The route to the top can seem relatively straightforward for the star pupils of Manchester City's academy.
On Monday, Cole Palmer banged in another four goals for Chelsea as he continued to make his £42.5million summer move from City look like one of the bargains of the season.
On Tuesday, Jadon Sancho - finally flourishing in exile from Manchester United back at Borussia Dortmund - was celebrating reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.
On Wednesday, Phil Foden narrowly failed to join him despite converting in City's penalty shootout defeat by a Real Madrid side that featured Brahim Diaz, missing out on the semis for the first time in four years.