Enzo Maresca has confirmed, as of 24 September 2026, that Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba are now training with Manchester City’s first team on a daily basis. The Enzo Maresca Man City academy pathway has taken another step forward, with all three set to play some part in the Carabao Cup clash with Norwich at the Etihad Stadium.
City open their defence of the Carabao Cup against Norwich City, and Maresca has made clear that the academy trio are part of his squad planning for that tie, not just makeweights in training.
Updated position: Maresca integrates academy trio ahead of Norwich tie
The headline news remains the same as it was a week ago, but it now carries more weight with the Norwich fixture close at hand. McAidoo, Braithwaite and Samba are all working with the senior group every day, and Maresca has confirmed each of them will be involved against Norwich.
McAidoo and Braithwaite have already logged senior minutes this season. Samba has not yet made his first-team debut, though his daily involvement in training puts him firmly on Maresca’s radar for the cup run.
Why Enzo Maresca promoted Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba
Maresca’s approach to youth is simple: form and attitude matter more than a date of birth. He has repeated this stance since taking charge, and it explains why three academy products now train alongside senior internationals every day.
When young players are good players, the age is not going to close or open the door. If they are good and have good attitude, they work with us.
That philosophy has already produced results. McAidoo has made two Premier League appearances this season, and Braithwaite has also picked up senior minutes. Samba remains the one member of the trio still waiting for his competitive bow.
What Maresca said about Ryan McAidoo and Kaden Braithwaite
Maresca has been especially warm about McAidoo, an 18 year old winger who impressed during pre-season in Asia, including a strong showing against Inter.
McAidoo, if you remember one of my first press conferences, I said he is the kind of winger I love – he’s not scared, he always wants the ball, he is aggressive one v one. Sometimes you see a winger with the ball and they go back. Ryan receives the ball and goes forward.
Maresca said McAidoo’s brief Premier League outings have done nothing to change his opinion of the teenager.
I think the two games he played some minutes in the Premier League he was good and nothing changed with him.
Braithwaite has earned praise of his own, with Maresca pointing to his physical profile and tactical flexibility across defensive positions.
Kaden is physically strong and I think he can be a central defender, full-back. He needs to learn but he can play in both positions.
Enzo Maresca on the importance of the Man City academy pathway
Maresca has also spoken about why academy graduates carry a different weight for him than signings brought in from elsewhere. He used Phil Foden, the subject of the latest Etihad squad updates, as his reference point.
If you speak to Phil, City is his club. If you speak to a player who is not from the Academy probably his club is a different one. They feel different. That’s why when I see an academy player who is good I love to give them a chance, because I know the feeling deep inside is different.
That comment sums up the thinking behind the Enzo Maresca Man City academy strategy this season. Homegrown players get a genuine route into the first team when their form and attitude are right.
Enzo Maresca Man City academy plans and what happens next
Samba’s position is the one to watch. He trains daily with the seniors but is still waiting for his first competitive appearance, and the Norwich tie offers an obvious opportunity given City’s need to manage minutes across the Carabao Cup run.
McAidoo and Braithwaite, by contrast, already have senior game time behind them and look closer to regular involvement. Supporters can track how the trio feature against Norwich and beyond via City’s full fixture list, while further detail on Maresca’s original comments sits in our original report on Maresca’s academy promotions.
