Man City youngsters find first-team path blocked despite thriving academy

Several academy graduates have been named as substitutes this season, but very few have seen action and there is a feeling they are merely making up the numbers, writes Sam Lee.

"My favorite and proudest moment at this club was seeing Manu Garcia play with the first-team against Crystal Palace and to score a goal," Patrick Vieira said after his final game in charge of Manchester City's Elite Development Squad this week. "My proudest moments are looking at a first-team teamsheet and seeing three or four players from the EDS there."

Vieira, who will start his new role as New York City FC head coach on Jan. 1, must have been very proud indeed this season. Garcia has been joined in the senior…