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Manchester City Under-19s got their UEFA Youth League campaign off to a winning start as they beat Napoli 2-0 at the Joie Stadium.
It might be the sons of Emile Heskey who command the most attention from observers around the Manchester City academy, but he isn't the only professional footballer to have two boys coming through the ranks.
Heskey was sitting in the stands to watch Reigan play on the left wing in City Under-19s Youth League opener against Napoli. He had trained with Pep Guardiola's first team yesterday, but while Stephen Mfuni and Divine Mukasa stayed with the squad for the Champions League tie, 17-year-old Heskey was back with Ben Wilkinson's youngsters.
But it was 16-year-old midfielder Floyd Samba, son of former Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba, who stole the show, scoring the goal that handed City a winning start in a competition they are desperate to finally win.
This was Samba's first appearance in the Youth League, but it won't be his last. His dad was a monstrous centre-half, standing 6ft 4ins and devouring strikers for breakfast, and those genes have clearly been passed down.
Already standing at over 6ft tall, Floyd is a physical midfielder who had the edge against his opposite numbers here. His strength allowed him to command the midfield, but he displayed the kind of technique that could earn him a career at the Etihad as well.
The enterprising Ryan McAidoo assisted his goal, but this time, the goalscorer deserved all the credit. Upon receiving a pass from the winger, Samba turned away from a marker on the edge of the box, cut inside, and slammed a left-footed finish into the top corner.
Samba scored three goals in 16 appearances for City last season but already has four in four this season, as well as an assist in the Under-18s 7-3 rout of Sunderland.
Playing as a right-sided No. 8 against Napoli, the Macclesfield-born midfielder was a threat all afternoon. He is yet to play for the Under-21s, but another promotion might not be far off.
He should have had a penalty soon after his goal after being taken down as he drove towards the byline and could have scored another, only for Mahamadou Sangare to take the ball off his toes from Heskey's cut back. He was withdrawn 10 minutes from time after picking up a knock, but had already made the difference. Heskey made sure with a stoppage time penalty, filmed on his phone by Emile in the stands.
Floyd wasn't the only Samba in Wilkinson's squad, either. Tyrone, 13 months older, was among the substitutes. Both joined the City academy at the age of eight and are eligible to represent France, Germany, and England. Floyd spent the most recent international break with the England Under-17s, scoring in their wild 7-5 win against the Germans.
Samba has previously called his sons "Mancunians", having been born here despite his Congolese heritage. The youngest is making an impression in Manchester this season.
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