Manchester City’s quest for a fifth successive Premier League title is in disarray after a dismal run.
To rub salt in City’s wounds, several players who they helped develop before moving on are shining away from the turmoil at the Etihad Stadium.
Mail Sport picks a team of stars who left City in search of first-team football and are reaping the rewards.
James Trafford (Burnley)
Never made a senior appearance for City but can say he once saved a Pep Guardiola penalty in training. Was sold to Burnley in 2023 in a deal worth up to £19m and has shown he will go on to have a solid career. Recently received a senior England call-up.
Sold for: £19m (2023)
Now worth: £15m (according to Transfermarkt.co.uk)
Goalkeeper James Trafford made the switch to Burnley for £19million in 2023
Jeremie Frimpong (Leverkusen)
Was sold to Celtic in 2019 for just £350,000 after being told he had no future at the club despite coming through City’s academy. Has taken a winding road back to the top but is now, at 24, one of Europe’s most dynamic full backs after thriving under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
Sold for: £350k (2019)
Now worth: £41.5m
Right-back Jeremie Frimpong is thriving under Xabi Alonso’s guidance at Bayer Leverkusen
Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea)
Started out at City aged six and won rave reviews from academy coaches, only to end up leaving for Fulham in a deal worth up to £2m when he had only 12 months left on his contract. Made only eight appearances for City’s first team before he was shunted out on loan.
Sold for: £2m (2020)
Now worth: £16.6m
Tosin Adarabioyo played eight times for City’s first-team and is now at Chelsea
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton)
Was sent on loan to Southampton before joining in a £20m deal. The Stockport-born centre back featured in 505 minutes of action for City’s first team and looks like a player that would help them significantly now.
Sold for: £20m (2024)
Now worth: £20.7m
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who is at Southampton, would be of benefit to the City team now
Angelino (Roma)
Arrived at City in 2013 and initially was part of their Under 18s side, taking three years to get his shot at the first team. He was sold to PSV Eindhoven in 2018 before City activated their buy-back clause in 2019. But after 15 appearances he was loaned and then sold to RB Leipzig.
Sold for: £5m (2018), bought back for £5.3m (2019) and sold again for £16m (2021)
Now worth: £6.6m
City exercised their buy-back clause for Angelino before selling him to RB Leipzig
Romeo Lavia (Chelsea)
Headed to City’s academy set-up from Anderlecht in 2020 and former City defender Vincent Kompany said Lavia was ‘what Pep Guardiola is looking for’ in a player. Played twice for City before they sold him to Southampton in a deal worth £10m.
Sold for: £10m (2022)
Now worth: £33.2m
Regarded as an excellent prospect when he was at City, Lavia is now impressing for Chelsea
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
The one true superstar City have let slip through their grasp. Starred in the academy but only made three Premier League starts by the time he was sold to Chelsea aged 21 for £42.5m on deadline day last year. Now one of the leading lights in England’s top flight.
Sold for: £42.5m (2023)
Now worth: £108m
The one that got away for City – Cole Palmer has thrived since he signed for Chelsea
Jamie Gittens (Dortmund)
Was widely viewed as one of the best prospects in academy football when City lost him to Borussia Dortmund at the age of 16. Joined two years prior from Reading but he was heavily influenced by the path taken by Jadon Sancho in moving to the Bundesliga.
Sold for: £90k (2022)
Now worth: £41.5m
Jamie Gittens was rated highly at City and has gone on to impress for Borussia Dortmund
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
A product of West Brom’s academy, he was picked up by City aged 17 after impressing against them in the FA Youth Cup. Went on various loan spells before City sold him to Middlesbrough for a nominal amount. Pep Guardiola recently admitted timing got in the way of Rogers getting a fair shot at City.
Sold for: £1.2m (2023)
Now worth: £33.2m
Morgan Rogers was unable to make the breakthrough at City but is excelling for Aston Villa
Jadon Sancho (Chelsea)
Came through as one of the gems of their academy but never made a first team appearance before taking his talents to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 2017. He pushed to leave City and later moved back to Manchester with United in a £73m deal. Now on loan at Chelsea.
Sold for: £8m (2017)
Now worth: £25m
Once one of the gems of City’s academy, Sancho is now on loan at Chelsea from Man United
Liam Delap (Ipswich)
The striker had loan spells at Stoke, Preston and Hull before being sold to Ipswich for £20m last summer. Has scored six Premier League goals so far. City, however, do have a buy-back clause.
Sold for: £20m (2024)
Now worth: £20.8m
After various loan spells, Liam Delap left CIty permanently ass he signed for Ipswich Town
APPROX VALUE NOW: £362.1m
