Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Rodri will undergo surgery on Monday but addressed speculation that the Spaniard might leave Manchester City, insisting “he will be back with us” when he recovers.

World Cup champion and Golden Ball winner Rodri has been linked with a move away, having opened the door to a return to Madrid earlier in the year.

However, his main focus will be on an upcoming minor back surgery which is expected to rule him out for the start of the Premier League season.

Maresca, speaking in his first press conference as City boss, is not worried about the transfer talk and confirmed he wants to keep the midfielder for his first season.

“First of all I have to say, that around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that,” Maresca said. “I think it is normal, also because they won the World Cup, because he is one of the best players.

“I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player. But now, surgery on Monday. He needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us.”

Maresca did recognise that City still have “a few things to do” in the transfer window but refused to be drawn into conversation about the futures of Jack Grealish and James Trafford.

On his own departure from Chelsea, he said he had “nothing to add” after the Blues effectively blamed his abrupt resignation for their dismal 2025/26 season upon him joining City.

Maresca succeeds Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium after the Catalan stepped down at the end of last term, following a glittering 10-year spell which included 20 trophies.

“I want to say it is a privilege because the reason why the club decided to go for me, that is a privilege,” said Maresca, who also paid tribute to the late Kevin Keegan.

“I have said many times, I consider Pep the best coach in the world in the last 20-25 years. It is a challenge. It is nice, it is a privilege.

“Also the history of the manager with many years in the same club, they struggle a bit. Sir Alex [Ferguson], Arsene [Wenger]. But it is also a challenge to do the right things.”