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A forgotten summer signing makes his Manchester City debut on Saturday in the FA Cup as Pep Guardiola made a number of changes.
It wasn’t a surprise that Guardiola made wholesale changes, with Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Nico O’Reilly starting with many big names on the bench (or left out all together in Kyle Walker’s case). Erling Haaland was due a rest and this was the game to rest him, but Phil Foden or James McAtee were expected to play as a false nine.
Instead, Guardiola gave a debut to Divin Mubama, 20, who joined City in the summer after leaving West Ham at the end of last season, with the Blues paying £2m for his services in the closing days of the transfer window.
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After returning from an injury at the start of his City career, Mubama has made just three appearances for the Academy, scoring twice in a win over Nottingham Forest in which he also recorded an assist. Mubama has also been on the first team bench three times before his debut vs Salford.
The England under-20 international scored 58 goals in 90 youth outings for West Ham and one goal in 18 senior appearances including five in the Premier League. When he signed he was not expected to be a regular first team option, and injury has stalled his attempts at making a strong start to life in Manchester.
Mubama has featured just three for the academy since returning from injury, totalling 103 minutes, but has trained with the first team squad recently and taken to social media to recognise his belated start to life at City and senior training.
He had been offered a contract at the London Stadium in the summer but opted to leave – which entitles the Hammers to the £2m training compensation fee as per FA rules – and had been linked with a move to Portugal before City stepped in.
Mubama scored one senior goal for West Ham.
Guardiola has spoken of the reliance on Erling Haaland this season, who has played the most minutes of any player in the City squad and is comfortably leading the goalscoring charts – no other player has scored more than three.
Prior to confirming his move to City in the summer, Mubama posted a farewell message to West Ham, writing: “Making a little boy from Newham’s dream come true by playing in the Premier League, something that I will forever be grateful for. I learnt a lot of valuable things throughout my time from top professionals on and off the pitch that I will continue on my next journey in order to help me grow and develop throughout my professional career
“Also a big thank you to the fans for welcoming me with open arms any and every time, whether it would be on or off the pitch, and particularly those who showed me unwavering support up until now. I wish everyone associated at West Ham United FC, nothing but the best.”