Manchester City face a frantic 36 hours in the transfer window, but one squad solution reinforced their claim to be a key part of Enzo Maresca's thinking this season. On a night of positives in the capital on Friday, Ryan McAidoo's bright cameo in the final few moments against Crystal Palace showed his potential.
Impressive cameo at Selhurst Park
The winger impressed in the closing stages at Selhurst Park when he was introduced on the right for the final minutes. The 18-year-old confidently beat his man and cut inside to send a shot just wide of the far corner, using his pace and ball-carrying abilities to good effect.
McAidoo had similarly shone in the opening pre-season friendly against Inter Milan in Hong Kong when he played 45 minutes, tormented the defence and hit the post. A shoulder injury sidelined him until the trip to Palace, but McAidoo again displayed his ability and, with Savinho now sold and Jeremy Doku injured, the former Chelsea youngster could step up.
Transfer activity and path to first team
City will confirm the signing of Brazilian winger Allan ahead of Tuesday's deadline and are in talks with Liverpool over a move for Cody Gakpo, but McAidoo merits a chance. Boss Enzo Maresca wasted little time in promoting the wideman to the senior squad on the back of his tour showing and is likely to afford the teenager starts in cup competitions, with next month's Carabao Cup tie with Norwich City a potential opportunity for McAidoo.
Maresca has made no secret of his desire to give young players a chance if he feels their attitude and ability warrant selection, and McAidoo, who City fought to keep this summer amid interest from other Premier League clubs including Liverpool, could be set for a breakthrough campaign. He was handed minutes by Pep Guardiola last season and scored in the FA Cup rout against Exeter City in January, while the winger played a key role in City winning the FA Youth Cup last season.
Maresca backs young charge
He has now firmly graduated to the senior squad and will hope to flourish in the coming months, with Maresca seemingly prepared to back his young charge. "We have been speaking with the club about Ryan and since day one he is that kind of winger I love," said the City boss during the summer tour. "Very aggressive one v one, always trying, making the right decision. But he is young and he needs the right path." He's certainly on the right path.
