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Manchester City spent the majority of their time under the shadow of their neighbors Manchester United. The Sky Blue outfit didn't achieve much glory until the late 2000s.
However, things took a massive turn in a positive way for Etihad residents in 2008. They were bought by owners from the Abu Dhabi Group and have secured five Premier League titles since then.
Having Pep Guardiola at the helm has helped the club reach new heights and become a force to be reckoned with.
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Today, the seven-time champions (5 EPL and 2 First League titles) boast immense squad depth and house some of the finest players in the world. Manchester City is a tough place to be when it comes to youngsters, as the pressure on them to develop is massive.
On the same note, let's take a look at five youngsters who marked their debut with City at a tender age.
#5 Rony Lopes — 17 years 08 days
Rony Lopes was the youngster who created quite an impressive stir within the ranks of Manchester City's youth setup. His heroics won him the inaugural Manchester City Academy Player of the Year award in 2013.
Starting off his career as a boy at Benfica, the Portuguese international earned enough credit to be drafted by the Sky Blues. Rony Lopes' inclusion in Manchester City's pre-season campaign was predicted by none.
He made his competitive debut the following year against Watford in the FA Cup. He scored a goal in the dying minutes and thus became City's youngest ever goalscorer.
#4 Tommy Caton — 16 years 11 months 23 days
Tommy Caton's potentially successful career was marred by injuries, health issues and, eventually a premature death. Caton was a prominent player and the captain of the England Schoolboys. The England Schoolboys were the governing body that worked together with the FA to find the best players at school level.
A series of impressive performances helped Caton earn an invitation to Manchester City. By the age of 16, Tommy Caton had become a regular member of the City squad and played alongside the team in many crucial matches.
Caton was the youngest player to reach 100 First Division games. He achieved the feat on 6th March 1982 at the age of 19 years and 5 months. Caton moved to Arsenal in 1983 and later also played for Oxford United and Charlton Athletic.
#3 Karim Rekik — 16 years 09 months 19 days
In 2011, Manchester City and Feyenoord had to go through a few red tapes to settle a deal for Karim Rekik. The 15-year-old was a hot property on Manchester City's wishlist. However, the Dutch team wasn't ready to let go of one of their finest gems.
Eventually, the versatile defender joined Cityzens with hopes of a bright future. He made an unofficial debut in Manchester City's 2011 pre-season outing. Karim Rekik's official debut was marked against Birmingham City in the third round of the League Cup (now EFL).
Rekik continued to impress and eventually earned a senior team contract. Nevertheless, immense competition from senior players in his desired positions meant Rekik had to settle for bench-warming. He moved around in various loan spells for more playing minutes.
After signing for Marseille and then Hertha, Rekik became a Sevilla player in 2020.
#2 Paul Simpson — 16 years 02 months 06 days
Paul Simpson came under the limelight in the modern era after taking charge as England U20 coach in 2017. However, if we roll back a few years, we could also learn that Paul Simpson was the Cityzens' second-ever youngest debutant.
Aged 16, Simpson appeared for the first time in the City kit in a 3–2 win against Coventry City. The event took place on 2 October 1982. Following the team's relegation the same year, the winger was sent out on loan.
He returned as a much more experienced and complete player. Paul Simpson took no time to cement his position at Maine Road. He left City in 1988 for Oxford United.
#1 Glyn Pardoe — 15 years 10 months 16 days
Glyn Pardoe spent his entire playing career with just one club. Between 1962 and 1976, Pardoe remained a crucial player within the ranks of the club. It all started in 1962 when a 15-year-old Glyn Pardoe was approached by Everton and Manchester City.
At the age of 15 years and 314 days, Pardoe made his first team debut. It came in April 1962 against Birmingham City and he became the youngest ever player to feature for Man City. Even today, the record stands.
His services were demanded by the senior and youth teams. Glyn shuffled between both the sides and thus, his reputation within the club and England kept growing. The versatile defender faced a horrendous injury in 1970 and spent another two years in recovery.
He returned in 1972 and retired four years later.
