Vietnam 1 Manchester City 8

Steven McInerney looks at how City's EDS players performed in the friendly win

This was fun. Extremely. Yes, it was only an admirably naive Vietnamese national team, and yes it was only a friendly, but at times City were simply irresistible. It felt like we were witnessing a glimpse of what the future holds. Truly, and maybe finally, the holistic ideal in full flow. The football we played felt vibrant, dynamic and skillful, with a forward line blessed with potential and youthful zest.

Kelechi started as the lone striker, flanked by Sterling and Navas with a midfield three of Garcia, Silva and Evans pulling the strings. Denayer started alongside Mangala with Sagna and Kolarov the fullbacks with Hart in goal. From the off it was was entirely one way stuff as City attacked Vietnam with vigour and energy. Excitingly, alongside two more excellent performances from Sterling and Silva, the kids were the stars of the show.

Iheanacho was magnificent - he's more than just a finisher. There's a real finesse and intelligence to his game, evident in his link up with Sterling in particular, interchanging frequently with lovely little one-twos around the box. One such moment brought Sterling's second goal of the game, his first being a delightful 25 yard curler into the top corner, as the former Liverpool man raced onto a delightfully weighted return ball from the precociously talented Nigerian before slotting past the keeper. It was highly promising, showcasing the vast array of talents the 18 year old possesses. He's a real prospect, make no mistake.

We have ourselves a gem here, and as it stands he's likely to complete his elevation to the first team come the first game of the season - both Aguero and Bony will be desperately lacking match fitness and it wouldn't have gone unnoticed how strikingly natural and effective his link up play has been with Silva and Sterling. Pellegrini isn't stupid, and Iheanacho would oddly be much less of a risk against West Brom at this stage than the other two would be. He'd deserve the chance too.

Read the full article on In Esteemed Kompany here.