Khaldoon star trek for Next Generation as City take on Barcelona

Posted Thursday, September 15, 2011 by

During a rare lunch with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak last season, it became clear just how exacting the standards of those running the world's richest club can be.

Talking about a youth system that had brought dozens of players through to the fringes of the club's first team over the past decade, it was surprising to learn that Khaldoon was not particularly impressed with the results.

How many of those players, he asked, could stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi at Barcelona?

Khaldoon star trek for Next Generation as City take on Barcelona
On view: Alex Henshall out to enhance a growing reputation

On Thursday night at Hyde United's ground, the early stages of City's attempt to nurture the best young players in Europe will be evident as the club's Elite Development Squad take on Barcelona in the first group game of the NextGen series.

The concept of the tournament is simple. The best young players from some of Europe's top clubs face each other in what is effectively a Champions League for up-and-coming talent.

City's team will feature Denis Suarez - a Spanish attacking midfielder - Dutch central defender Karin Rekik, 16, and an Italian striker called Luca Scapuzzi, who is 20.

While the club insist they remain committed to finding the best British talent - England Under 16 winger Alex Henshall may play - it is clear that under Abu Dhabi ownership the net has been cast wide to find the best.

Rekik was signed from Feyenoord, while Scapuzzi came from AC Milan's academy.

This is how it has been at clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea for some time.

City - as is often the case - are catching up quickly.

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Wolfsburg at Anfield on Wednesday night thanks to a late equaliser from Hungarian striker Kistian Adorjan, 18.