The next Foden? Manchester City youth’s strong claim for a starting spot

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Samuel Edozie of Manchester City celebrates after scoring during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester City and Barnsley at Manchester City Football Academy on July 31, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Samuel Edozie of Manchester City celebrates after scoring during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester City and Barnsley at Manchester City Football Academy on July 31, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Many a time, pre-season friendlies are a great way to judge your players’ fitness and help decide a squad for the upcoming season. It is not rare to see a youngster step up and make a strong claim in the starting eleven. In fact, in 2018, it was Phil Foden’s brilliant pre-season that earned him a place in Manchester City’s starting eleven.

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In City’s ongoing pre-season friendlies, one particular player has stood out. Samuel Edozie.

In 3 pre-season appearances, Edozie has already scored three times, adding to his tally against Blackpool on the 3rd of August. But it is not only his goal-scoring prowess that has impressed Manchester City fans and the coaching squad. His delicate control of the ball, blistering pace and ability to dribble past multiple players with ease have also caught the eyes of the fans.

Some fans even took to Twitter to voice their appreciation for the London born winger with one fan even said that Edozie has the ability to be better than Liverpool’s star attacker Sadio Mane.

Even Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had kind words for the youngster. Speaking in a post-match interview, the Spaniard said, “Like all of them, as a young talent having a special quality, a guy who gets to the box with the intention to score the goal is important for wingers.”

Pep also added, “He’s an incredible young player, good pace. Be patient with him. With minutes they play good and this is important.”

The winger was bought from Milwall last season for a rumoured fee of around 400,00 Euros last season.

Manchester City’s next game before their season opener against Tottenham Hotspurs is the community shield game against Leicester City. And with Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling still on holiday, there is a high chance that Pep Guardiola utilises the youngster again.

Whether Edozie plays or not against Leicester City is a question only Pep Guardiola can answer, but one thing is for sure. The youngster is a very talented player and has a very bright future ahead of him.