Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca admits there are “still things to do” as he prepares his squad for the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
England midfielder Elliot Anderson has moved to Manchester from Nottingham Forest in a £116 million summer transfer, having had a fine 2026 World Cup campaign with the Three Lions.
Spain star Rodri also shone in the USA, Canada and Mexico, playing a starring role as the Spaniards were crowned world champions after toppling a tenacious Argentina team 1-0 in a damp squib of a final in New York.
Rodri linked with Madrid move
Rodri has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and the 30-year-old midfield general has been linked with a summer move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Anderson has arguably been recruited as the long-term successor to Rodri – but Maresca brushed off speculation around the latter’s future.
The former Chelsea manager told the press: “We have to say that around big players there is always speculation.
“I’m not worried about that. I think it’s normal.
“Because they [Spain] won the World Cup and he [Rodri] was the best player or one of the best players, I think every manager wants to have Rodri.
“But now surgery on Monday, and he needs a holiday.
“He needs to rest. He needs to recover and then he will be back here with us.”
READ MORE: Man City news: Elliot Anderson takes swipe at Man Utd after £116m transfer
‘A few things to do’
Jack Grealish is back in Manchester after spending last season on loan at Everton, while goalkeeper James Trafford has been linked with a move to Leeds United.
Maresca added: “There are still a few things to do, but we are in the process of doing that.”
Man City open their bid for the 2026/27 Premier League title with a home encounter against Bournemouth on Sunday, August 23 (2pm kick-off UK time).
And Maresca knows he has big shoes to fill having taken the reins from Pep Guardiola, who called time on his trophy-laden 10-year spell with Man City at the end of last season.
Maresca up for the ‘challenge’
The former Leicester City manager is now in his third spell at Man City after coaching the elite development squad and serving as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022/23 season.
Maresca said on Sky Sports: “I have to say that it’s a privilege.
“I’ve said many times that I consider Pep probably the best coach in the world of the last 20, 25 years.
“But again, it’s a challenge. The history of [following] the manager with many years in the same club always struggled a little bit – after Sir Alex [Ferguson], after Arsène [Wenger].
“It’s a challenge to try to do the right things immediately for this organisation, for the fans, for everyone.
“I think the organisation is the main thing.
“This club, this organisation, they had three managers in 17 years. This is not normal, it doesn’t happen often.
“So this is probably one of the [reasons] that I’m confident we can do a great job.”
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