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'Just the beginning' - Samba, 17, steals Man City show - Published 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. 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." Unfamiliar position for Samba 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. I am happy but they are young and we have to go slowly, slowly. "Hopefully we can give him more chances." Fleet-footed Samba a contrast to father The Samba surname will be familiar to those of a certain age who have followed the Premier League. Floyd is the son of former Blackburn and QPR defender Christopher, who played 171 top-flight matches for those two sides, as well as a further 12 in the Championship with Aston Villa. The City forward is the younger of two brothers at the club, with Tyrone also involved in the youth team, and will now be aiming to play more first-team minutes after an exciting debut. As a fleet-footed forward, Floyd could not be more of a different player to his dad Christopher, who was a no-nonsense towering centre-back. "Coming from under-21s to first-team training, that is a big jump," added Samba. "The sessions are more tiring, you have to run more - they demand more of you and you have to cope with it." Former Norwich striker Chris Sutton added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "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."
document fetched 2026-09-18 02:55 · canonical https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cqr7d30p1vjmo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss