Another season, another long list of Manchester City players out on loan at various clubs around the world.
City have successfully utilised the loan market in recent years, either to give exposure to players within their City Football Group portfolio to then sell for profit, or to provide young talents with valuable experience to give them the best chance of making the grade at the Etihad.
Among the players earmarked for a future at City, or at least with long-term contracts at the club, are Tommy Doyle, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Yan Couto, who are all experiencing different leagues at a crucial stage of their development, having shown they are too good for academy football.
That is also the case for others, like Claudio Gomes, Ben Knight and Lewis Fiorini, who are all stepping up their development in the EFL.
City have three players on loan at sister club Troyes, two at Lommel, and one at Girona, while they have contacts at other clubs who have taken on loanees this season – to varying degrees of success.
As the November international break is upon us, we’ve looked at how some of the more recognisable City loanees are faring this season:
Tommy Doyle – Hamburg
City midfielder and academy captain Doyle made the switch to the 2.Bundesliga this season to experience a new league and a new culture. He’s taken time to get into the team, with the Hamburg coaches keen to let him settle in.
An assist for a comical own-goal in the draw against Erzgebirge in October announced him onto the scene, and he scored a brilliant late winner against Paderborn a fortnight later. He’s yet to start in the league, but has six appearances in total and will be looking to kick on after he returns from England U21 duty.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – Anderlecht
Under the expert instruction of Vincent Kompany, Harwood-Bellis is getting the regular football he wanted after last season’s impressive spell at Blackburn.
The England U21 international has 16 appearances this season, 15 being starts, and he has been in the starting XI for the last ten games for Anderlecht. Despite only registering two clean sheets in that time, Harwood-Bellis is contributing in the opposition box with two assists to his name already.
Yan Couto – Braga
Brazilian full-back Couto was involved with City for pre-season, and has since joined Braga for the season. Predominantly featuring at right-back, but also being used at right-midfield, Couto has played in 12 of Braga’s 14 games this season including three Europa League group fixtures.
With two assists, Couto will be looking to kick on and improve his attacking output as the season goes on.
Claudio Gomes – Barnsley
It took some time for Gomes to fully establish himself in Barnsley’s side, but he has played in their last six league games at either defensive midfield or central midfield.
His first real exposure to English football hasn’t been too successful just yet, with just one win from ten appearances, as Tykes boss Markus Schopp was sacked last week. Gomes will hope whoever replaces him continues to trust him with minutes in midfield as their fortunes improve.
Morgan Rogers – Bournemouth
Rogers can join Bournemouth permanently at the end of his loan, but for now remains a City player. With competition in the Cherries’ attack as Scott Parker’s side are chasing promotion back to the Premier League, Rogers has only started once in the Championship so far.
Averaging just 22 minutes per his 11 appearances, it’s understandable that Rogers is yet to get off the mark for his loan club, but he has scored on international duty for England under-20s.
Gavin Bazunu – Portsmouth
The Irish international made headlines for stopping a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty earlier in the season, and he is quietly making a name for himself in League One after becoming Portsmouth’s number one.
With six clean sheets in 16 outings, the 19-year-old is learning through regular games and will hope to help Pompey climb the table as they find themselves 14th after 16 games.
Ben Knight – Crewe
The confident attacking midfielder started the season as first choice for Crewe, but missed the next ten games with a knee problem. He is now slowly returning, and will look to build on his seven appearances so far.
Knight, 19, netted his first senior goal in the EFL Trophy at Shrewsbury, and Crewe will hope his return coincides with an upturn in fortunes – they are bottom of League One.
Lewis Fiorini – Lincoln
Another League One loanee, Fiorini has established himself as a regular for Lincoln after an eye-catching spell at NAC Breda last season.
The Scottish U21 international has three goals in 17 outings from a range of positions from central midfield, to right wing, and centre-forward. His knack for scoring impressive goals has followed him from Holland to Lincolnshire.
James Trafford – Accrington
Goalkeeper Trafford began the season as Accrington’s number one, but has found himself on the bench in recent games following a three game run where Stanley conceded 12 goals.
Matt Smith – Hull
Moving back up to the Championship, Wales international Smith has struggled with fitness issues in recent weeks after featuring in each of Hull’s first nine league games.
On the back of that, he wasn’t included in the Wales squad for this month’s internationals.
Philippe Sandler – Troyes
Centre-back Sandler joined sister club Troyes to get some regular game time after an injury-interrupted previous year, but the Dutchman has made just two appearances before picking up a thigh injury and he hasn’t featured since September.
Patrick Roberts – Troyes
Another Troyes loanee, Roberts’ contract at City expires at the end of the season and it would be a surprise if it’s extended. This looks like being another frustrating loan, as Roberts has just one appearance to his name, not making a matchday squad in the same time Sandler has missed.
Issa Kabore – Troyes
Finally, a City loanee who is featuring for Troyes, as right-back Issa Kabore is one of their regulars on the right flank. Recovering from a red card in his second game, Kabore, 20, has played in every game available for the Ligue 1 side.
Diego Rosa – Lommel
Midfielder Rosa was involved with City’s pre-season over the summer before returning to Belgium, where he has made 12 appearances, scoring once and assisting twice.
City made a point of requesting he spend pre-season in Manchester, and when Ederson and Gabriel Jesus travelled straight to Belgium last month from international duty for the Club Brugge game, they were pictured with fellow Brazilian Rosa on their visit to Lommel.
Daniel Arzani – Lommel
Forgotten winger Arzani, who has had a nightmare few years with injury, finally looks to be getting some game time under his belt, playing nine times for Lommel.
The 22-year-old is another out of contract at City at the end of the season, and an extension would be unexpected.
Filip Stevanovic – Heerenveen
Confident winger Stevanovic is getting a chance to impress in Holland after a disappointing return to Partizan Belgrade following his permanent transfer to City.
Playing on either wing, Stevanovic has a goal and assist to show for his nine appearances so far this season.
Pablo Moreno – Girona
Moreno was a fixture for City in pre-season as other forwards were late returning, and the striker was then sent to Girona. The Spaniard has one goal from five substitute appearances and one start so far this season.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
