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The latest up and coming prospect rising within Manchester City has revealed rejecting a potential development pathway with Liverpool early on in his career.
Mfuni has seen steady progression through the Academy ranks at the Etihad Stadium, viewed as an elegant left-footed prospect and long regarded as one of the club’s brightest defensive talents.
Having first joined Manchester City’s youth setup well before his teenage years, he developed into a cornerstone of the club’s Elite Development Squad, earning praise for his composure in possession and tactical intelligence beyond his years.
A defining moment arrived during the 2023/24 campaign when Mfuni starred in City’s emphatic 4–0 FA Youth Cup final triumph over Leeds at the Etihad Stadium, in a season that underlined defensive assurance and confidence when stepping into midfield areas.
And it was arguably that form that saw him included in Pep Guardiola’s senior pre-season tour of North America in 2024 and recognised in The Guardian’s prestigious “Next Generation” list later that year.
Now, speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, Stephen Mfuni – currently excelling on loan at Championship side Watford – has revealed a decision he made very early on in his rise within the game concerning Premier League rivals Liverpool.
“From under sevens to under nines I was at [Manchester] City and Liverpool at the same time and then chose Man City because I liked it more there,” Mfuni admitted.
The defender continued on the decision made in January that led him to a short-term loan at Watford, “They [City] recalled Max Alleyne and I was speaking to Max a lot because he’s close with me and he was telling me about how good Watford is, how good the environment is, the playing staff, so in the end I chose here because I had someone to guide me.
“Personally I just hope to get as much experience as I can so that nothing’s new to me and I’m ready for anything when I go back. From the team perspective, we’re trying to get promoted, we believe we can do it, we need to stick together as a team and keep on pushing each day.”
Mfuni continued, “No-one really thinks about loans, I’m here to get everything I can for the team and I’m enjoying every game.
“Before I came I did my research on what to expect, the things to do and what not to do, and I’m using that in my game. I’m just hoping I become a better player in general – just everything, everything I’m good at, and not good at, hopefully they all improve.”
The 2025/26 season has marked Stephen Mfuni’s first real taste of senior football, off the back of substitute places in high-profile Premier League and Champions League fixtures, including clashes with Napoli and Manchester United.
Mfuni made his competitive debut for Manchester City in January 2026, introduced at half-time for Nathan Aké during a 10–1 FA Cup victory over Exeter City, demonstrating the assured distribution and positional awareness that have drawn comparisons with established stars.
His subsequent loan move to Watford has already proven fruitful, operating both centrally and at left-back under manager Ed Still, impressing with his maturity and most notably completing a full 90 minutes in a vital 2–1 win away at Bristol City.
With the Hornets pushing for Premier League promotion, the 18-year-old’s focus remains firmly on development and contribution, all seemingly with an eye on returning to Manchester City ready to compete at the very highest level.