6 City prospects grab Column inches and Futera Headliners appearances
Recently, we told you all about our latest Headliners cards which went on sale for just 24 hours. Over the weekend, we showcased cards for Manchester City, Liverpool, and Wolves with Arsenal following shortly after.
Now, in this post, we want to focus on the Manchester City hot prospects you could’ve added to your collection! These cards featured some of the latest emerging talent from Man City’s enviable academy.
However, the collection was only live on the Futera site for 24 hours. Which means that if you managed to add a couple of cards to your UNIQUE-LIVE collection before the clock went red, then you’re now the proud owner of some seriously rare merch!
So who could you have picked up?
The Astounding Six
Cole Palmer
James McAtee
Joshua Wilson-Esbrand
Luke Mbete
Finley Burns
Conrad Egan-Riley
What are Headliners Cards?
Before we focus on those six stunners in more detail, though, let’s give you a little more information about our Headliners cards and what it means to own them.
The Headliners Sets - produced for Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Manchester City, Olympique de Marseille and Wolverhampton Wanderers - will be ever-evolving with card drops through the season featuring new player signings as well as game and player highlights. With that in mind, it was only a matter of time before we had a Man City academy special!
So, what do you get?
Each quality Headliners card is individually foil-numbered, with an average thickness of 2mm and feature foiled elements. These Headliners drops are limited to the number sold within 24 hours of release.
Individually foil-numbered Parallels will feature within the release quantity, including ultra-rare unique Futera ‘1 of 1’ 24ct gold plated framed cards, meaning that the card you receive may be one of these super-rare Parallels!
Now that you know more about the collection, how about we give you more info on the future Manchester City stars we featured?
Cole Palmer
First up we have a name that many of you may now be familiar with, the latest attacking talent to come off the City production line.
Cole Palmer hit the ‘headlines’ (see what we did there?) when he bagged his first senior City goal in the Citizens’ Carabao Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers back in November, before netting his first Champions League goal in October in the blues’ 5-1 win over Club Brugge.
After signing for City at under-eight level, success has followed the Wythenshawe-born midfielder throughout his fledgling career. He captained the Citizens’ under-18s team to a League and Cup Double during their 2020/21 campaign, scoring 15 times and bagging five assists that year before breaking into the senior set-up.
But it’s his performances with Guardiola’s table-toppers, as well as the Spaniard's comments after that Champions League performance, that have really got City fans salivating over this youngster.
Guardiola commented after his side’s demolition of Club Brugge noting Palmer “has a special quality in front of the box, a talent that is difficult to find,” he continued: “When he has the ball there, most of the time, it ends up in the net.”
James McAtee
James McAtee’s performances in a City shirt so far have led him to be dubbed the “Salford Silva”. Considering the cult status David Silva holds among the City faithful, we think it goes to show how excited those around the club are about him.
Another City graduate making his senior bow in that Carabao Cup win against Wycombe, McAtee signed his first professional contract with City in July 2020 and he’s been pulling up trees ever since.
In his first seven games of this campaign, the promising attacking midfielder has bagged 11 goals and three assists for the under-23s, not to mention a handful of England appearances at age-group level. Now City are facing a battle to keep hold of the young goal machine with Crystal Palace, West Ham and Brighton all reportedly ready to capture his signature. Exciting prospect indeed!
Joshua Wilson-Esbrand
Next up in our sextet of Man City Headliners cards is the man who McAtee actually replaced in that Wycombe game.
City, via their website, describe Wilson-Esbrand as a “powerful, marauding left-back”. Who wouldn’t be interested, right? But, while senior football opportunities have been limited for the young fullback, the demand for wing-backs in the Premier League continues to rise. So, while João Cancelo continues to rip it up for the Citizens, more chances might be just around the corner for Wilson-Esbrand.
The young left-back originally signed for the blues in October 2019 from West Ham following a successful trial period.
Luke Mbete
In Luke Mbete, Guardiola may just have found a replacement for renaissance man John Stones. A rangy and powerful defender who showcases a supremely delicate touch with the ball at his feet.
The eagle-eyed among you may remember Mbete as a surprise inclusion on the Manchester City first team bench over the busy Christmas period in the 2020/21 season. In fact, the highly-thought-of centre-back appeared on the bench for the blues’ 1-3 New Years’ Day win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Mbete was also one half of the young central defensive partnership which kept veteran, robust goalscorer Adibayo Akinfenwa at bay during the cup win at Wycombe. The other half of that resolute duo is next on our list.
Finley Burns
That steadfast performance on his senior bow has, no doubt, boosted Burns’ stock in footballing circles. But those in the know will also be aware that the youngster’s City journey started back when the blues parted with a whopping £175,000 to bag his 13-year-old signature back in 2017 from Southend.
Since signing for the Citizens, Burns has played a pivotal role in the under-18s’ double-winning success and has made a number of England appearances at age-group level.
Easy to see why we were so keen to get him in this UNIQUE-Live collection.
Conrad Egan-Riley
Last but not least in our collection of six City Headliners is Conrad Egan-Riley. The skilful youngster, known as CJ, has been known to occupy a number of positions for City.
From composed defensive-midfielder to ball-playing right-back, it’s easy to see why the versatile Egan-Riley has become so well thought-of during his 10 year stay with the Citizens.
But now it looks like his stock is about to explode. With Kyle Walker now into his 30s, maybe more senior appearances could follow his bow in that Wycombe cup win.
More coming soon
You may have now missed your chance to add one of these City stunners to your UNIQUE-LIVE collection. But, never fear, you should know by now that we’re always looking for opportunities to bring you rare and incredible collectibles! So watch this space for more Futera cards dropping very soon!
In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled on our socials for more chances to bulk up your collection!
Speak soon,
Tom
