one of Ligue 2’s standout young performers this season. He has registered five goal contributions from 21 appearances, helping push Troyes into promotion contention.

His blend of directness, technique, and decision-making has not gone unnoticed, with Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, and Monaco all keeping a watching brief. Despite that external interest, CFG are determined not to lose control of Detourbet’s pathway.

Troyes are keen to retain him at least until promotion is secured, and there is a strong belief internally that he will remain with the club next season if they return to Ligue 1. Beyond that, City view him as a long-term project rather than an immediate squad option.

Batola, meanwhile, is even younger but no less intriguing. The Paris-born striker is just 16 but has already made his first-team debut. His physical profile, movement, and composure in senior environments have marked him out as a player of exceptional potential.

City are impressed, though any move to England remains a distant prospect, with Batola ineligible to relocate until he turns 18 in 2028. The situation reflects a familiar City approach: patience over haste, structure over speculation.

Rather than rushing either player into an uncertain Premier League environment, City appear intent on allowing both to develop organically within a competitive but controlled setting. For Detourbet and Batola, the next steps remain rooted in France.

For City, the groundwork has already been laid. If their progress continues as expected, the Etihad may eventually become part of a carefully planned journey rather than an immediate destination.