Iliman Ndiaye's first outing in a City shirt offered a glimpse of the threat he brings, even if the scoreline stayed modest. A 1-0 win over Coventry at the Etihad on Saturday was settled by Erling Haaland's first-half strike, with both goalkeepers kept busy, but the afternoon belonged largely to the new arrival.

The Senegal international, signed from Everton on deadline day for £65m, played 87 minutes on his debut. He created a chance, had a shot, and perhaps most tellingly, was willing to run at his man. Seven dribbles attempted, two completed, four crosses, two fouls won — the numbers tell of a winger who wants the ball and isn't shy about taking responsibility.

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What might surprise those who watched him at Goodison Park is the defensive side. Ndiaye won two tackles, made a clearance and a recovery, and — rather against the stereotype of a flair player — came out on top in seven duels. It was a complete enough display that Rob Edwards, the former Wolves manager, was moved to praise him on Match of the Day.

"Ndiaye looks really dangerous, especially in one-on-one situations and this game really suits him. He is playing as well as anyone at the moment," Edwards said.

Ndiaye's route to City was not straightforward. A proposed move to Tottenham collapsed, and Everton ultimately accepted a fee well below the £80m that some decision-makers were tipped to hold out for, with three years still left on his contract. Financial demands proved decisive, with his exit following the cancellation of a proposed £40m move to Nottingham Forest for Harrison Armstrong. Football's transfer market rarely makes sense; occasionally that works in your favour.

He was not the only new face. Enzo Fernandez also made his debut following his £125m move from Chelsea, while Ayyoub Bouaddi was handed a home debut from the bench. City have now won their opening three Premier League games as they look to close the gap on Arsenal.

Enzo Maresca, hardly one for hyperbole, was direct when asked about Ndiaye's arrival.

"He's so good, he's so good," Maresca said. "In the last two days, you can see already how good he is in terms of 1v1, in terms of in the last third, inside the box. I'm very happy to have him with us."

Ndiaye can operate on either flank, and with Jeremy Doku still to return, he offers Maresca a dangerous option from the bench or from the start. On this evidence, City may have found a bargain — even at £65m.

When Frank Lampard walks out at the Etihad on Saturday, he will do so as one of a rare breed. Few have taken in a Premier League fixture at this stadium as both a player and a manager. His return, though, comes with Coventry City still hunting for their first top-flight point following a 25-year absence from the division.

The Blues, by contrast, are purring. Six points from six after a late win over Bournemouth and that commanding 4-1 dismantling of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night. A perfect start, in other words, and one Maresca will want to preserve against a side that has found life back in the big time chastening so far.

City rounded off a frantic transfer window by completing deals for Allan, Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez, adding firepower to a squad already reshaped by the earlier arrivals of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. With Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland looking to build on that excellent showing against the Eagles, there could be as many as three debuts for the home side.

Praise from a Familiar Face

Lampard, who spent a season in City colours back in 2014/15 under Manuel Pellegrini — making 38 appearances across all competitions — had plenty of warm words for the man in the opposite dugout. He has followed Maresca's path closely, particularly since the Italian took the Chelsea job.

"He's had a very, very good career," Lampard said. "I've followed his career path and obviously when he goes to Chelsea I follow it slightly more closely."

The Coventry boss acknowledged the scale of the task Maresca inherited. Following Pep Guardiola is not a job many would envy.

"Nothing but good things to say in terms of him as a coach, he's had a very good career and goes into what is a tough job, to follow one of the greatest managers we've ever seen in Pep Guardiola. That's not easy."

And yet Lampard sees no reason for concern. With the tools at his disposal, he backed Maresca to thrive.

"Absolutely I see that side of it, but also very good foundations for him to continue his good work with the team, the quality he's got there," he added.

Those foundations were tested in August. The win over Bournemouth was fraught with tension, carrying the added weight of being Maresca's first game at the Etihad. The nerves have since settled. Saturday offers the chance to make it three from three and keep the early momentum rolling.

