Enzo Maresca's midfield choices are under scrutiny after City's 1-0 loss at Brighton — their second consecutive defeat.
Enzo Fernandez arrived from Chelsea on deadline day, a signing Maresca had pushed for given the pair's close relationship at Stamford Bridge. The Argentine has made a strong start to his City career. But the midfield balance around him looks off.
Against Brighton, Maresca started Ayyoub Bouaddi, Fernandez and Elliot Anderson. That trio played 55 minutes together. City lost 1-0. Anderson was easily City's man of the match.
Bouaddi was replaced by Rayan Cherki in the 55th minute. Fernandez came off for Nico O'Reilly in the 64th. By then the game had slipped away.
Cherki has often been the one sacrificed when games aren't going City's way this season. On the weekend, it was Bouaddi. The pattern shifts, the result doesn't.
This came after a seven-match winning run in the Premier League. Now consecutive losses to Brighton and Aston Villa have raised questions. Maresca's midfield decisions are at the heart of them.