Enzo Maresca has confirmed Manchester City are actively seeking to add more leaders to the squad before the transfer window closes. The manager specifically named Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández as a target to address the leadership void left by several high-profile summer departures.
“We have experienced players, for sure we have leaders,” he told a news conference on Thursday. “Now we need to wait four or five more days when the transfer window closes to see if we can add one or two more captains to Rúben and Erling.” Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland are the club’s designated captains.
The pursuit of Fernández, a 25-year-old Argentina midfielder, follows the exits of Rodri, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Aké. Chelsea’s reported deadline for a bid passed earlier in August, but City are expected to make a move. Maresca worked with Fernández during his time at Chelsea and values his captaincy experience.
Bouaddi ready for debut
City have already made a major signing this week, completing an £85.6 million deal for 18-year-old Moroccan forward Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Maresca confirmed the teenager is ready to be involved immediately. “Yes, he is ready,” the manager said. “He was working with his former club so he’s fit.”
Maresca praised Bouaddi’s maturity but stressed the need for patience. “He doesn’t look 18, he looks already mature and this is important,” he said. “In this case we need to go slowly because he’s very young, he came from a different country and he needs adaptation.”
Squad fitness and futures
In team news, Matheus Nunes is a doubt for the Palace match and Jeremy Doku remains sidelined. Elliot Anderson is fully fit after suffering cramp in his debut last weekend. The future of Jack Grealish is also uncertain, with the winger linked with a loan move to Sunderland.
Maresca offered no guarantee Grealish would stay. “Jack is here until the day that he’s not here,” the manager stated. “It’s my duty to try to help him to give us the best and then we’ll see in the next four-five days what happens.” City’s current squad status can be tracked on the official squad page.
The manager also indicated the club could look for another forward, with Omar Marmoush expected to join Tottenham and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo being monitored. City travel to Selhurst Park on Friday evening looking to build on last Sunday’s 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth, secured by late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol.
