Floyd Samba's scintillating first-team debut not only stole the show at Etihad Stadium on Thursday but also snatched all the headlines away from another high-profile teenager in Manchester. Website articles, social media posts and column inches have been filled this week with the news that highly rated 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel is on the verge of leaving Manchester United. But that particular saga will be overshadowed in Friday's football cuttings by 17-year-old Samba's stunning bow on the professional stage, scoring twice in Manchester City's 5-0 Carabao Cup third-round thrashing of Norwich City.
Samba was prolific in City's under-18 side last season and those impressive performances led to him being promoted to the first-team set-up by new manager Enzo Maresca this summer. The show of faith is already being repaid. "I knew there would be an opportunity to get some minutes for the first time with the first team," Samba told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"To get a debut like that is mind-blowing. "I couldn't believe it myself - but that is just the beginning, I have got a big career ahead of me. "I spoke to all of them [first-team players], they have all been brilliant with me - before the game, giving me advice like 'play your game, be you' - those words have given me confidence and helped me score those two goals today." Samba with debut double as Man City thrash Norwich The youngster joined City's academy at under-nine level and he really started to make a name for himself last term.
Samba scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists in an eye-catching first full season with the under-18s, including curling home a stunning free-kick to help City win the FA Youth Cup final against rivals Manchester United in May. On his debut, Samba played the entire 90 minutes and fully grasped his opportunity. With City struggling for openings, Samba broke the deadlock by flicking home a header - he celebrated by blowing a kiss in the direction of family and friends in the stands, before curling in a delightful second later in the game.
Samba was afforded a generous ovation towards the end of the game when being deservedly named man of the match. "[I'm] satisfied not just for the goals but for the performance too," said manager Maresca. "I asked him in the last three, four days - when I decided to play him as nine - he said he never played there.
He is not a nine for sure, but he was good. "He is young, full of energy, strong, can finish, can set [players up]. He made some good decisions in the first half.
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