Goal takes a look at the brightest prospects coming through the ranks of the Premier League leaders

FIFA.com/GettyPhil Foden

The brightest prospect in the City academy and already a member of Pep Guardiola’s senior squad at just 17. Blessed with excellent technique, skills and an eye for a pass, he already has three senior appearances under his belt. Guardiola recently praised his willingness to attack – even as his older team-mates shirked responsibility. Was named the best player at the U17 World Cup after scoring twice in the final against Spain to help England win their first title at that age-group. Has three senior City starts to his name.

Getty ImagesBrahim Diaz

Only slightly behind Foden in the pecking order and another first-team squad member at 18 years old. Brahim is another No.10 but has been deployed out wide by Guardiola this season. Very quick off the mark, a good dribbler, and has improved almost with every outing this season, usually off the bench. Signed from Malaga despite Barcelona’s attempts to lure him, Guardiola showed the youngster around the Catalan club’s historic Camp Nou stadium while he was their coach.

Getty ImagesLukas Nmecha

Close to the first-team picture, especially as City contended with injuries in January, Nmecha is unlikely to get a permanent promotion just yet. A tall, powerful striker who joined the club as a nine-year-old, he scored the winning penalty for City’s first team in the Carabao Cup shoot-out against Leicester City in December. His younger brother, Felix, is also on the books and both played together, and scored shoot-out penalties, in the recent UEFA Youth League quarter-final victory against Liverpool.

Manchester CityNabil Touaizi Signed from Valencia for €300,000 compensation at the start of 2017, Touaizi is rated as one of the hottest prospects in the City academy. The 17-year-old forward scored more than 70 goals in two years at Valencia and although all City youth teams play against older age-groups, Blues coaches had no qualms about involving the then 16-year-old in last season's U19 UEFA Youth League campaign. Eligible to play for Spain and Morocco, Touaizi is both tall and fast, able to hold the ball up as a target man.