The policy of only allowing black boots is part of the Blues' mantra of ensuring that their players are level-headed as well as talented and technically excellent.
And that forms a key element in a youth strategy which the head of academy coaching Jason Wilcox feels will end up leaving first team manager Pep Guardiola “spoilt for choice” in terms of young stars.
City have had some spectacular successes in the youth ranks in recent years, and are now starting to see those green shoots blossom in the first team, with Kelechi Iheanacho , Aleix Garcia , Tosin Adarabioyo , Angelino, Pablo Maffeo and Angus Gunn now part of the first team set-up.But the feeling within the club is that the recruitment and coaching policy will only truly start to have an effect in the next few years.
“I’m not someone who gets carried away, but I have never seen anything like the talent we have at this Academy,” Wilcox told the Mirror .
“We have got kids here who are at a level that is just mind-blowing. It makes me hope that I am working here for the next ten years.
“We want Pep Guardiola to be spoilt for choice – and we are getting there.
“Our aim is to have a first-team squad packed with players from our Academy. Not only that, it would also be great to get some Mancunian blood into the team.”
But City also see their role as being as much about personal development as football excellence – and the coloured boots ban forms part of that.Said Wilcox: “There is nothing worse for me than to see a high-profile footballer who has no manners or respect for other people.
“Yes, you do have to be single-minded, but you can still be respectful to others.
“It doesn’t matter whether a boy is speaking to one of the cleaning ladies or the CEO, we demand that they show respect.
“We want people to represent Manchester City the right way – not just in a sky-blue shirt, but when they are away from the club as well.”
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