MAURICIO POCHETTINO is ready to unleash a young Lionel Messi on Gillingham in the EFL Cup tonight. looks certain to leave the Etihad in JanuaryThen in the spring there was another rant as he critisised director of football Txiki Begiristain over the treatment of out-going boss Manuel Pellegrini. Rovers earlier in the season, the 21-year-old was at last rewarded with 40 minutes of cup action. Van Aanholt travelled with the team to London yesterday for their EFL Cup clash at QPR tonight. The Sunderland boss initially named the Dutch defender in his starting line-up for Sundays clash at Tottenham. The east London academy product, who had a spell on loan at Forest last year, also praised the senio. The former Ivory Coast international last turned out for City in the second leg of their Champions League Qualifying match against Steaua Bucharest. The only one he played in was the second leg of the European qualifier against Steaua Bucharest when, frankly, it didnt really matter. Even last season, when his powers looked to be on the wane, he stepped up to score the decisive penalty and ensure his team lifted another league cup. Getty Images6Alex Grimaldo was being scouted by Pep Guardiola during Benfica clash with BragaGetty I.