Floyd Samba, 17, scores twice as Man City beat Norwich 5-0 in Carabao Cup debut
Seventeen-year-old Floyd Samba scored twice as Manchester City beat Norwich City 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup third round on Thursday. His first-team debut attracted widespread attention and drew headlines away from reports that 15-year-old JJ Gabriel is on the verge of leaving Manchester United.
Samba was promoted to City's first team by new manager Enzo Maresca this summer after a prolific season with the under-18s. He joined City's academy at under-nine level and last term scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists in his first full season with the under-18s. That campaign included a curled free-kick that helped City win the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United in May. He is the younger of two brothers at the club, with Tyrone also involved in the youth setup, and is the son of former defender Christopher Samba.
Samba played the full 90 minutes as City secured a 5-0 victory, breaking the deadlock by flicking home a header after a period in which the home side had been struggling for openings. He celebrated the opener by blowing a kiss towards family and friends in the stands and later added a second with a curling finish. Samba received a generous ovation late on when he was named man of the match.
"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. It was a great debut. 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."
"[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. I am happy but they are young and we have to go slowly, slowly. Hopefully we can give him more chances."
Former Norwich striker Chris Sutton spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying: "Absolutely brilliant moment for Floyd. His dad was in the stadium and will be extremely proud. It's the journey, he has been nurtured at Man City, got his moment and what a night for him. He has given Enzo Maresca a bit of food for thought moving forward. Of course, he is not going to play ahead of Erling Haaland but it is a great evening for him and good for his development. Maresca can think he can trust him a little bit more."
Samba will now be aiming to play more first-team minutes after an eye-catching debut and the club have indicated there may be further opportunities as Maresca considers his options.
