After beating Manchester United 6-0 last week, Manchester City under-21 coach Brian Barry-Murphy pointed to the number of international call-ups for the club's academy players as an indicator of their progress this season.
Will Dickson, who scored twice against United to continue a productive season, was namechecked as one of 21 City youngsters called up to their countries this month.
Such is the quality in City's academy, they have also had two players make senior international appearances, before even playing for the City first team.
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Under-21 captain Shea Charles took his fine form at youth level into the Northern Ireland squad, earning his fifth cap in the midfield in their 2-0 win over San Marino. It was the first time he's completed 90 minutes at senior level, and he is yet to make a senior debut for City despite a handful of squad appearances.
Charles spoke to MEN Sport earlier this season, describing the step up in quality at international level, and the unique situation he finds himself in with more international caps than club appearances.
Next up for Northern Ireland is Finland, where Charles could have come up against City teammate Tom Galvez, who is another to collect a first international cap before making a senior appearance at club level. Galvez has been in great form for City this season, although he has this time been included in the Finnish under-21 squad so will have to wait to add to his only full cap earned in January.
Also making his full international debut before playing for City is Alexander Robertson, who followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps to play for Australia this week. The midfielder has played at senior level on loan at Ross County last season, but is yet to play for City - although he has featured on the bench twice this season.
It's a growing trend for talented City players to be spotted by international managers at senior level, with the requirement to be playing for the Blues not as important as it may be for other nations with more competition. As long as they're playing regularly for the academy, their education at the City Football Academy is clearly being recognised at international level.
Also look at the ten City representatives in various under-21 squads this month, showing that the club is a go-to for the next generation of talent across Europe.
While the academy takes a week off, their coaches and decision-makers will be content that their work is being recognised at international level.
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