Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba are all expected to feature for Manchester City against Norwich
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Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba are no strangers to the first team this season. The trio are among many in the academy who were pushed up to work with Pep Guardiola and the senior players over the last few years, with Braithwaite making his debut in 2024 and McAidoo earlier this year.
Catching the eye of first team coaches is incredibly difficult when the competition for places is as strong as it is at the Etihad, but staying there is even harder. Guardiola banished one emerging talent last season because he did not like his application in training, and - like others who had suffered the same fate - there would be no return.
Some players have more ability than others, but in a group where everyone is exceptional for their age it is attitude that keeps City's youngsters getting asked back to the first team. After taking a look at 16 of them on the pre-season tour, new City boss Maresca decided to keep three permanently: McAidoo, Braithwaite, and Samba.