Cavan Sullivan: The 16-year-old US debutant primed for the Premier League

With a little over a year to go before he can officially join Manchester City, United States wonderkid Cavan Sullivan has taken his next step towards the big time.

Ever since City moved to secure the future signing of a then 14-year-old Sullivan back in 2024, there has been plenty of intrigue around his progress, and hype to go with it.

Manchester City saw something in him and were willing to wait for that potential to be realised at senior level. His MLS team, Philadelphia Union, have also shown patience as they gradually introduced him to senior football.

There is one complication, though - the ongoing news around his future club. He made his international debut the day after City were found guilty of breaking the majority of the 115 financial rules they were accused of breaching. The club are expected to appeal.

His performances, goals, and assists since the World Cup put him up there with the MLS's top individual stars, including Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez.

The facts need no extra hype or sensational Messi comparisons. Sullivan has seven goals and five assists in MLS this season. Six of those goals and four of those assists have come during August and September.

Is he the breakout soccer star that the United States have long been desperate for? He is about to become a big part of that conversation.

As the expectation rises, there has to be caution when discussing a player who only turns 17 this month.

"So it's no surprise that the country hopes for a star in men's soccer to match the many it has had in women's soccer.

"Freddy Adu is among the infamous, but there are others, such as Gedion Zelalem at Arsenal. Christian Pulisic has come closest, but isn't really there and had a worse World Cup than hoped for. Gio Reyna has never measured up to his talent.

Sullivan's full-time introduction to the Philadelphia Union team has coincided with a turnaround in their season, led by interim coach Richter, who took over before this post-World Cup run-in.

During this time, Sullivan has been playing in a right-sided attacking midfield role, but with the freedom to drift as a central number 10 might and cut inside on his stronger left foot.