It's rare that Manchester City get it wrong in the transfer market these days, and that assessment is becoming increasingly true of their loan dealings, too.
With so many talented youngsters at the club, City have turned to the loan market more and more in recent years, with the opportunity for players to get real senior experience at a good level. Whether the goal of each move is to get a player experience for a future career at City, or to increase their value for a sale, the club are developing a solid record for finding the right club for the right player.
City have sent five players out to League One this season, and four of those can be considered successful. Two players have earned 'Player of the Season' awards, while another is now preparing for a play-off campaign. We've looked at the progress of the players in question after League One's regular season concluded this weekend.
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Gavin Bazunu
Ambitious City keeper Bazunu has been making plenty of headlines down in Portsmouth with his impressive form and some big predictions from Pompey manager Danny Cowley. Coupled with some good form for the Republic of Ireland, Bazunu has really come on this season after a promising spell at Rochdale last year, and he kept 17 clean sheets in 46 appearances in total.
Portsmouth have made no secret of their desire to keep Bazunu, although that may be unlikely given their failure to earn promotion. Yet it says plenty that Bazunu was named Fans' Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year at Portsmouth's end-of-season awards.
“I want to play football at the highest level, but don’t look too far ahead. I’ll just take it one day at a time and see where it takes me," Bazunu said of his own future. "I have a massive respect for this squad and how they’ve welcomed me. It’s a great group of lads to play with.”
James Trafford
After a loan at Accrington didn't go quite to plan in the first half of the season, popular goalkeeper Trafford found a home at Bolton in January and quickly made up for lost time with four clean sheets in his first four games.
The 19-year-old, who is another with ambitions to make the grade at City, kept seven clean sheets in 22 appearances for Bolton, even chipping in with two assists. He certainly showed his readiness for League football and may look to kick on with another loan next year as Bazunu did.
Lewis Fiorini
After a strong first loan out of City last year at NAC Breda, Fiorini spent the season at Lincoln after Morgan Rogers' successful spell at Sincil Bank this time last year. The Scottish U21 international has enjoyed himself in League One, earning the Imps' Young Player of the Year award on the back of his six goals and five assists from midfield.
With some eye-catching goals and passes likened to Kevin De Bruyne going around social media over the course of the season, Fiorini has certainly got the taste for playing regularly and will be eyeing the same thing next season - possibly even at a higher level.
Ben Knight
The season started so well for attacking midfielder Knight at Crewe after playing at Wembley for City in the Community Shield. He scored his first senior goal in the EFL Trophy and started his first three League One games and also against Leeds at Elland Road in the Carabao Cup, but then missed 11 games with a knee injury.
Five appearances would follow in the new year, including another goal and two assists, but an injury setback followed to rule him out for the season. He has since posted updates of himself running back at City, and will look to make up for lost time next season. Without him, Crewe were relegated in bottom place.
Callum Doyle
Eighteen-year-old defender Doyle has gained plenty of plaudits for his mature performances at Sunderland all season, being a regular for the Black Cats until February. Manager Lee Johnson was sacked in January, though, and Doyle has started just two of the final 12 League One games under new boss Alex Neil.
Sunderland have a play-off semi-final with Sheffield Wednesday to prepare for, so there is still chance for Doyle to play a starring role in their season. Promotion may be their best chance of keeping him next season, too, with reviews of his performances suggesting he would be worthy of a step up next year.
