Marmoush brace can't silence Maresca exit talk

Goals not enough to settle striker's future

Omar Marmoush did his talking on the pitch with two goals in City's 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid. The Egyptian international's brace was the kind of performance that normally settles a striker's standing.

Instead, the noise around his future has only grown louder. Enzo Maresca has raised further questions about the forward's situation, and the manager's latest remarks have done little to calm the speculation.

The win itself was a solid pre-season statement. But the headlines since have been less about the result and more about what happens next for Marmoush.

Maresca's comments will do little to quieten the chatter. For a player who has just produced a match-winning display, the timing feels off.

Two goals against a side of Atletico's calibre is no accident. Yet the manager's words suggest he sees something different, or at least is not prepared to rule out a sale.

The fanbase has reacted in predictably split fashion. Some see a player worth keeping, others sense the writing is on the wall.

It is a curious dynamic. A player scoring twice in a statement pre-season win, only for the manager's words to dominate the conversation.

The goals may have been the story on the pitch, but off it, the speculation is doing the talking. Whether Marmoush stays or goes remains unclear. What is clear is that Maresca is not shutting the door on a departure, and that alone is enough to keep the rumour mill churning.