Monga breaks drought with England Under-18s goal after Swansea struggles

Jeremy Monga scored for England Under-18s in their 3-2 victory over the Netherlands this week, providing a timely reminder of the ability that persuaded Manchester City to sell him to Swansea City for £10 million in the summer — a fee that has looked increasingly awkward given the 17-year-old has yet to make a single appearance for the Championship club.

Swansea manager Vitor Matos has attributed Monga’s absence from the first team to the quality and consistency of the players ahead of him. The Swans sit sixth in the Championship after a strong start to the season, which has made it difficult for the winger to force his way in. His City teammates Ben Vickery and Marlow Barrett also started the England Under-18s fixture, with Teddie Lamb coming off the bench.

The international break brought a broader showcase of City’s academy depth. In total, 21 young Blues were on duty across England’s age-group sides from Under-17 through to Under-21. Dante Headley, Ryan McAiddo, and Kaden Braithwaite started for the Under-19s in a 4-1 qualifier win over Slovenia, with Harrison Miles and Dexter Oliver unused substitutes. Former City player Reigan Heskey scored twice for the Young Lions in that game.

Xavier Parker scored twice for England Under-17s in a 6-1 demolition of Montenegro in a European Championship qualifier, with City teammate Darren Motsi adding an assist. Theo Carrington and Noah Smith were unused substitutes. Kian Noble, Brooklyn Nfonkeu Feuba, and Christian McFarlane were all involved as England Under-20s beat Czechia 6-1.

Elsewhere in the academy, 15-year-old holding midfielder Will Gueke has emerged as a player to watch — and, reportedly, as the subject of an international tug of war over his future international allegiance. Gueke was one of the youngest players on the pitch when he featured for City’s Under-18s against Burnley recently, yet he scored with a composed strike from the edge of the box and produced a performance that belied his age. Under-18s head coach Lauris Coggin has been calling on Under-16s players to fill gaps left by older players being pulled up to the Under-21s and first-team setups, and Gueke has taken his opportunity.