Maresca watches Under-18s in person as Wint shines on loan at Kidderminster

Enzo Maresca turned up in person to watch Manchester City’s Under-18s at the City Football Academy last week, arriving alongside sporting director Hugo Viana in a move that did not go unnoticed by academy staff and parents. The visit came shortly before Maresca included youngster Dexter Oliver in his first-team squad and handed Floyd Samba a start in the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton.

Academy staff have already noted the attention Maresca and his backroom team are paying to youth development, with goalkeeper coach Willy Caballero regularly attending matches to report back and Danny Walker also involved. Maresca has permanently promoted three players since taking charge and has extended training opportunities to several others. Those present at last week’s Under-18 fixture felt his appearance was far from a token gesture.

On the pitch, the Under-21s beat Burnley 2-1 at the weekend, while the Under-19s secured a crucial UEFA Youth League victory over RB Leipzig by the same scoreline — results that arrived in the same week the senior side also got the job done.

Away from the City Football Academy, 20-year-old goalkeeper Jack Wint is making steady progress on loan at National League side Kidderminster Harriers. Wint, who joined City at under-nine level, moved to Kidderminster in the summer determined to play regular first-team football and has become the club’s first-choice keeper at Aggborough.

Sources indicate he has impressed Harriers staff with his attitude and application, and teammates have noted how grounded and focused the young stopper is. Because Kidderminster are a part-time club, Wint continues to do the bulk of his training at City, remaining a regular presence in the first-team training group as well as working with the academy squad.

City are satisfied with his development and draw comparisons with highly rated Oliver Whatmuff, who spent last season on loan at Rochdale in the National League, helped them win promotion, and has since stepped up to League One with Stockport County. Wint will have a chance to further enhance his reputation when Kidderminster host Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup first round.