Ruben Dias Named Captain for Community Shield as City Finalizes Leadership Group
Manchester City will see Ruben Dias don the captain’s armband when they face Arsenal in the Community Shield this Sunday. Manager Enzo Maresca has indicated that he will defer the final decision on the club’s leadership group until the close of the transfer window.
The upcoming Community Shield at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium marks the first competitive clash between Arsenal and City this season, with City undergoing significant changes over the summer.
One of the notable changes is the need for a new long-term captain following the exit of Bernardo Silva.
Additionally, uncertainty surrounds Rodri, as he has received a third bid from Barcelona and will miss the match due to a back injury.
Rather than rush into a decision, Maresca plans to wait until the transfer window closes to confirm his leadership structure for the upcoming season.
In a shift from the previous regime under Pep Guardiola, who allowed players to vote for their captain, Maresca aims to establish a four-member leadership group himself. Currently, Dias and Erling Haaland are the only confirmed members.
“At the moment, Ruben and Erling. But I want to wait until the end of the window and then pick two more,” Maresca said before the Community Shield.
“Ruben has shown during his time at this club how he is as a player in terms of leadership. It’s important for the captain and the leader to know that the reason they are captain is because I expect more from them,” he added.
Maresca emphasized that being captain does not offer additional freedom; rather, it comes with greater responsibility. He has already decided against naming Haaland as the first-choice captain, preferring to have immediate communication with his captain after goals, which he believes could be challenging if Haaland is busy celebrating.
Ruben Dias will captain City in the Community Shield, while Maresca continues to shape a permanent leadership group after a summer of change.
Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Manchester City will have Ruben Dias wearing the captain’s armband against Arsenal in Sunday’s Community Shield, but manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he is still delaying a permanent decision on the club’s leadership group until the transfer window closes.
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The Community Shield at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will provide the first competitive meeting between Arsenal and City this season, with City entering the campaign having undergone significant changes during the summer.
One of those changes is the search for a new long-term captain following the departure of Bernardo Silva.
Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images
Matters have been complicated further by uncertainty surrounding Rodri, who has attracted a third bid from Barcelona and is unavailable for Sunday’s match because of a back injury.
Rather than rush his decision, Maresca intends to wait until the transfer window has closed before confirming his leadership group for the season.
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The City manager has also moved away from the system used under Pep Guardiola, when the players voted for their captain.
Instead, Maresca wants to appoint a four-man leadership group himself, with Dias and Erling Haaland currently the only confirmed members.
“At the moment, Ruben and Erling. But I want to wait until the end of the window and then pick two more,” Maresca said ahead of the Community Shield.
Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
“Ruben has shown during his time at this club how he is as a player in terms of leadership. It’s important for the captain and the leader to know that the reason they are captain is because I expect more from them.
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“It’s not because I give them more freedom or advantage. It’s the opposite, the leadership group and captains have to show more and give more than the others.”
Maresca has already ruled out making Haaland his first-choice captain despite including the striker in the leadership group. The City manager has explained he wants to be able to speak with his captain immediately after goals are scored, something he believes would be difficult if Haaland were occupied celebrating.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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