Manchester City's midfield has been significantly strengthened with the arrivals of Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson, providing manager Enzo Maresca with numerous tactical options. The Premier League leaders have integrated these new signings alongside existing squad members to create a versatile engine room.
Fernandez joined for £125 million after helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup. Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. City currently sit first in the Premier League with nine points from three wins, having scored seven goals and conceded two. Their next challenge is an away match against Manchester United on September 13th.
How will Enzo Maresca use his new midfielders?
Maresca has stated his intention to use Anderson as the deep-lying fulcrum of the team. "If you have a really good No 6, it is enough," the manager said. "But if you have dynamic players who can play in different positions, that is perfect." Anderson demonstrated this role against Coventry City on Saturday, completing 146 passes - the most by a City player since Rodri in December 2023. He attempted 155 passes with 143 completed, achieving 92.3% accuracy. This made him the first midfielder to attempt 150+ passes in a Premier League game with 92%+ accuracy since Rodri's performance nearly three years ago.
Fernandez has occupied a wide-right, advanced central role in Maresca's system. The Argentine was described as a deep-lying playmaker who later developed into a box-crasher. City had to fight until deadline day to secure his signature after lengthy negotiations. The club also targeted Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille but did not complete that acquisition.
What does this mean for Manchester City's tactical setup?
The midfield rebuild comes after significant summer departures. Rodri and Bernardo Silva left the club, and Pep Guardiola's tenure ended. Maresca acknowledged the challenge of replacing such influential figures, stating the target is to find the new Rodri. He expressed satisfaction with his current options, saying "Yeah, absolutely" when asked about his midfield resources.
In recent matches, Maresca has experimented with different configurations. Rayan Cherki played as the string-puller higher up the pitch before being replaced by Phil Foden after 66 minutes against Palace, though Foden was less influential in that appearance. Nico O'Reilly featured against Palace last week but is currently sidelined along with Iliman Ndiaye and Jérémy Doku, as shown on the club's injuries page. A fortnight ago, Marc Guehi was deployed in midfield instead of Mateo Kovacic, showing the manager's willingness to adapt.
How do the new signings fit into the first-team squad?
Anderson's performance data from his time at Nottingham Forest indicates his suitability for Maresca's system. Last summer, he had the most touches in the Premier League while playing for Forest. His immediate impact at City suggests he can shoulder the responsibility of being the team's primary distributor from deep positions.
Fernandez brings World Cup-winning pedigree and versatility. His ability to operate in advanced areas gives Maresca flexibility in attack. The manager now has multiple players who can fulfill different midfield functions, allowing for tactical adjustments based on opponents and match situations. This depth will be tested during the busy schedule ahead, which includes the Manchester derby and European commitments. Fans can track the team's progress through the standings and fixtures pages.
Manchester City made several impressive sales before the transfer window closed, balancing their substantial investments. The club's business has positioned them strongly at the top of the table with a perfect record. Their next match is at Old Trafford against 11th-placed Manchester United.