The Senegal international comes into the side for Phil Foden, the only alteration from the lineup that beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend. Foden drops to a bench that also features Matheus Nunes, back in contention after missing that trip to south London.

Lampard's return to the top flight

Coventry arrive for their first Premier League meeting with City in some years, having come up from the Championship last season. Frank Lampard's side have lost both of their opening fixtures, while Maresca's men have won both of theirs. The form guide points one way; the occasion may have other ideas.

This is the third league game of the season for both clubs, and the contrast in early momentum could hardly be starker.

City's only absentee is Jeremy Doku, still working his way back from the calf injury picked up in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. Otherwise, Maresca has a full hand to choose from.

Enzo Fernandez is among the substitutes, as is Nunes. New arrival Allan, though, has not been included in the matchday squad at all.

Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal behind a back four of Abdukodir, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol. Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly anchor midfield, with Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo supporting Erling Haaland up front.

The bench reads Rulli, Kovačić, Fernández, Aït-Nouri, Nunes, Bouaddi, Foden, McAidoo and Lewis.

Kick-off at the Etihad is imminent.

The departure of Pep Guardiola has left a void that no amount of silver polish can fill. But as Ruben Dias sees it, the transition under Enzo Maresca is less about revolution and more about refinement.

Speaking about the early days of the new regime, the Portuguese defender offered a measured take on what has altered and what remains untouched. “Obviously, lots of things have changed but, in the end, not changed that much.”

That might sound like a contradiction, but Dias is quick to explain. The core identity — the relentless pursuit of possession, the suffocating control — persists. “Overall, it’s very much a game we were used to playing,” he said, pointing out that the real differences lie in the details, in the specific moments of a match where Maresca’s fingerprints are visible.

New energy, same principles

What has shifted, according to Dias, is the atmosphere. He spoke of the “new energy” Maresca has introduced, along with the manager’s specific ideas both with and without the ball. It is a subtle but significant change — the framework stays familiar, but the interpretation is fresh.

Having plenty of possession remains one of City’s “main characteristics”, Dias insisted. That much has not changed, nor is it likely to. What Maresca has added, however, is a layer of tactical nuance that the players are already embracing.

“The players are already buying into the idea,” Dias said.

Early evidence supports that claim. City have taken six points from their opening two Premier League games, a perfect start that suggests the transition, while not seamless, is at least moving in the right direction.

For a club accustomed to Guardiola’s meticulous methods, the prospect of a new voice could have been jarring. Instead, Dias’s words paint a picture of continuity wrapped in novelty — the same song, played with a slightly different rhythm.

There is a particular kind of player who shapes a dressing room without ever being handed the armband. At Manchester City this season, that player is Phil Foden.

When Enzo Maresca confirmed the club's captaincy group for the 2026-27 campaign — Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guehi — Foden's name was absent. The omission was notable, not least because Foden had made his ambition clear at the start of City's preseason tour of Asia, openly stating his desire to be considered for a leadership role.

Maresca, however, does not see it as a snub. Speaking yesterday, the City boss made plain that he regards the Stockport lad as a captain in all but title.

"I was thinking about Phil, because he is one of the guys from the house. He's not in that group, but for me he is also one of the captains; one of the players that belongs to that group."

There is a certain logic to the manager's framing. Foden came through the academy at a time when the pathway from youth to first team was more aspiration than expectation. That journey grants him a standing that no transfer fee can buy. Maresca's point was that Foden's history at the club means he will help set the standards, regardless of any official designation.

On the pitch, Foden has been doing his talking in the only currency that matters. In Friday's 4-1 win at Crystal Palace, he registered two assists, lively down the right and central to a result that carried real weight. What pleased Maresca most, reportedly, was the way Foden shrugged off two gilt-edged misses to keep influencing the game. There is a maturity in that — the refusal to let a squandered chance poison the next ten minutes.

