A Manchester City full of youths has managed to come back and beat Wycombe Wanderers to go to the next round in the Carabao Cup (6-1). Although the Third Division took the lead through Brandon Hanlan, taking advantage of a hubbub in the area, Pep Guardiola’s team ended up passing over their rival thanks to goals from De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez twice, Ferran Torres and Palmer. The most striking thing about the local line-up was the presence of a total of five debutants in the starting eleven (Wilson-Esbrand, Mbete, Burns, Egan-Riley, Lavia and McAtee), as well as another one from the bench (McAtee) , due to the plague of injuries and the tight schedule they face in the coming days: Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, PSG at Parc des Princes, Liverpool at Anfield. Although the defensive line was made up of youths in its entirety, the ‘citizens’ lined up De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, Sterling and Ferran on the attack front.
Manchester City debutants
Romeo Lavia (2004). One of the great jewels of the Manchester City quarry, who got him from Anderlecht when he was 16 years old and ready to make his first team debut. After a year in England, his time has come. He has everything to succeed in the elite: defensive order, intensity and an outstanding ability to filter balls between lines. Last year he won the award for the best player of the subsidiary and his debut was made alongside one of the great stars of Belgium, neither more nor less than Kevin De Bruyne. Fernandinho’s seniority opens a door to the first team for him in the future. This course will have minutes in cup tournaments, but it is already in the dynamics of Guardiola’s.
James McAtee (2002). Born in Salford, on the outskirts of Manchester, he is one of those called to break down the door of the first team as Foden managed years ago. A very technical left-handed interior with a lot of goal – he has already scored 11 goals this season in just seven games – not in vain has he won the award for the best footballer of the month in the U23 league. He has been training for months with the first team, but the Competition in Guardiola’s squad has not allowed him to debut until tonight. The fans have already baptized him: “The Salford Silva”.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand (2002). The ‘citizen’ team signed him before moving on to youth when he played for West Ham. The left-back injured his knee and was out for most of last season, but he started this year very toned. As soon as there has been an opportunity – due to Zinchenko’s injury and Mendy’s absence – Guardiola has counted on him. He has been one of the most outstanding and participated in the 3-1 goal with his assistance to Mahrez from the baseline.
Luke Mbete (2003). A center-back with an imposing physique but with a careful output of the ball from the left profile. Mbete played for Brentford until he was captured by Manchester City at the age of 12. He has been playing with the subsidiary for two years and, although he had already been called up on several occasions – in the Premier League, in the Champions League and in the Cup – he had never officially debuted with the first team until tonight.
Finley Burns (2003). Manchester City’s most surprising start was Burns, a right-hander who came to the quarry when he was 17 years old. At that time, Burns played in the Southend until the ‘citizens’ paid 200,000 euros to the fourth division team, with bonuses that could reach up to 300,000. He had to deal with Adebayo Akinfewa.
CJ Egan-Riley (2003). He can play as a midfielder or as a defender and his debut has been from the right side. A very neat footballer with the ball and who is a regular in the lower categories of England, since he has played in all of the Under 15 to Under 18 categories.