Age doesn’t affect selection, says Maresca | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says the age of our Academy talents will not influence who he picks for the first team.

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We begin the defence of our Carabao Cup trophy against Championship side Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow, with Maresca promising changes to the side that beat Manchester United on Sunday.

The early rounds of this competition are often fertile ground for promising youngsters to get a taste of the senior game.

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And Maresca doesn’t expect it to be any different this time around, saying his choices depend on attitude, work ethic and ability above all else.

In particular, he focused on Kaden Braithwaite, Ryan McAidoo and Floyd Samba, who all train as part of the first team on a daily basis now.

“When young players are good players, the age is not going to close or open the door,” he stated in Wednesday’s press conference.

“If they are good and have good attitude, they work with us. For sure they need to be good players but in terms of attitude - the three we have with us when they drop to EDS we have a member of staff who goes with them.

“First they need to behave and for sure they need to perform in the right way. We pay attention to the way they play, the way they behave and when they drop [to the EDS] they need to be a good example to the other ones.”

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Throughout his managerial career with Leicester and Chelsea, Maresca has been renowned for trusting in Academy graduates.

The boss cited Phil Foden’s love and passion for City as an example of why he often takes that route.

“Because they are from the Academy here the feeling for them is different - if you speak to Phil, City is his club,” he said.

“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.”

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Maresca was then pressed further on the traits of Braithwaite, McAidoo and Samba and what they can give to his side.

Braithwaite, a physically imposing but composed defender, made his City debut almost two years ago while still only 16 and added to that as a substitute in last month’s Premier League victory at Crystal Palace.

Lightning quick winger McAidoo played in FA Cup defeats of Exeter and Salford last term before featuring against Palace and Coventry in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, attack minded midfielder Samba has featured on the bench twice but is yet to make his competitive debut for Maresca’s men.

“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,” he began.

“Sometimes you see a winger with the ball and they go back. Ryan receives the ball and goes forward.

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“I think the two games he played some minutes in the Premier League he was good and nothing changed with him.

“Floyd is an attacking midfielder who can arrive in box, good finish. Can be a good profile.

“And 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 so that’s why.”

Be here as City begin defence of Carabao Cup crown

Don’t miss our Carabao Cup third round game with Norwich City as we look to defend the trophy we won in 2025/26.

Our clash with the Canaries takes place on Thursday 17 September at the Etihad Stadium with a 19:30 (UK) kick-off.

Tickets are on general sale and priced at £20 for adults and £5 for kids – with up to six tickets available to purchase per supporter.

The Blues are nine-time winners of the competition – behind only Liverpool – having emerged victorious in 1970, 1976, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2026.

Make sure you secure your spot at the Etihad Stadium as we look for more glory this season!

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