Four Blues startlets are going for gold in awards

FOUR City youngsters have been nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy award.

England under-17 star Phil Foden, Spanish youngster Brahim Diaz and striker Lukas Nmecha all figure on the initial 100-strong list for the award, along with Manu Garcia, who spent last season on loan at NAC Breda.

Previous winners of the award, which is handed to the best young player in Europe include City aces Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.

Current World Cup stars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Isco have also won it, along with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney.

France ace Mbappe has also been nominated for the award, which is gradually whittled down to a final 20, and he is favourite to become the first player ever to win it twice after lifting it last season.

Foden, 18, is the City man most likely to challenge the Paris St Germain star, after being named best player at the Under-17 World Cup last year and making the breakthrough with City, where he won Premier League and League Cup winner’s medals.

Diaz, also 18, has also stepped up with City, while 19-year-old Nmecha was included in the first team squad towards the end of the season.

Twenty-year-old midfielder Garcia had a fine season with NAC, and is expected to head out on loan to French club Toulouse next season.