Double Trouble! Former Premier League striker’s sons BOTH star in Man City U21s EFL Trophy win… as one scores a sensational curler before each net a penalty in dramatic shootout
What could be more dangerous than facing one of the Premier League’s all-time greats in the lead? That’s right: his two talented sons have teamed up to tear apart your defense.
EFL Trophy matches aren’t exactly greeted with the greatest fanfare, often playing second fiddle to major cup ties or European fixtures.
And the match between Manchester City Under 21s and Grimsby looked no different, with the youth wing of the all-conquering Etihad team copying their first team to top the Premier League 2 after an impressive start to the season.
The home side, meanwhile, have had a mixed season in League Two, winning 21 points from 14 games and hoping to move closer to their first silverware since lifting the same trophy in 1998.
City have no shortage of talent in their youth system, but it just seems unfair to have the offspring of a lethal former centre-forward against their opposition.
Emile Heskey’s son Reigan scored a wonder goal in an EFL Trophy match against Grimsby
Brother Jaden, meanwhile, started the match and also scored the decisive penalty
Ever the comeback king, Heskey overcame adversity after adversity to keep his place on the national team
Ex-England striker Emile Heskey is a Premier League legend, scoring 110 goals in 516 appearances for teams including Leicester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Once the comeback king, Heskey overcame adversity after adversity to keep his place in the national team and ultimately finished his career with 62 caps.
After losing his place following a disappointing Euro 2004 season, the forward impressed his club squads to force his way back into the England squad, making a shock return for Fabio Capello’s side at the World Cup 2010.
Defenders still haunted by Heskey’s physical presence and keen eye for goal will have been in for quite a shock as they tuned into Manchester City’s Under-21s EFL Trophy win over Grimsby last night, as both his children formed an attacking partnership to win the League Two outfit to beat.
Striker Jaden Heskey, 18, ended up in midfield for a cup tie at Blundell Park. The youth side were tipped to win after six straight wins in the Premier League 2 which have taken them to the top of the table.
But the match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw, despite the youngster threatening to unlock the stubborn Grimsby defense with a series of crosses and through balls before the chances were lost.
Come in, Brother Reigan. The 16-year-old was called up to the U21 squad after dominating for the Cityzens in the U18 Premier League, having scored six goals and provided four assists in seven games.
And he continued his electric form on Wednesday night with a world-class goal to put City ahead.
The centre-forward picked up the ball in Grimsby’s half and drove towards the opponent’s penalty area as the backline retreated in fear.
Reigan then took a few quick touches to find half a yard of space, before curling a beautiful finish at pace into the far right corner, leaving the swinging goalkeeper with no chance.
At that point City thought they had their winner, but Grimsby found an injury-time equalizer through Danny Rose (no, not the former Tottenham and England left-back) to take the match to penalties.
Luckily the Heskey brothers were on hand to see the away side cross the line, all hitting shots, with Jaden bagging the crucial winner.
In doing so, they achieved something that their father was never quite able to do. The former England international conceded one penalty in a 4-3 League Cup win over Blackburn in 2003, but it was saved by Brad Friedel.
The duo seems ready to follow in their father’s footsteps and become future stars. It is therefore no wonder that Emile encourages them in football from an early age.
During his time with Newcastle Jets in Australia in 2012, the brothers, then aged four and six, were able to steal the show on the pitch after matches.
Reigan (center) and Jaden (right) pictured in Newcastle, Australia, in 2012 with mother Chantelle Tagoe
Jaden imagined himself with a chance against Leeds in the FA Youth Cup final in May
Their father is now head of football development for Leicester City Women
During his spell with Newcastle Jets in Australia in 2012, the brothers, then aged four and six, could steal the show on the pitch after matches, wearing special ‘Heskey’ shirts.
Their father is now head of football development for Leicester City Women, having previously had a spell as the team’s interim coach.
Earlier this year, Heskey was ordered to pay a legal costs bill of almost £200,000, following a lengthy dispute with HMRC over an unpaid tax bill dating back to 2019.