Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is delighted with the progress of their academy talent.

Guardiola admits their youth production is becoming more important given Financial Fair Play demands.

"We had that feeling, that academy players who grew up from there have something special that always works. Don't tell me why. It always works," he said.

"They know the reality, have been many times in Etihad, know the environment, the smell what happens in the club. They [adapt] quicker. Foreign players come, or other clubs, need time to adapt. Here, it's like they're home. They know the reactions of fans, feel comfortable, the way they have to play. It clicks quick. They believe they have something that belongs to me, it's mine, it's my home."

Guardiola also praised the club's academy staff.

"It's not about me. I take the incredible work for many hours of all the people of the academy," he admitted.

"Resilience, work ethic, arrive on time to the meetings, go to school, behave good, when the teachers come here arrive on time, make the right homework. This is when you become a better player and human being. 100 per cent. For sure. No secret about that.

"It is the dream for every club [to have seven or eight academy players in the first team]. Players who love the club and were born here. Sometimes is not possible. Because foreign players are so good. Erling Haaland is from Norway. We'd love to have Erling Haaland from the academy. Sometimes is not possible. You have to invest and have to buy players."