It could be the career decisions of the rising stars that shapes the pecking order as we head into the future. Bazunu has a clear focus on what he needs to do.

The Shamrock Rovers product is determined to go out on loan from Manchester City again next season and when tomorrow’s friendly with Hungary is out of the way, he expects discussions about the destination to take shape.

He gained a lot of experience with Rochdale in League One this season, even though it ended with the disappointment of relegation.

Bazunu was taken out of the firing line in the final months, with manager Brian Barry-Murphy concluding that he needed a breather. The player spoke diplomatically on that decision but he is convinced that the Rochdale experience will stand to him in the long run.

“For me, I feel like it was a hugely successful year and I got a lot of game time and experience,” says Bazunu, who made 32 appearances for Rochdale, adding to the first team exposure he enjoyed as a 16-year-old at Rovers before his €500,000 move.

“That was the whole plan for loan. It was a really difficult season but I feel that it couldn’t have been a better loan for myself as I got loads of exposure to first team football and I suppose that game-time was what was able to get me into this (Ireland) squad so I’m very thankful for that.”

Bazunu was with City’s Champions League squad last August and signed a long-term deal before the Rochdale switch so he is very well regarded at base. He feels that becoming the City number one at some stage in the future is a realistic aspiration.

There’s a road to travel to get there, though. He remains in regular contact with goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor Macazaga who will have input into his next move. Irishman Fergal Harkin, the highly rated head of City’s loan department, and Bazunu’s agent Graham Barrett will be the other players in the debate.

“I spoke to Xabi today actually (Bazunu was speaking on Saturday) and I like to keep in contact with him,” he explained.

“During the season, I speak to him once or twice a week and we go over the clips from previous matches and he gives me an insight on what he thinks I can improve on. Initially the plan was that I would go in and train with them (City) once or twice a week but because of Covid and all the restrictions that wasn’t possible.

“My plan would be that I would like to go out on loan and I’ve spoken to Xabi and he’s on the same page, so at the moment we’re just trying to get the ball rolling really.

“I’ve not really got too much information myself as to where I’ll be going. I suppose we’ll be planning that over the next couple of weeks.

“The decision will probably between Xabi, Fergal (Harkin) and my agent. And I have a lot of trust in them and I just let them work in the background and they come to me whenever they have had their meetings or when they have something on the table. I am open to going anywhere which will help aid my progression as a footballer.”

The reference to anywhere was in the context of a question about whether he would be willing to travel outside of the UK.

City’s network is global so there may be options that crop up in a different football culture. Bazunu is open to that.

He came on City’s radar because he ticks the boxes for their definition of a modern goalkeeper: comfortable with the ball at his feet and confident when asked to leave his box.

We’ve seen that side of him in his three Ireland caps, even if it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Bazunu’s positioning for Andorra’s opening goal on Thursday was questioned, while he also was inches away from conceding a penalty against Qatar.

But he isn’t going to change a style that has put him on the map. It’s just about refining it and learning from experience.

“There are different things you can change,” he mused. “If I had a deeper position (for the Andorra goal) I might have had more of chance to save a goal but my opinion on it is I am going to be as aggressive as possible to stop any potential cross.

“Like, there was another cross I came out for in the game and I don’t think I would have been able to come for it if I wasn’t as aggressive.

“I am definitely going to learn from it and the other lads will look back on it and see what they can improve on, but there were a lot of positives to take from the game.”

There’s no guarantee that Bazunu will start in Budapest tomorrow as Kenny may look to give Kelleher a debut at some stage in this gathering.

Comparing and contrasting the pair could become a national pastime and Bazunu wasn’t too forthcoming when asked if the Liverpool prospect should consider following his example by going out on loan.

“That decision isn’t up to me,” he said, before later adding: “My opinion is that game-time is very important.”

All he can do is look after number one.