Man City signing to make debut vs Norwich as Enzo Maresca rests stars

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca could give several debuts to players in the Carabao Cup game with Norwich

Enzo Maresca will hand out at least one Manchester City debut against Norwich as he looks set to rest several first-team stars for the Carabao Cup game. Geronimo Rulli will step in for Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal after signing in the summer to replace James Trafford, with Maresca continuing his policy of playing his No.2 keeper in the domestic cups.

City’s manager could also hand the first minutes to Brazilian winger Allan, who has not featured since his move from Palmeiras last month but has been on the bench for the last two matches. Teenage midfielder Floyd Samba, son of former Premier League defender Christopher and with an older brother Tyrone also in the City academy, is also expected to make his first senior appearance for the club.

Maresca has been tasked with keeping City competitive in all competitions, and Pep Guardiola took a particular liking to the Carabao Cup, winning it five times in his ten years in charge – more than any manager in English football ever managed in the League Cup. But the Catalan was always pragmatic about resting his senior players when needed and Maresca is looking at star striker Erling Haaland and others who have had busy workloads recently.

“He’s one of the players that played 90 minutes back-to-back with Porto and United,” he said. “He’s not the only one – six or seven have played 90 and 90. Some of them will need some rest.”

Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Enzo Fernandez and Antoine Semenyo are among others in the squad to have featured heavily over the last week and may be due a rest. Maresca knows the expectation to win at home to Championship opposition but wants to balance the workload of his squad before they face Sunderland at the Etihad on Sunday in the Premier League.

“We prepare all the games trying to win the games and trying to compete to win. It will be tricky – we are going to try to win it and then we’ll see.”