Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook is adamant that despite the club's vast wealth, home grown talent from the Academy still has an important part to play. "The current first team coaching staff is very supportive of the academy," he told the club's official website. "Throughout last season the manager fielded a very strong core of Academy produced players including Nedum Onuoha, Micah Richards, and most notably our player of the year Stephen Ireland.

"Obviously, Shaun Wright-Phillips, another academy graduate, has also made an exciting return to the club. The under-21 European Championships showcased how talented some of our young players are."

"If a player is good enough he will always be in contention," he said.

"To challenge for honours we need a squad big enough to cope with the demands of the modern game and for that you need a blend of Academy players, combined with the purchase of developing talent and also established names those which are sometimes described as 'marquee signings'.

"Any club that is rebuilding like we are generates concerns on the Academy front but we have the kids close to our heart and we will not let our Academy go off track.

"To be contending a top four club you need players who are experienced at playing at the highest level, and internationals and academy players.

"If we go into the season with our plans in tact we will have more than 30% of the playing squad registered for the Premier League who have come through as home grown players."