Enzo Maresca’s first transfer target for Manchester City appears to have emerged | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola’s departure from his post as Manchester City manager was officially confirmed yesterday. Fabrizio Romano reported yesterday that it is only a matter of time before Enzo Maresca is confirmed as the next City manager. When Enzo Maresca is announced as City manager, his work will quickly begin as the Italian manager will start shaping what his squad and preseason plans will look like for the 2026-27 season. In terms of what players Maresca will look to add to his City squad, it has been reported that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will be a player that City will target. It seems like Enzo Maresca’s first transfer target as City manager will be a player that he knows exceptionally well.

Enzo Maresca reportedly wants Enzo Fernandez to join him at Manchester City.

Florian Plettenberg and Lucas Sixtus have reported for Sky Sports Germany that Enzo Maresca is eager to bring Enzo Fernandez with him to Manchester City. As per the Sky Sports report Maresca and Enzo Fernandez have a trusting and close relationship. The pair worked together during Maresca’s time as Chelsea manager. Furthermore, it is reported that the World Cup winning midfielder is a top transfer target for City ahead of the summer transfer window.

Miguel Delaney has reported for The Independent that Enzo Fernandez is expected to leave Chelsea this summer. Delaney further reports that Real Madrid are expected to launch a summer move for the Chelsea midfielder. Furthermore, Delaney reports that Manchester City are also interested in signing Enzo Fernandez. However, Delaney reports that City may only move for the Argentinian midfielder if Rodri departs the club this summer. Real Madrid are credited with an interest in signing Rodri as per Miguel Delaney’s report. Lastly, Delaney adds that Enzo Maresca and Enzo Fernandez have a strong relationship. The pair remained in close contact after Maresca left his post as Chelsea manager earlier this season.

Enzo Fernandez is an elite midfielder who could add bite, and quality in the final third to Manchester City’s midfield.

The Manchester City midfield will look vastly different next season. Bernardo Silva won’t be a part of Manchester City’s engine room. The City captain will leave the club at the end of this season. Mateo Kovacic could also depart the club, and questions surround where Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders fit into the City squad. Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is expected to land at the Etihad Stadium this summer. The England international will add tremendous tenacity, physicality, and technical quality to City’s midfield if City sign him as expected. Any potential City move for Enzo Fernandez would be separate from their move for Anderson.

It is easy to see why Enzo Maresca would want Enzo Fernandez to follow him to Manchester City. The Argentinian midfielder scored 15 goals and added 7 assists for Chelsea this season in 53 appearances in all competitions. Last season, the World Cup winner scored 9 goals and provided 17 assists in 53 appearances. Enzo Fernandez would add goals and creativity to Manchester City’s midfield. City do need that to complement what they already have.

Outside of having an excellent relationship with Enzo Maresca, Enzo Fernandez is a player who has tremendous bite in midfield. City do seem to need this, given how the Premier League has evolved. Like all Argentinian players, Fernandez is a feisty midfielder. He is good in a challenge and reads the game well when opponents have possession. In terms of linking the play in possession, Enzo Fernandez does this tremendously. He is adept at finding wingers in space from midfield. Considering Manchester City have a squad containing Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, and Phil Foden, Enzo Fernandez’s game looks to dovetail exceptionally well with the City squad.

Final thoughts.

Enzo Fernandez is an exceptional midfielder entering the prime of years of his career. Based on recent reports the possibility that Fernandez could leave Chelsea seems very real. It also would seem that Enzo Maresca is eager to bring the World Cup winner to the Etihad. Also, potentially, a midfield trio for City of Rodri, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez would be extremely powerful if City could put that group together this summer.

On the pitch, Enzo Fernandez looks to be an exceptional fit for Manchester City. It is easy to see why Enzo Maresca would want City to sign a player he shares an exceptionally close relationship with. It remains to be seen if City do grant Maresca his wish and move for the Chelsea midfielder during the summer transfer window.