Ben Wilkinson says City’s Elite Development Squad are heading in the ‘right direction’ following a promising start to the 2024/25 season.
Having won three of the last four Premier League 2 titles, our youngsters entered the new campaign looking to build on last term’s 16th-place finish.
Although we suffered a narrow defeat to Liverpool on the opening day, we’ve responded excellently since to extinguish the disappointment from the loss on Merseyside.
That started with a draw with Chesterfield in the EFL Trophy before superb PL2 wins over Derby (3-2) and Everton (5-0).
And Wilkinson admitted he anticipated a tough start to the season, but says he’s pleased with the progress his side is starting to make.
“For us as staff, we always knew in that sort of first week a bit of context was probably required,” he explained.
“Going to Liverpool we had six, seven players in the team who hadn’t played 90 minutes yet.
“This last couple of weeks has been like a preseason for us because of the nature of the preseason the players had.
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“Albeit we were still disappointed with how we played at Liverpool and there was a lot of room for improvement. I think these first couple of weeks for us could have been tricky because of where we were at.
“So, I think certainly from the second half against Derby, the performance at Chesterfield and the performance against Everton, we’re definitely heading in the right direction.
“We know we have good players and we’re capable of playing good football. But aligning everything I think is the biggest challenge we’ve had.”
After first joining Manchester City as EDS assistant head coach before being named Under-16s lead coach, Wilkinson took charge of our Under-18s in the summer of 2021.
Under his leadership, our youngsters won three straight Premier League North and National titles and lifted the FA Youth Cup in 2024.
After Brian Barry-Murphy’s departure from the EDS dugout this summer, Wilkinson then stepped up to the role after his illustrious spell with the age group below.
And the 37-year-old revealed he’s made the transition smoothly with the help of his players.
He added: “[I’ve found the step up] relatively seamless.
“I think the beauty of it is I’ve worked with every single player in the squad from between one, two to four years.
“From that point of view [it’s been] no problem at all. The players know what I want, I know what the players’ strengths and weaknesses are. So [it’s been] pretty good.
“Obviously aligning to a new schedule and a new relationships with the Under-18s and first-team, things like that [is new].
Tony Book at 90: What’s coming up to celebrate Skip’s special birthday
Book is an iconic figure in the history of Manchester City and it’s only right we celebrate him on this landmark occasion.
He captained the Blues to the League Championship, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup and all in the space of three glorious years.
He went on to manage City’s first team for five years, leading us to the League Cup which meant he became the first man to win the competition as both a player and a manager.
Skip then went on to hold several other positions in subsequent years, including looking after flourishing starlets like Paul Lake, David White and Ian Brightwell as City won the FA Youth Cup.
He’s now Honorary President and Life President of our Official Supporters Club.
On Wednesday from 08:00 (UK), to mark the milestone day, you can enjoy:
Tony Book special feature
In a long read, entitled ‘City’s Book of Ages’, we examine the life and times of Tony Book at his beloved Blues.
Mike Summerbee interview
Our Club Ambassador talks of Tony Book’s importance to Manchester City.
Picture gallery
We’ve delved into our archives to bring you some terrific images of Tony Book’s memorable moments at Manchester City.
Mr Manchester City
In a heartfelt video collage, Joe Corrigan, David White, Alex Williams and Ian Brightwell give their verdict on the iconic Tony Book.
Peter Barnes interview
Our former flying winger offers a heartfelt story showcasing Tony Book’s colossal character.
Neil Lennon interview
Our former youth player explains the influence of Tony Book in his formative years learning his trade.
Look out for this content in the morning as we celebrate the life and times of the one and only Tony Book!
Love This City: Ian and Evelyn Shaw
I really remember watching the 1999 play-off final against Gillingham and being hooked from that point on.
My family are reds, so it was mainly mates at school that influenced me to be a City fan instead. I got my first season ticket in 2004/05 for Stuart Pearce’s full season.
We weren’t the City we are now but, with my mate Ste, I absolutely loved going to the games.
I saw us through the Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini years when we played some of the best football I’ve ever seen.
Yaya Toure was my favourite player in that era, he was just a Rolls Royce of a midfielder who could win a game at any moment. I’ve never seen anyone dominate the pitch like he did.
93:20 was such an incredible day and rollercoaster of emotions. It was one of the best days of my life and will always be that way.
Just like beating Stoke in the FA Cup final the year before, that made us all believe it was possible that we could go on and become the club we have.
I kept that season ticket until 2015/16 and then I moved out to Perth so I had to give it up. I love my life in Australia but that matchday atmosphere at the Etihad and Mary D’s is something I really do miss.
I’m so proud now to see Evelyn wearing a City shirt and loving football. Her favourite player is Chloe Kelly, who we were so happy to meet at an event during the tour.
Evelyn’s a striker too and she loves to assist, so that’s why she loves to watch Chloe Kelly play.
If it’s early enough, we watch the games together but I definitely never miss a game from home, no matter what time it is in Australia.
I’ve been to Official Supporters Club events too and there are a lot of British expats here in Perth.
Football is the most played sport in Australia now, even though AFL, cricket and rugby get more coverage.
To see Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy over here and wearing City shirts makes me proud to have been a lifelong City fan.
I’m definitely seeing our shirts out and about more and the atmosphere at the games at HBF Park has been so inclusive, it’s a great experience for Evelyn and lots of young girls who love playing football over here.
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