Is this Manuel Pellegrini’s way of saying he doesn’t care what happens in the rest of his Manchester City reign?
The Chilean manager will be replaced by Pep Guardiola in the summer, though the club are still fighting for honours on four fronts.
In what many considered an attempt to reduce this number to three, Pellegrini gave full debuts to no fewer than six youngsters in the FA Cup fifth round trip to Chelsea.
Congrats to our full debutants today @BersantCelina, @DavidFaups, @97_aleix, @TosinAdarabioyo & @Manugarcia_98. #mcfc #chelseavcity #facup
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2016
Some City fans were happy to see their youngsters given a chance
@MCFC so happy for all the debutants today! Needs must, but this is what our academy set out to do. Get in lads!! #proudsupport
— Jules (@julianulian) February 21, 2016
While others weren’t quite so delighted.
Hope it's not the case but these young City players could find themselves humiliated and that's not fair on Pellegrini's part
— Neil Custis (@ncustisTheSun) February 21, 2016
The upcoming game against Dynamo Kiev, followed by Sunday’s League Cup final, seem to have played a part
Pellegrini's interesting starting 11. But its the FA fault for not moving the game 3 matches this week, anyway come on City! #MCFC
— DJ (@THEDJDELANEY) February 21, 2016
Experts were doing some quick mental maths
The squad numbers of Man City's starting XI add up to 447. This must be some kind of record
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 21, 2016
We were told there were a few names to look out for
David Faupala, 19, who just equalised for Man City, is one of France's "hottest young talents." Joined on a free from Lens last summer.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 21, 2016
And they were on to something
CITY EQUALISE! 4 year old Faupala with the goal!
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) February 21, 2016
The youngsters might have run out of steam in the second half, but they gave a good account of themselves
Kelechi is just a natural star int he? Bet he was cock of the school aged 12
— KC (@Krap_Curl) February 21, 2016
Would not be surprised to see Adarabioyo around the City squad more often after today
— Harry (@itsHarryWills) February 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/City_Sean/status/701458445992595457
In fact, the biggest complaints were about the more experienced players
Says it all that we have five debutants and an average age of ten yet Caballero is still our weakest link. An atrocious keeper.
— Stephen Tudor (@SteTudor123) February 21, 2016
We surely haven’t seen the last of plenty of these City players, even if Chelsea had too much for them in the end.
