Boss Carsley orders boy Blues NOT to pull their socks up...
CITY’S FA Youth Cup finalists have been banned from doing a ‘John Terry.’
City’s latest generation of starlets face Chelsea tonight with the tie poised at 1-1 after the first leg.
The club’s academy has built up a reputation as one of the finest in Europe since opening their Etihad Campus in 2014.
And their success at youth level - this is their third straight final - is down in part to strict guidelines.
Certain age groups are only permitted to wear black boots. And the under-18s are banned from pulling their socks above their knees - a move favoured by former England captain Terry.
Coach Lee Carsley said: “It’s just all the little standards putting your plate away at dinner, shaking hands with the coach.
“Little things like not pulling your socks over your knees, making sure you’ve got the right kit on, turning up on time.
“I don’t know what the reason is to pull the socks over your knees.
“It’s almost like: ‘Don’t be silly. John Terry can do it that’s fine - but just pull your socks down, look normal.’”
Carsley is convinced he is overseeing a group that will make the breakthrough to City’s first team - but insists the club are determined to keep the players grounded at an early age.
He added: “You do (need arrogance), but it doesn’t need to be the kind of arrogance where you’re coming in, in your new car, with the windows down, stepping out in your sunglasses like Puff Daddy. I think it’s that inner arrogance. That inner determination that all players do have.”