Photo: Manchester City team shoot confirms FIVE academy players promoted

Manchester City have posted pictures from the first-team squad photo on their official Snapchat, and there are some interesting conclusions to be drawn from it.

No less than FIVE youth players were included in the shoot, all but confirming what had been suspected – that Pep Guardiola has promoted them to the first-team squad. They are goalkeeper Angus Gunn (20), centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo (18), left-back Angeliño (19), right-back Pablo Maffeo (19), and midfielder Aleix García (19).

Guardiola’s commitment to youth is well known and City’s academy is already providing him with some interesting options. Several have already made appearances this season and can expect more as the season progresses.

But while new faces emerge, there was one big name missing from the photo shoot, which could be telling. Yaya Touré, one of the most iconic and important players of City’s modern era, was conspicuous by his absence at the photo shoot. There could be a normal reason for that, but it has become clear that he isn’t a priority for Pep Guardiola, and his absence could be meaningful.