Manchester City's Elite Development Squad have won the Premier League 2 for the last two seasons, first under Enzo Maresca and then last year under Brian Barry-Murphy. As Pep Guardiola's first team strive for three in a row, what chance do the Under-21s have of continuing their streak?
"Yeah, that won't happen," the coach tells the Manchester Evening News . And, despite a hugely impressive 3-0 win over Liverpool in their opening game, you can see why he says it.
It has been a landmark summer for the academy, with numerous deals raising significant fees for the club that have helped contribute towards the evolution of the first team. Romeo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu have joined Southampton for eight-figure sums and plenty more have moved elsewhere after being recognised for their potential in a winning academy.
Also read: Inside the training camp where first team trio stunned Man City academy
Those that haven't moved permanently are still beyond youth football now. Cole Palmer was named the best player in the league two years ago as Liam Delap smashed the goalscoring record before James McAtee succeeded Palmer last season; Delap is set to follow McAtee out on loan while Palmer is so established in the first team he is not expected to play for the Under-21s again.
It isn't just those players but also ones who haven't had as high a profile but have still moved on; Kwaku Oduroh joined Derby in the summer while Luca Barrington has headed to Brighton a month after signing a professional deal at the club. While Rico Lewis and Josh Wilson-Esbrand may drop down from the first team to feature, the pool of players moving into the Under-21s from either the senior side or the Under-18s has considerably shrunk.
"I didn't really have any expectations about winning the league last year but all the players had their own journey and were all obsessed with either making an impression on the first team or getting a move on loan or securing a permanent transfer," said Barry-Murphy. "When I came into the building it was my first taste and you had this squad that had basically been through it all before with Enzo.
"It feels different this year. There was always a sense that those players would drop back but this season, it's hard to see any players dropping back. I do think the nature of this group is very different from being in the academy. You go 14, 15, 16, 18, here you go EDS and then you're either over with the first team, out on loan or elsewhere.
"It's a very transitional year and it is important that we provide a training programme that caters for all those needs. We've a lot of responsibility as staff to do that. Last year the reward was that really all members of the squad found that. The dressing room now is different and has to be different because they have to support each other - Kwaku Oduroh went to Dery and that's significant because the players feel responsibility to get him his next move.
"The McAtees are easier because they're going to attract a lot of attention anyway but the ones who are looking for the less-publicised ones are the ones that make a difference."
The lack of star names in the Under-21s this year gives the likes of Dire Mebude and Oscar Bobb the chance to step up and shine, building on promising campaigns last season. And the fact that 17-year-old Lewis has been bumped up to the first team highlights that opportunities are there for all given the thin nature of Guardiola's squad - the primary aim of anyone coming through.
All of the youngsters were shown a presentation this summer of last year's group at the beginning of their EDS journey and where they are now, with virtually everyone set to be playing first-team football somewhere this season. And if that wasn't enough of an incentive, they showed in the big win at Liverpool that the new group can enjoy surprising people if expectations are lower.
"For me, the challenge is even more exciting because you're going to say to the rest of the group 'we can achieve some really great things this season and surprise people because they're not expecting it from us'. There's a perception that the group has evolved naturally and Romeo has moved on and Darko [Gyabi] has moved on.
"It's going to be much more difficult from a results point of view, but that doesn't bother me at all because it is about how far we can take it from an individual point of view and how they improve. I've seen some really exciting signs in terms of the level of ability in this group.
"I think the fact they are not as well known is exciting because there is intrigue in how they will improve. I think the end result will be very exciting to see."
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