Leadership group finally takes shape
Enzo Maresca has waited all summer to put the finishing touches on his captaincy set-up. With the transfer window now shut, the City boss has confirmed the full four-man leadership group that will carry the armband through the season.
Marc Guéhi and Gianluigi Donnarumma join Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland as the club's four captains, with the decision confirmed ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Coventry City.
The Italian had named Dias and Haaland as his first two captains before a ball was kicked, but deliberately held off on the remaining spots until the window had closed. Now that the squad is finalised, the picture is complete.
Dias, who has worn the armband in City's opening two Premier League victories over Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, was always the natural pick for a senior role. The Portuguese defender leads by example, and his early-season captaincy has looked comfortable.
Guéhi arrives at the Etihad with leadership pedigree already in place, having captained Crystal Palace before his move north. Donnarumma, meanwhile, has captained his country and has been operating at the highest level since his teenage years, so the armband is no novelty for the Italian goalkeeper either.
The quartet offers a blend of experience and authority that should serve City well across a long campaign. With the window shut and the group settled, Maresca can now focus on the football rather than the dressing-room politics.