At 26, Foden sits in the prime of his career, and among the more experienced heads in a squad that has turned over considerably in recent windows. He may not be in the formal leadership group, but the manager's words suggest his voice carries just as far without the armband. Sometimes the title matters less than the belonging.

Manchester City's summer midfield rebuild very nearly looked very different. Before Ayyoub Bouaddi walked through the door, the club had spent months chasing Bayern Munich's Aleksandar Pavlović — a chase that ultimately ran into a dead end.

City's interest in the 22-year-old was not a fleeting thing. First contact came as early as March, and the club made clear they were willing to go big: around €100 million (£85.8 million) was the figure floating about. For a player who came through Bayern's academy and now wears the Germany shirt, that kind of money tends to get a conversation started.

It did. Bayern, well aware of City's interest, watched on. Pavlović, for his part, did not say no outright. He told City he needed time to think. And think he did — before deciding to stay put in Bavaria.

No formal offer was ever lodged with Bayern. In the end, it never needed to be.

Had Pavlović said yes, he would be a City player this season.

Instead, City turned to the second name on their list. In Ayyoub Bouaddi they have landed an 18-year-old from Lille — a younger, longer-term prospect, and one of three new faces in midfield this summer alongside Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez.

Whether Bouaddi grows into the player Pavlović already is remains to be seen. But the club's patience in waiting out their first choice, then pivoting cleanly to the alternative, says something about how they go about their business. The pursuit of Pavlović may have fallen short. The plan, in the end, did not.

Vitor Reis will be given the opportunity to stake a claim in Enzo Maresca's first-team plans this season, according to sources close to the club. The Brazilian centre-back has impressed the City boss during his opening months at the Etihad, with the door now firmly open for him to fight for a place at the back.

It has been a winding road for Reis since his £29.6 million arrival from Palmeiras in January 2025. He joined the Brazilian club as a ten-year-old, lifted trophies at every Academy stage, and made his debut in June 2024 before quickly becoming a starter under Abel Ferreira. But his first six months in Manchester were quiet—just one start, against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup—before the club sent him to Girona for the season to get minutes.

That spell in Spain was not without its frustrations. Girona were relegated, but Reis came through it with significant development under Míchel, starting 36 La Liga games and contributing a goal and an assist. His pace in covering counter-attacks was a standout, and his overall profile—physique, technical ability, composure on the ball—has drawn comparisons to John Stones, who has since departed for Inter.

Until the close of the summer window on Tuesday night, there was real uncertainty around Reis' future. With any exit now off the table, City have no opportunity to bring in a replacement. That suits Reis fine. He is determined to be a key part of the club's future and is said to be focused on doing his best at the Etihad this season.

Maresca first took note of Reis during pre-season, when City travelled to Hong Kong and South Korea. The No.22 lined up against Inter Milan, the K-League Allstars and Atlético de Madrid, and was highlighted for his quality on the ball. Within Maresca's system, Reis could feature centrally or on the right of a three-man line in build-up play; without the ball, he is most likely to operate as a traditional centre-half.

The competition is stiff—Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol are all vying for spots—but Reis has the tools and the backing to make it interesting. He will keep working hard, ready for any minute he gets.

According to TEAMtalk, the 26-year-old will assess his situation again when the transfer window reopens if he doesn't feature prominently in the first half of the season. It's a familiar refrain for a player who has long been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Both Manchester City and Liverpool have shown interest in Neto to a greater or lesser extent. Fabrizio Romano reports that Enzo Maresca's side made contact with the forward's agent, though no official bid was ever lodged. Chelsea, for their part, were demanding a hefty £100m for the Portuguese international—a figure that no team, not even the most ambitious, was willing to meet.

Neto didn't push to leave, and Chelsea never made him available for transfer, unlike others in Xabi Alonso's squad. Their valuation reflected a simple reality: they would only consider a sale if clubs were prepared to pay over the odds. That stance may soften if his situation doesn't improve.

