Enzo Maresca has called on Manchester City players to place their trust in his vision as he prepares to lead the club following Pep Guardiola’s departure. With the new Premier League season set to begin in 17 days, City are focused on reclaiming the title from Arsenal. Their opening fixture will be against Bournemouth, the same team that secured a 1-1 draw with City in May, a result that ultimately influenced last season's title race.
The club is undergoing significant changes after the departures of key players Bernardo Silva, John Stones, and Nathan Ake, who all left following Guardiola’s exit. Additionally, speculation continues surrounding the future of midfielder Rodri, who remains on a post-World Cup break alongside several other first-team regulars.
To reinforce his squad, Maresca has been backed by the club’s management with a record-breaking transfer deal, reportedly agreed at an initial £116 million, to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. However, the absence of a core group of players for pre-season has presented challenges for the new manager as he seeks to rapidly implement his strategies.
After a 3-1 friendly victory over the K-League All Stars in Seoul, Maresca emphasized the importance of player effort and trust in the new system. He noted that around eight or nine key players had yet to rejoin training following international duties, which partly explains why the team has not reached peak performance. “When they are here, they make the effort to do the things we have been trying to do since day one,” Maresca said, adding that once the squad is complete, he expects the team to improve further.
The friendly match itself saw City succeed despite challenging conditions in the sweltering heat. Goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Divin Mubama secured the win. Maresca expressed satisfaction not only with the result but also with the players’ willingness to adapt and maintain effort throughout the 95 minutes. Comparing the performance to a previous friendly loss against Inter Milan, he noted improvement in several areas.
Maresca also addressed individual player performances amid ongoing transfer discussions. He praised the work of Tijjani Reijnders, who scored during the match, despite reported links to Nottingham Forest and Galatasaray. Regarding Savinho, who featured in the second half and is reportedly a target for Tottenham, Maresca reiterated the club’s commitment to supporting players who remain at the club but acknowledged the uncertainty the open transfer window brings.
“We need to be ready for that,” Maresca said, underscoring the importance of adaptability during this transitional period. As the new season approaches, the Manchester City squad and coaching staff face the dual challenge of integrating new signings, regaining full fitness across the team, and competing to retake the Premier League crown.