Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says the club urgently needs to find a 'new Rodri' this summer. No transfer fee has been disclosed for the potential replacement.
Rodri’s Departure and the Search for a Replacement
Rodri confirmed his desire to leave the Etihad Stadium and joined Barcelona last week. City are expected to finalise a deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi during the transfer window, while Elliot Anderson has already been signed. Maresca believes these new recruits can fill the void left by Rodri.
Molding New Signings into Champions
Maresca pointed out that the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner had never lifted major silverware before joining City in 2019, underscoring the club’s track record of developing talent into top performers. He said, "Now the target for us is to try to find the new Rodri. How do we solve the problem? Try to find the new Rodri." He added that City can mould signings into becoming the best in class.
Learning from Past Departures
The manager echoed the philosophy of former boss Pep Guardiola, stating that any player wishing to leave can depart. He referenced past high-profile exits and arrivals: "When Sergio Aguero was here, everyone was worried and Erling Haaland arrived. Fernandinho? Rodri arrived. It is just about this." Maresca noted that the club has successfully replaced big-name stars such as David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Rodri, and Erling Haaland.
Squad Numbers and Target Signings
Maresca confirmed that he is looking for a squad of around 20 outfield players. City currently have 19 senior players, excluding summer signing Jeremy Monga. The target list includes Tottenham target Omar Marmoush, Newcastle target Nico Gonzalez, and Jack Grealish.
Deadline Day Pressure
"It doesn’t help that there are players that for different reasons want to leave, that is for sure," Maresca added. "But we need to adapt. There are 10 days to go, hopefully we can do the things that we need to do." He explained that the normal approach in the transfer window is to wait until the last week, as clubs try to keep players until the final moment before selling for more money. At the end of the window, the squad will be different but complete.
City’s Transfer Strategy
Maresca stressed that the club’s ability to find a new Rodri within the month is realistic, given the current transfer activity and the window’s remaining days. He remains confident that the new signings will help City maintain their competitive edge.
