Enzo Maresca has been impressed with a young defender who looks like a Manchester City centre-back | OneFootball

Everything about how Vitor Reis plays has him earmarked as the prototypical Manchester City centre-back. Reis is cool and composed in possession and under pressure and the Brazilian defender reads the game exceptionally well. Those are traits, coupled with Reis’ prodigious talent and potential which sees Vitor Reis pegged as a key part of Manchester City’s future. Vitor Reis has put in two impressive performances in Manchester City’s two preseason friendlies against Inter Milan and the K-League All-Stars. Vitor Reis has impressed Enzo Maresca, but the Manchester City manager has also revealed that a decision on where Vitor Reis will spend next season is yet to be made.

Enzo Maresca likes what he has seen from Vitor Reis during Manchester City’s preseason.

Following on from his impressive second half performance against Inter Milan, Vitor put in another cool and composed display in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over the K-League All-Stars. What has stood out about Vitor Reis’ two performances in Manchester City’s two preseason friendlies is how much more confident and mature he is as a player. Reis spent last season on loan at Girona, and his time at Girona playing in La Liga has clearly accelerated his development.

Enzo Maresca faced the media after his team beat the K-League All-Stars 3-1 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The Manchester City manager revealed that he has been impressed with Vitor Reis throughout Manchester City’s preseason. However, the Italian manager revealed that a decision on what the best move for the development of the Brazilian defender will come when the Manchester City squad returns to Manchester. Speaking on Vitor Reis, Maresca said: “Vitor is working very well. I am happy with him. The only thing is for most of the young players here with us, the plan is to finish pre-season and then take the final decision. And we will take the best decision for them, not just us.”

Is the best step for Vitor Reis to stay at Manchester City or spend another season out on loan?

Vitor Reis looks ready to play consistent football in the Premier League or at a top club. For his development as a player, Reis needs to be playing on a consistent basis. The Brazilian defender looms as the future of the Manchester City defence, so there is no chance that City will entertain selling Vitor Reis. That option is not on the table.

However, another loan move for Vitor Reis may be on the horizon. Enzo Maresca has hinted at this. The idea that Vitor Reis could be Manchester City’s fifth-choice centre-back this season does have merit. However, Reis may not play often enough to further grow as a defender if that were to occur. Perhaps a loan move to a Premier League club, or a club in the Champions League is the next step for Vitor Reis. That way he can further grow as a player before returning to Manchester City next season ready to become a key centre-back in City’s defence.

Enzo Maresca has been pleased with what Vitor Reis has shown during Manchester City’s preseason. Maresca has also revealed that a decision on how Vitor Reis spends the 2026-27 season is yet to be made. Whatever occurs, Vitor Reis figures to be a prominent component in Manchester City’s defence for the future. It is just a matter of when that will occur, whether this season or next, and if a loan move is again on the cards for Vitor Reis.