How Bristol City might look in 2025: Loan successes could save the club millions 10 talents who could be the main Robins of the future. Bristol City's long-term plans are slowly coming to fruition. Renovation of Ashton Gate and the surrounding area, a new training ground, and most importantly a team competing for promotion. Despite defeat to Leeds United, the Robins remain the seventh favourites for promotion this season - a sure sign that they are in the mix. And the future looks ever bright. City may well lose players again in the summer but as they've shown over the last few years, any fees collected can be used again to bring in new players and 'go again' in the race for promotion to the Premier League. In that way, year on year the club can remain sustainable. With all that in mind, and the recent success of several City loan players, we've picked out a few of the brightest talents from the ranks of the academy and beyond who could save the club millions in the transfer market and prove to be the bedrock of the team for years to come. Here are 10 City talents who could well be part of the Robins side in season 2024/25 if they continue their upwards curve? Max O'Leary The Robins goalkeeper, who was another young player to spend time on loan at local Bath City, has enjoyed good playing time over at Shrewsbury Town this season and developed further after making 14 starts for Bristol City in 2018/19. After being called up to join the Ireland Republic squad training under Mick McCarthy last April there may even be an international future at some point for O'Leary, 23. If he can improve his command of his area and develop real presence, then O'Leary could be a mainstay in the Robins defence for years to come. Liam Walsh Simply must be involved with Bristol City next season after completing his apprenticeship with Coventry following Lee Johnson telling Walsh that he was in need of playing 40 games The at-times-magical central campaigner - witness incredible goals against Bristol Rovers and Rochdale this term, but also against QPR for City in the Carabau Cup first round - has progressed on loan at the Sky Blues and will now play in City's midfield next season if a new contract can be agreed with justa year to run on his present deal. Hailed recently by our Bristol Rovers reporter Sam Frost as the best player he has yet seen in League One this season so far. Well, it wasn't going to be a Gas player was it? James Morton The central midfielder has returned after spending the first half of the season at Forest Green Rovers where Mark Cooper's team threatened the top seven with Morton playing 654 minutes at the New Lawn and helping the cause. Morton, 20, even travelled recently with the Robins as they headed to play Wigan Athletic - although Jojo Wollacott got the nod for that away game as the 'club-developed player' to sit on the bench, Morton may well be involved at some point this season, with Lee Johnson having the habit of blooding young players at the end of each league season. Highly-rated by key senior Bristol City staff, Morton is another of our tips to keep an eye on over the next years. Tyreeq Bakinson The central midfielder, 21, has enjoyed a good start to life on loan at Plymouth Argyle after a similarly impressive time under Mike Flynn in 2018/19 and certainly looks capable of playing at a higher level in future. Needs to work on his off-the-ball game but certainly has all the tools to be an effective midfielder. Yet another talent to have come from Luton Town following City's Freddie Hinds and Jay Dasilva both beginning their careers at the Bedfordshire club, while the Premier League's Jamal Lewis, Max Aarons and even Jack Wilshere also did likewise. Bakinson's sharp passing range and clean tackling ability mark him out as a good prospect for the years ahead. Antoine Semenyo Attracted a bid from Chelsea in January 2019 and had Bristol City quoting a price of £10-12m for the versatile striker, after that successful loan spell at the Exiles. Semenyo has now gone on loan to Sunderland for more first team involvement but he remains an important part of City's future and could well be leading the line for the Robins in years ahead - possibly alongside pal Saikou Janneh if all goes well too. Still only 20, the former SGS College forward has even attracted the attentions of Manchester United previously and he looks set to follow in the footsteps of Bobby Reid as a forward to have come through from the Robins academy. Saikou Janneh Livewire striker who is currently injured but could be in line for a senior appearance at the end of the season if results go his way. Impressed under Gary Johnson at Torquay United last season - is there anyone better to impress if you're looking to break into a Lee Johnson side beyond Lee? - and is highly regarded at Ashton Gate, so much so that both Janneh and Semenyo were handed new deals last summer tying down their futures in BS3. Janneh, 20, had a League One loan lined up last summer and may well go out to a similar club level next season or the one after, before launching his Robins career for good. Joe Morrell The Wales international has drawn plaudits for both his dispalys with the Imps this season, first under Danny Cowley before then under successor Michael Appleton. And that's to go with his five caps for his country as Ryan Giggs has entrusted the 23-year-old central midfielder born in Ipswich to patrol the Dragons' midfield. Could well take a place in the City central midfield from next season and the years ahead, if not a loan at Championship level for one more season away from Ashton Gate. Also: Joe Low No-nonsense central defender who is on the fringes of the Wales U19s set-up. Possesses an athleticism that could see him go far. Vince Harper and Zak Vyner could also feature in the City defence in years to come too. Sam Pearson Wales U19s versatile forward playing under Jerry Gill at Bath City as he learns the game at senior level, while also under the tutelage of former Robins defender Rob Edwards for the Young Dragons. Ayman Benarous England U17s midfielder has been heralded as an 'exciting' talent to watch by head of the Bristol City academy Gary Probert. No.10-style attacking midfielder who has caught Lee Johnson's eye in training with the seniors. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/how-bristol-city-might-look-3857823
Whilst I totally agree it's brilliant that we can produce such young talent from our academy for our future it does make me wonder, how many of these will be sold on for profit and how many will be retained for the long term playing careers. I know it's the way of life for football today but it does seem distasteful to produce human beings just to sell them on for the almighty dollar, the biggest buck for a pound of talented flesh, it's like being a puppy farm, it's a race for money not talent. How wonderful if in 2025, eight or nine of our first team squad of players could be called, "One of our own". Just dreaming.
