Citizen's Diary
All change at the Etihad after £451 million all-you-can-eat transfer binge.
New era at the Etihad begins with huge transfer spending
The summer window has come and gone, bringing a close to Enzo Maresca’s first as Manchester City Head Coach. Busy is an understatement. The Citizens have a completely new look this season - and I don’t mean Erling Haaland’s buzzcut.
City haven't merely refreshed the squad: they've dismantled the engine room of the Guardiola era. A complete overhaul of their midfield has seen Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez leave the club.
For the best part of a decade, you knew what you were going to get from a Manchester City midfield: that dominant well-oiled machine that knew how to recycle play and suffocate teams with endless possession.
But now that isn’t as clear.
In the past, they’ve managed to replace one great player with another: Haaland for Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne for David Silva, and Rodri for Fernandinho.
The difference is that the Blues are not just replacing one player this time. They're moving from one era to another.
That is Maresca’s real challenge. A £451 million challenge.
England star Elliot Anderson joined at the start of July for a mammoth £116 million, becoming the most expensive British player ever until Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea later that month.
Anderson was swiftly joined by Moroccan prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi for £82 million from Lille. The 18-year-old racked up almost 100 appearances for the French club before making the switch to City.
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Finally, Enzo Fernández got his move to Manchester on deadline day, equalling the most expensive deal in British footballing history. City parted with a £125 million for the Chelsea midfielder, who reunites with his former manager.
If there is one reason for City supporters to be optimistic about Maresca's midfield rebuild, it is his track record of getting goals from midfield. During his time at Chelsea, Fernández registered 34 goal contributions under the Italian.
Maresca has also focused on improving the squad in other departments. Brazilian winger Allan has signed from Palmeiras for £32 million, and Iliman Ndiaye came from Everton for £65 million. The squad is strong in the wide areas.
All in all, the Citizens have spent more than £450 million this summer, but has their real asset - a focal point for the new era - been at the Etihad all along?
Rayan Cherki has started this season wonderfully, playing a starring role in the opening two games. His performance against Crystal Palace was particularly impressive, taking the game into his own hands after telling his boss to “give me five minutes and there will be no need to change me.”
He has taken plenty of stick this week in the media for his boldness. Former United stars Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes criticised the midfielder on their podcast, calling his comments “disrespectful” towards the new gaffer.
Personally, I like to see a bit of that. Cherki believes in his own ability and backs himself to influence games in the best league in the world. Judging by the start he has made to the campaign, he has good reason to.
The Frenchman signed for the Blues last summer for a minuscule £35 million. Compared with some of the fees chucked around in today’s market, he is arguably one of the deals of the decade.
With all the window work done, the pressure is on Maresca to prove his own worth to City.
The Citizens are back in action on Saturday against Coventry City at home. They are looking to continue their perfect start to the league before making the journey to Portugal on Tuesday, where they kickstart their European campaign against Porto.