Asia awaits with opportunities for the Blues' academy talents
The Manchester City squad heads to Asia on Tuesday for a pre-season tour that will test Enzo Maresca's squad building ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. With several first-team stars resting after the 2026 World Cup, the trip offers a chance for younger players to make an impression. Three friendlies await — against Inter Milan, the K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid — and there is a specific gap to fill on the wing.
That vacancy could be seized by Divine Mukasa. The 19-year-old signed a contract extension until 2030 earlier this summer, having made six appearances for Pep Guardiola's side last season and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Leicester City. He showed flashes of his talent in the Championship and spent considerable time training with the first team last term. Mukasa is a supremely gifted technical player, versatile enough to play as a number ten, on either wing or as a false nine.
Another option is Ryan McAidoo. He made his senior appearances for City last season, featuring twice in the FA Cup run and scoring his first goal for the club. McAidoo typically operates on the right wing, which is exactly the area that needs reinforcing.
Then there is Claudio Echeverri. He never got a chance at Bayer Leverkusen in the first half of last season, but was used as an impact substitute at Girona for the second half. The Argentine might view this tour as a reset.
City also added Jeremy Monga from Leicester City earlier in the window. The 17-year-old winger has already played first-team football and is an electric player who can play on either wing or behind a striker. He'll travel with something to prove.
Maresca will assess a host of young and fringe players during the tour. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders need to find the right balance. For the youngsters, the timing could hardly be better.