Maresca: I'm so lucky we have signed Anderson, Bouaddi and Fernández

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Manchester City F.C.

·12 September 2026

Maresca: I'm so lucky we have signed Anderson, Bouaddi and Fernández

Enzo Maresca believes the addition of a wealth of world class talent across the summer transfer widow demonstrated once again City’s capacity for renewal and regeneration.

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It’s fair to say the summer of 2026 proved a transformative one for the Club in every way.

Maresca, for one, was appointed as City manager in succession to Pep Guardiola who decided to step down in late May after an incredible and record-breaking decade at the Etihad helm.

On the playing side meanwhile a host of established elite players such as Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Rodri and Nathan Ake all moved on to embark on new challenges abroad.

For many sides the departure of so much experienced, world class talent would represent a huge and daunting challenge.

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However, in their wake of their exits, City – as so often in the past - moved both swiftly and decisively in the summer transfer window, bringing in a host of exciting fresh talent – not least stellar midfield trio Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

For a grateful Maresca, it was just the latest example of the clear and strategic succession planning that has been the hallmark of City’s approach under both former Director of Football Txiki Begiristain and his successor Hugo Viana.

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“I said already I feel very lucky because these three players arrive - the three midfielders Elliot, Enzo and Ayyoub,” Maresca said addressing the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

“I also said that this club when Sergio Aguero left everyone was worried, [then] Erling arrived.

“Fernandinho [left] - Rodri [had] arrived - David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne [had] arrived.

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“So, one of the big achievements of this club is to replace these big players and it’s not easy.

“Before Txiki [Begiristain] when he was here, now the club with Hugo [Viana we achieve it].

“So, I feel very lucky for sure as it’s not easy to replace these players as they are top players.

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“I don’t pay much attention about the price because I don’t pay the money. It’s more about good players.

“The ones arrive here - and the ones that arrive at United - they are all top players.

“This is the most important thing.

“How much the club pay for them I already said I think it’s not correct to judge players on how much we pay because the market now is crazy.”

Though the new season is less than a month old, the impact of City’s array of new arrivals has already been crystal clear.

Ahead of the weekend’s eagerly awaited trip to Old Trafford, City sit second in the Premier League table with a chance to return to the top having already recorded three wins out of three.

Meanwhile, the Blues began our 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a superb 2-0 victory away at FC Porto in midweek.

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Across those results, the impact of new midfield trio Anderson, Fernández and Bouaddi has already been more than evident.

And looking ahead both to Old Trafford and beyond, the boss said their contribution and influence will only go from strength to strength.

“[It has been] Very good. It’s the day by day [work] that defines the relationship between them,” Maresca added.

“They are working well. We saw the other day [in Porto] starting with Ayyoub and Enzo; the game before that [at home to Coventry] it was Enzo and Elliot.

“It’s important that when we decide which players are going to start, they are ready and then we need them from the bench and that they are going to be ready.

“[Yes, Elliot will be] very important. But not only Elliot.

“For sure he will be one of the main players if we decide for him to start [at United].

“But not only him - we need a complete performance to win there.”