I've learned so much already thanks to Pep

LAKYLE Samuel has been surrounded by professional football for all of his life.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

His dad, J-Lloyd, had a successful Premier League career at Aston Villa and Bolton and Lakyle was introduced into the City academy as early as he could be as an Under-9.

The coaching he received as a young defender has been mixed with watching Youtube videos of his dad to chart Samuel’s path towards becoming a professional football in his own right.

The 18-year-old’s influences now include Pep Guardiola, John Stones and Rico Lewis as he looks to make a name for himself. His inclusion in the senior squad for the pre-season tour this summer was a reward for the progress he has made, and is intended to kick him on again.

“My dad played and when I was young I was straight away involved with it. I was obsessed with it and had all the Match Attax [player cards],” he told M.E.N. Sport.

“Obviously, with my dad’s influence in football it helped me to understand it a lot more. He helped me to understand the basics and since then I have taken myself with it.