Blues starlet has ex-Red as football 'idol'

WHEN City youngster Floyd Samba settles down to watch the Blues play Monaco in the Champions League, his eyes might be drawn to the French club.

- By TYRONE MARSHALL and ALEX JAMES

Paul Pogba is unlikely to feature against the Blues tonight as he builds up full fitness following a doping ban, but the midfielder may well be in attendance at the Stade Louis II.

Samba, a City midfielder catching the eye in the Academy, grew up idolising Pogba and trying to base his game on a player who, at the time, could lay claim to being one of the best midfielders around.

Samba, now 16, is beginning to carve his own path. He scored twice for City's Under-18s in their 4-2 comeback win over United at the weekend to extend their perfect league record to five wins from five.

The teenager will now turn his attention to a Youth League game in France this evening as City seek to build on their opening 2-0 win over Napoli, a game in which Samba scored the opener.

He produced a dazzling performance on his tournament debut against the Serie A side. One of the youngest players on the pitch was also one of the most imposing.

"My idol is Pogba. Pogba's my favourite player of all time," Samba said speaking to M.E.N. Sport after that 2-0 win. "Just the way he plays, I try to be as composed as him as well. His quality is top, technique and everything. Tall as well, like me.