Why Manchester City are so eager to bolster their midfield stood out in the first half against Inter Milan | OneFootball

Manchester City have embarked on a rebuild of their midfield this summer. So far, Elliot Anderson has joined the club from Nottingham Forest. Anderson figures to be a prominent player for Enzo Maresca’s side. Watching Manchester City’s midfield perform in the first half of their first preseason friendly against Inter Milan, you could see what role Anderson will play in Manchester City’s midfield. However, Manchester City’s midfield rebuild isn’t yet complete. It was easy to see why City are so keen to further bolster their midfield based on how the first half unfolded in their 1-1 draw and subsequent penalty shootout defeat to Inter Milan.

Why Manchester City are bidding to bolster their midfield really stood out in the first half against Inter Milan.

Enzo Maresca started Tijjani Reijnders, Mateo Kovacic and Phil Foden in midfield against Inter Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday. None of those three players are what you would term a number six or a defensive midfielder. Foden played an advanced role in midfield and helped Manchester City’s four-man high press. Reijnders and Kovacic were tasked with shielding City’s backline.

This duo had mixed results in this role. On occasions, especially in the game’s first half-hour, Inter did have success playing through Manchester City’s high press and they also succeeded in bypassing Manchester City’s midfield. Kovacic and Reijnders are not suited to the role they were tasked with fulfilling against Inter. It isn’t their strong suits. Reijnders is suited to getting forward from midfield and Kovacic is a number eight who does his best work with a player like Rodri behind him.

The answer as to why Manchester City want to bolster their midfield was evident in the first half against Inter Milan. You could picture Elliot Anderson and Rodri playing the roles that Reijnders and Kovacic were asked to play, provided of course that Rodri doesn’t leave City this summer. Also, the Ayyoub Bouaddi links make sense as he could also fill the same role. This was clear to see in the opening 45 minutes at the Kai Tak Stadium.

Nico Gonzalez and Rico Lewis were also very good in midfield during the second half against Inter Milan.

At halftime of Saturday’s friendly, Enzo Maresca brought on Nico Gonzalez and moved Rico Lewis from right-back into midfield. Inter Milan also made a series of substitutions at halftime of the friendly in Hong Kong which did alter the match. However, it was impossible to ignore how much better City looked with Nico Gonzalez playing his familiar holding role in midfield. He had Rico Lewis for support with Rayan Ait-Nouri inverting from left-back and at times Vitor Reis stepped into midfield. This system gave City the control they need and also showed why City are so eager to rebuild their midfield this summer.

It isn’t a criticism of Mateo Kovacic or Tijjani Reijnders to say they weren’t suited to the midfield role they were tasked with playing against Inter Milan. It isn’t their ideal role. Also, friendlies are the perfect setting to try such moves to learn whether or not they are viable options when the 2026-27 season kicks off.

Manchester City looked much better with Nico Gonzalez in his ideal role. Nico does look like he could be important for Enzo Maresca’s side. Elliot Anderson will be crucial for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. Hopefully Rodri stays at Manchester City to play in his familiar role. But it is obvious why City are eager to sign a midfielder like Ayyoub Bouaddi as Enzo Maresca needs this type of player to play in front of his defence.