Enzo Maresca praised Floyd Samba’s all-round performance after the 17-year-old marked his Man City debut with two goals in Thursday night’s 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich City.
Man City made 10 changes at the Etihad Stadium but still cruised into the fourth round, with Samba scoring either side of goals from Rayan Cherki and fellow debutant Allan before Ryan McAidoo completed the scoring late on.
Samba was asked to operate as City’s No.9 despite never previously playing in the position, and Maresca was impressed by far more than the youngster’s two goals.
Maresca delighted with Samba display
“I’m satisfied not just for the two goals, but for the entire performance – he was good,” said Maresca.
“He didn’t play many games as a No.9, but we tried him there in the last few days.
“I asked him in the last three or four days when I decided to play him as a nine – asked him if he had played [that role], and he said he had never played there before!
“He’s very good at finishing so I think it was a good game for him.”
Maresca was also pleased with Allan, who scored City’s third and provided the cross for Samba’s opener on his first appearance following his summer move from Palmeiras.
“I think it was a good performance,” said Maresca. “It was not easy – the first minutes here at home is always complicated.
“It was important for him to play to see a little bit of the English competition is a bit different to South America, so overall, it was good, he scored a goal and an assist – I think he is happy!”
Maresca was keen not to get carried away after another emphatic City victory, saying he was looking no further ahead than Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland.
“I am not thinking more than one week ahead because I know in our job many things can change in a week,” he said.
“Tonight we’re happy for many reasons and thinking about Sunderland.”
Perhaps more significantly for those who took their opportunity against Norwich, Maresca made clear that Thursday’s heavily rotated team was not simply a Carabao Cup side.
“We have different competitions. We have many games. We are just at the beginning of the season for sure the ones that played tonight during the season will play Premier League games and Champions League games as the season is so long.”
For Samba, after two goals on his senior debut in a position he had never previously played, it was quite a way to make his introduction.
LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments
