Manchester City NextGen preview: Five players to watch

Here are five of Manchester City's youngsters to keep an eye on as they take on PSG in the opening game of their 2012-13 NextGen Series campaign.

Manchester City kick-start their NextGen campaign later today with a tough looking game against Paris Saint-Germain. With both teams now the financial powerhouses when it comes to expendable transfer money in world football, an interesting subplot is provided in seeing how well the youngsters at the club are developing and where the future lies.

As for City, they will want to improve on their woeful performance in last year’s competition where they finished below Barcelona, Marseille and Celtic in their Group on a dismal 0 points. Not to mention that but possibly their star player from last season’s campaign Juan Roman Angel has joined Barcelona whilst another hot prospect Harry Bunn is on loan at Crewe until January; nonetheless they have talent

Here are 5 of their star’s to keep an eye on...

Karim Rekik

The highly rated Dutch defender already has 2 senior appearances to his name against Birmingham and Wolves in the League Cup. A youth team international for The Netherlands he spent a large chunk of last season on loan at Portsmouth, where he was unsuccessful in saving them from relegation. The experience he gained will be valuable as he was a regular starter in Michael Appleton’s Pompey side and he will likely captain the NextGen squad again this season.

Denis Suarez

Compared to David Silva in playing style the Spaniard turned down Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona to join up with City from Celta Vigo in 2011. He has since gone on to cement himself in the reserve team and is considered one of their brightest prospects. This summer he was an integral part of Spain’s Under-19 European Championship triumph.

He has however been linked with a loan move to Dutch side Feyenoord.

Devante Cole

The son of former Manchester United hero Andrew, Devante shares similar traits with his old man. A naturally gifted finisher with a good footballing brain he has scored goals at international level for England and looks like following in the footsteps of his Dad by forging a successful professional football career.

Albert Rusnak

When you hear him speak it is hard to believe he is a Slovakia youth international. After moving over to Manchester as a youngster from his homeland he has picked up a strong Manc accent but it might be helping him on the pitch as he develops at an incredible rate. An attacking minded midfielder with a bag of tricks and an eye for the incisive pass he is a real must watch in the NextGen campaign.

Alex Henshall

Signed from Swindon in 2010 after making 2 sub appearances for The Robins; Henshall has established himself in City’s youth squads. An English youth international he started the year by being named on Stuart Pearce’s original shortlist for the 2012 Olympic Games and the winger will hope to stand out in the NextGen Series.

Kieran Kennedy is another player with a bright future whilst it will be good to see April’s Austrian arrival Sinan Bytyqi in full flow.

City will want to get off to a flying start tonight and we will bring you news of the game tomorrow...

Mathew Nash

@hitcmathewnash Google+more stories from Mathew Nash

I’m Mathew Nash a 23 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.