Former Manchester City youth coach Steve Eyre says they always rated Phil Foden ahead of Jadon Sancho inside the club's academy.
Sancho, 20, has emerged as one of the best talents in the world at Borussia Dortmund, and is now being linked with a big-money move back to the Premier League.
While Foden, also 20, is still trying to break through in the City first team, but has shown glimpses of real class when showcased.
Eyre told talkSPORT: “I think he [Sancho] has had to develop a little bit later. They both had impatient ambition but Phil was happy to stay in England at the club that he loves.
“You have to respect Jadon Sancho for his impatient ambition and his will to go and create his own development path at the second best team in German football at Borussia Dortmund.
“His development has probably been worked on more than Foden, who has the best natural talent I have ever seen.
“Sancho had to leave this country to get more TV attention and more 90 minute matches under his belt – but Phil's talent was clearer from a younger age."