We're just three days away from Manchester City's first game of the 2022/23 campaign - a friendly against Club América in the United States.
Ahead of such a hectic season, preparations to defend their Premier League crown are already underway and two games across the pond will give Pep Guardiola a chance to assess his squad and build valuable fitness ahead of the annual Community Shield curtain raiser in a fortnights' time.
Alongside some first-team stars, the Catalan has supplemented his travelling squad with a crop of youth talent. Amongst them are the more established Liam Delap and James McAtee, but there are a few interesting names that could get a chance to impress. Here are five names to look out for:
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Luke Mbete
Maybe now more than ever, the towering central defender is one to keep a very keen eye on. He recently signed a three-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium and the management clearly have faith that he can develop into a regular first-team starter.
He made his senior City debut last season and went on to also make appearances in the FA Cup and Champions League. Openly admitting to modelling his game on Vincent Kompany, Mbete has the tough task of displacing four world-class options in central defence - but it is a challenge he certainly will not shy away from.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand
With Oleksandr Zinchenko linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, pre-season could be the perfect chance for Wilson-Esbrand to show Guardiola that he does not need to sign a replacement if the Ukrainian departs.
Also making his senior debut last season, the left-back bagged his first professional assist and showed glimpses of what he could do against Wycombe Wanderers.
Injuries have made it tough for him to come back and feature more frequently, but he is certainly a player Guardiola will be monitoring very carefully.
Oscar Bobb
The Norwegian is earning rave reviews in the youth set-up and could now learn a thing or two from his fellow countryman, Erling Haaland.
Bobb signed a contract extension earlier last season and will remain in Sky Blue until at least 2026. However, his rapid development is exciting supporters and games against Club América and Bayern Munich will give an opportunity for him to display his talents to the world.
Rico Lewis
With Kyle Walker approaching the twilight of his stellar career, Rico Lewis' development is one to monitor with close attention. City are seemingly in the market for a left-back, but right-back will surely become a focus sooner rather than later.
Coming through the academy ranks since he was eight years old, Lewis is a natural right-back, but has also been used in defensive midfield for various successful EDS age groups.
Ben Knight
Knight is a player we have not seen much of since bursting onto the scene last pre-season. His successive goals earned him a start against Leicester City in the Community Shield, but his loan move to Crewe - and subsequent injury - has stunted his development slightly.
He'll be hoping to get back into the swing of things and impress Guardiola once again in the next couple of weeks, but is likely to go back out on loan next season.
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