(Sterling marked his City debut with a goal inside three minutes - Getty Images)
Manchester City's opening International Champions' Cup match against AS Roma on Tuesday morning was certainly worth waking up for.
Fielding a first-half eleven with an average age of 25, Manuel Pellegrini assembled a side abundant with experience, trickery and extraordinary potential. Manu Garcia, 17, whom the Sky Sports' commentator mistook for David Silva on one occasion, glistened alongside the wizard himself, whilst Raheem Sterling silenced his numerous critics with a confident finish after just three minutes.
Manchester born Brandon Barker, 18, Rony Lopes, 19, and Jason Denayer, 20, provided another tranquil view of the future in the second half, but it was striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 18, who attracted the most praise from exultant City supporters and impressed journalists on Twitter.
(Kelechi Iheanacho receives praise on Twitter)
The Taye Academy product provided a sublime assist and scored a goal of his own in a typically animated performance.
Iheanacho, a Nigeria U20 international, helped his country to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 and was voted CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year in the same year. The 18-year-old claimed the Golden Ball in the tournament, scoring six times and supplying seven assists in seven games. His form earned him a move to Manchester in 2014 where he instantly made an impact with two goals in pre-season.
(Iheanacho delivers a lofted ball into the path of Raheem Sterling for City's opener - Getty Images)
This year, Pellegrini is ready to promote Iheanacho to the first team in which he is likely to play a significant role. The Nigerian possesses strength and assurance at a level too high for the Elite Development Squad and the likely departures of Edin Džeko and Stevan Jovetić will leave space to fill up front.
City require something fresh, something raw and something different. Iheanacho, based on his current pre-season form, will slot in nicely.
