Enzo Maresca Welcomes Most of Manchester City Squad Back for Training
Manchester City Manager Enzo Maresca has begun to assess the majority of his squad, excluding players whose nations have advanced in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the club’s preseason tour of Asia, Maresca has started to implement his vision with most of the players. Recently, the remaining squad members joined the training sessions, creating a full training environment, apart from the absence of Rodri.
All Manchester City Players Now in Training Except Rodri
The final group of Manchester City players who had yet to start preseason training joined their teammates yesterday. New recruits Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki trained under Maresca for the first time. However, Rodri remains missing from the lineup and is not expected to return until Friday, amid ongoing interest from Barcelona for his signature this summer.
With most of the squad now in training, Maresca has a valuable opportunity to work with key players. The return of Erling Haaland could help in creating a synergy in attacking strategies for the team. Elliot Anderson is now set to make his mark as a Manchester City player, and the quicker he adapts to Maresca’s tactics, the greater the benefit for the team. Additionally, players like Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Rayan Cherki, and Jeremy Doku are now under Maresca’s guidance, marking a promising phase for the team.
Focus Shifts to FA Community Shield Match Against Arsenal
As preparations ramp up, Manchester City gears up for their FA Community Shield match against Arsenal this Sunday in Cardiff. Maresca and his staff remain focused on overcoming the challenges presented by Mikel Arteta’s squad. Nonetheless, there are indications that further changes in the City roster may occur before the transfer window closes.
The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders are reportedly looking to secure two additional midfielders and possibly an attacking player. With Savinho likely to leave, the potential departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders add uncertainty to the squad’s future. Although Maresca has most of his team back for training, significant transformations might take place ahead of the transfer deadline.
In the meantime, the majority of the squad is now in preparation mode, minus Rodri, as Manchester City gears up for the FA Community Shield against Arsenal this weekend, followed by their Premier League opener against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
Enzo Maresca has had an opportunity to assess the majority of his Manchester City squad minus the players whose countries progressed to, or past, the quarter-final stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Maresca has begun the process of getting his ideas across to the majority of his squad throughout City’s preseason tour of Asis. Now the cavalry has begun preseason training with the rest of the Manchester City squad. Finally, Enzo Maresca has the opportunity to begin the process of working with his full squad with the exception of Rodri.
All of the Manchester City squad are now training, with the exception of one player.
Yesterday, the final group of players who hadn’t begun preseason training for Manchester City finally joined their teammates. Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki all trained under Enzo Maresca for the first time. The notable absentee was Rodri. Rodri isn’t scheduled to return to City until Friday. That is if he does at all given that Barcelona are determined to sign him this summer.
Enzo Maresca now has the opportunity to finally work with his full squad. This should prove to be invaluable to Maresca and his City team. Having Erling Haaland back should allow Maresca to establish a connection between Haaland and how this City side will attack. Elliot Anderson can finally begin life as a Manchester City player. The quicker that Anderson adapts to Enzo Maresca’s system, the better. Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku all loom as crucial players for Enzo Maresca. They have all now begun to get to work with their new manager, and that can only be viewed as a positive.
Attention has shifted towards this Sunday’s FA Community Shield clash with Arsenal but more upheaval of Enzo Maresca’s squad looms large.
Manchester City face Arsenal this Sunday in the FA Community Shield in Cardiff. The focus of Enzo Maresca and his team will be solely on the challenge posed by Mikel Arteta’s side. However, there could be more upheaval of the City squad to come before the transfer window closes.
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The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders are in the market for what seem to be two more midfielders. Also, they will likely be in the market for another attacking player. Savinho seems destined to leave City. The possibility that Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders could also depart the club is very real. So while Enzo Maresca finally has the majority of his squad back training, the Manchester City squad may have a completely different look by the time the transfer window closes.
For now, Enzo Maresca finally has a full squad to work with, minus Rodri. Manchester City’s preseason will now go up a gear as they prepare for the upcoming FA Community Shield fixture against Arsenal and next weekend’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on the following Sunday.
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