Manchester City continue to ride a wave of success. The Sky Blues reached the League Cup last 16 thanks to a commanding 5–0 victory over second-tier side Norwich. Floyd Samba, a top prospect who is currently part of the German Under-19 squad, put in an impressive performance.
Whilst the action was centred on the Europa League across Europe, in England Manchester City were in action in the third round of the League Cup – and secured a comfortable 5–0 victory against second-tier side Norwich City.
City manager Enzo Maresca fielded a second-string side. He is likely to have been pleased with what he saw from them. After an opening phase in which the Sky Blues needed a little time to find their rhythm, it was Samba who broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. It was not to be the only goal from the 17-year-old, who holds British, French and – thanks to his mother – German citizenship: In the 54th minute, he made it 4–0.
Cherki (32’) and Allan (48’) had found the net earlier. The final word in this rather one-sided match came in the 90th minute from another City prospect, the 18-year-old McAidoo. On 27 October, Manchester City will now face Brighton & Hove Albion at home.
Praise from the manager and a healthy dose of confidence
It remains to be seen whether Samba will start again. In any case, the youngster certainly impressed his manager. “The two goals were pleasing, and overall he put in a good performance,” said the manager, praising the debutant and noting that he had “not yet played as a number 9. We’ve only tried that out in the last two or three days. He’s certainly not a classic number nine, but he did well. He’s very dangerous in front of goal, so it was a very good game for him.”
Samba has been playing for the Skyblues since the Under-9s and usually features for the Under-21s in Premier League 2 as well as for the Under-19s in the Youth League. Now, however, the young talent has got a taste for it and is hoping for more. “A debut like that is simply amazing,” he said, beaming with joy: “I could hardly believe it – this is just the beginning; I’ve got a great career ahead of me.”
After the League Cup, both clubs return to league action on Sunday: Manchester City host AFC Sunderland (3 pm), whilst Norwich face Bolton Wanderers in the Championship (2.30 pm). Samba will then join the German Under-19 national team, who will face Ukraine, Finland and the Czech Republic during the upcoming international break. Under DFB coach Christian Wörns, he could then make his international debut; he most recently played for the English Under-17s.
