Enzo Maresca identifies next Manchester City captain after Bernardo Silva exit | OneFootball

Manchester City’s next club captain is expected to be named in the coming weeks, with Enzo Maresca potentially looking towards one of his central defensive names.

City’s first-team leadership group underwent a rare managerial intervention ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, when Pep Guardiola personally selected the captain instead of putting it to the traditional squad vote.

Following the exits of recent captains Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva was appointed to front a leadership group alongside centre-back Rúben Dias, striker Erling Haaland, and midfield star Rodri.

As incoming manager Enzo Maresca formally takes the reins at the Etihad Stadium this summer, this veteran leadership core will be tasked with guiding a changing dressing room and integrating high-profile arrivals to steer City back to domestic dominance.

Who will be the next Man City captain?

Now, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Enzo Maresca is planning to name Ruben Dias as his new captain at Manchester City, with La Liga giants Real Madrid simultaneously weighing up a potential move for the centre-back.

With Dias having captained the club on several occasions since joining from Benfica, it is further highlighted how he was looked at as Pep Guardiola’s unofficial vice-captain last season behind the now-departed Bernardo Silva.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, O’Rourke said on Dias, “There’s probably a big likelihood he will be captain now Bernardo Silva has moved. He’s obviously been captain before, so it’ll be interesting to see if he gets the armband under Maresca, or somebody else?

“Maresca wants to keep hold of the Portuguese international, especially with John Stones leaving the club. He will be keen to maintain some continuity in defence.

“Man City’s priority is to keep hold of Dias, but that’s probably not going to stop Real Madrid trying to sign him. If they get any indication that he could be prized away from the Etihad, I’m sure they will try and bring him to the Spanish capital.”

What is the latest on Ruben Dias to Real Madrid?

Speculation surrounding a blockbuster summer move linking Rúben Dias to Real Madrid intensified following the appointment of José Mourinho at the Bernabéu from Portuguese giants Benfica.

Seeking to rebuild his backline, Mourinho has placed his 29-year-old compatriot on a short list of central defensive targets, with reports suggesting Dias may be open to a new challenge following the departure of his close friend Bernardo Silva to the Spanish capital and the end of Pep Guardiola’s era.

Manchester City officials hold contractual leverage and have no desire to lose their defensive anchor ahead of Enzo Maresca’s arrival, especially given that the vocal leader remains securely under a long-term Etihad Stadium agreement through to June 2029.