Isaiah Dada-Mascoll: The ‘outstanding’ Man City U18 talent aiming to get one over Man Utd

For any footballer, at any level, a six-month injury lay-off is cause for frustration. But for a 17-year-old aiming to continue his upward trajectory over recent years, it’s incredibly disheartening.

Yet Isaiah Dada-Mascoll, the Manchester City youngster who hopes to compete for a spot in Pep Guardiola’s senior squad, is only looking at the positives. The midfielder has missed almost the entirety of the 2023/24 season to date, but it has provided him the opportunity to develop things off the pitch.

“I wouldn't refer to it as lost time,” he told ManchesterWorld in a recent interview. “The time I have been injured has been vital for me to understand my body more. It's given me more discipline as well.”

“Mentally, definitely [it’s], taking priority over my structure and mobility. Nutrition-wise, what my body needs before and after games on match days. Recovery, ice baths.

“All these things that enhance performance on the pitch and reduce the risk of injury. It's been very important for me to pick things up. As I've been injured, the importance of these things has increased.”

It’s a remarkably mature outlook for a 17-year-old, but one that becomes less surprising the more you learn about the City protege. Dada-Mascoll reads his bible most days for ‘wisdom and encouragement’ and is currently studying Sociology and English Literature at A-Level, all while trying to balance his aims of becoming a Premier League footballer.

“Managing it is not easy,” he admitted. “It's just being wise and what I choose to do in my spare time. I don't see it as a pressure, I see it as an opportunity.”

Spare time has been more readily available for Dada-Mascoll in recent months, following foot and back injuries that kept him out from August to early April. It’s been a major setback for the teenager who impressed for the Under-18s last year and in the summer was promoted to the Under-21 squad.

He managed just three games at that level before injury struck and he hopes to make more of an impact for Brian Barry-Murphy’s Elite Development squad next season. For now, the focus is on ensuring some good can come at the end of such a frustrating campaign, with the Under-18s competing for silverware on two fronts in the next few weeks.

“It's been such a journey considering I got injured at the end of August. My first game was the FA Youth Cup semi-final against Bristol City [on 2 April]. I was so excited and ready to go. Now it's the last push to the end of the season and I'll be looking to prepare for pre-season as well. I'm excited.”

Having made three starts for the Under-18s in April, the next challenge is league winners Manchester United, a match that offers City the chance of revenge against the side that nicked their Premier League North crown this term. The Red Devils’ impressive record of 19 wins in 22 has seen them end their neighbour’s four-year hold on the title, and they could make it a league and cup double with a win in the Under-18s Premier League Cup final at Leigh tonight (Tuesday). But Dada-Mascoll and co have other plans.

“We're definitely going to be confident going there. The fact that it's away, playing on their ground, gives us a bit more motivation to show them what we're about. There was a bit of frustration [at losing the league], but obviously now that's gone and we must focus on what's in front of us.

“All the lads are just excited to play against them. We played against them in the past in younger age groups and it's always been a game we've looked forward to. It's a Manchester derby, so it's always a big game and because it's a final it makes it a bit bigger. It's just another game, but the situation - a final, a derby - makes the stakes higher.”

For Mancuinian Dada-Mascoll, who has been at the club since eight years old, there’s an obvious sense of local pride on offer as well. In the 11 years since he’s been an academy prospect at City, he’s seen fellow Manchester lads Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, Cole Palmer and James McAtee progress into the senior set-up. The teenager knows, if he applies himself and showcases his talents, a path to the top is available.

“Obviously starting when you're that young there's no pressure, you just want to play football,” he reflected. “I feel like just keeping that mindset, enjoying and being willing to learn things each day. It's been a journey and the journey is still continuing.

“When I see the likes of Cole Palmer, Rico, Brahim Diaz, Phil, it gives me a lot of motivation and instils discipline to keep going. Even watching the game the other night [against Real Madrid], it just motivates me. You can visually see that these people have been in my position and it gives me hope.”

But what do his coaches think? How far can Dada-Mascoll go in a ruthless industry where only a lucky handful ultimately make the grade?

“He is someone who we think has a very high ceiling in terms of where he can play,” opined Under-18s coach Ben Wilkinson, when asked about the Under-17 England international.

“He has a lot of things you need in the modern game and has a really good head on him as well. He’s been a big miss for us this season for the 18s and 21s. He was outstanding last year as a first year in the Under-18s. I thought he showed a very high level of performance and attitude.

“But it’s also important we don’t expect too much of him as he’s been out from pretty much August. I wouldn’t want him to put too much pressure on as I think he has a really promising career. It’s just nice to have him in and around the group.”

Asked which senior player he is similar to stylistically, Dada-Mascoll points to the controlled, accurate approach of Toni Kroos, while stressing he has a long way to go to make it to that level.

For now, the focus is on beating United this Tuesday, winning the Youth Cup final against Leeds United in a few weeks and making bigger strides next season at Under-21 level.

Before the latter begins, the City starlet turns 18. Has he got any plans for a big party? No, it’s a nice meal with his family to celebrate. But that’s in keeping with a modest youngster who has very big ambitions.