One potential suitor has already dropped out of the race. Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal were reportedly chasing Neto last month, but they've just announced the arrival of Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal. With their transfer deadline set for October 12th, they could still table bids for the best part of a month, but they're not expected to maintain their interest in the player.

Neto started and scored during Chelsea's 4-3 win over Brighton last weekend, a reminder of the quality he possesses. Whether that translates into a more prominent role under Maresca remains to be seen. For City, watching from the wings, January could offer another chance to land a player who's been on their radar for some time.

Enzo Maresca has confirmed that new signing Enzo Fernandez will not be tied to a single position, describing the Argentine as a player who can operate as a deep-lying six or push higher as a number eight.

The City boss, speaking to the media ahead of the club’s third Premier League fixture of the season against Coventry City, outlined how he intends to deploy the World Cup winner following his move from Chelsea.

“As a six or also number eight, arriving in the box, it depends a little. With me at Chelsea he scored lots arriving from the second line, so it depends. We’re going to use him in different positions… I see Enzo as a six, a little more deep, or a little higher arriving in the box. [It] Depends a little what we need for the game and we’re going to use him in different positions.”

The flexibility is notable. Fernandez is widely regarded as an elite deep-lying playmaker, someone who typically dictates the tempo for Argentina. He did exactly that superbly at last summer’s World Cup and, at times, for Chelsea.

Yet Maresca’s comments suggest he sees more than a metronome in the middle. The reference to goals arriving from the second line hints at a player who can time runs into the box as well as sit and control proceedings.

It helps that the pair know each other well. Maresca worked extremely effectively with the Argentinian during their time together at Stamford Bridge, and now they will continue that relationship at the Etihad, with City heading into the campaign as both FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.

Quite where Fernandez fits in the pecking order remains to be seen, but the early signs are that Maresca did not merely want a midfielder — he wanted this midfielder, the one he trusts to adapt to whatever the game demands.

Iliman Ndiaye has been a Manchester City player for barely 72 hours. By the sound of it, that has been long enough for Enzo Maresca to reach a fairly emphatic conclusion about his new winger.

Speaking to the media yesterday, the City boss was asked about the deadline-day addition from Everton and did not hold back.

"He's so good, he's so good. In the last two days, you can see already how good he is in terms of 1v1, in terms of in the last third, inside the box. I'm very happy to have him with us."

High praise, and perhaps a hint that Ndiaye's first start for the Blues is not far away. The question is whether it comes this afternoon.

An ideal opening?

City welcome Coventry City to the Etihad for their third Premier League outing of the season. It is the first of five matches in fifteen days across all competitions for Maresca's side — a congested stretch that will demand rotation.

Coventry, for their part, typically set out to play attacking football, or at least attempt to. That could leave space in behind for a player whose chief currency is beating opponents one-on-one. Ndiaye, after all, is among the best in the division at exactly that.

There is no fitness concern to hold him back. The 26-year-old Senegalese international has already played three times for Everton this season, so match sharpness is not an issue. He arrives at City having earned the move through performances for both Sheffield United and the Toffees.

The only caveat is the obvious one: Ndiaye has been a City player only since Tuesday. A debut from the bench is just as plausible as a start. Yet with five games in fifteen days looming, Maresca may feel the time is right to give his newest signing a proper run-out against a side who will not simply park the bus.

Either way, the early signs have clearly pleased the manager. Whether Ndiaye lines up from the first whistle or is introduced later, the sense is that his moment is approaching quickly.

The transfer window has slammed shut, and City have made their statement. A new club-record £125 million has been committed to bring Enzo Fernandez to the Etihad, a deal that was not only a financial landmark but, according to Enzo Maresca, one that has energised the dressing room.

The negotiations were a saga in themselves. Chelsea's asking price shifted around like a tide, starting at £120 million in mid-August before creeping up to £135 million as the market neared its close. City's initial offer of £104 million plus add-ons was ultimately swept aside, with the final figure eclipsing the £116 million paid for Elliot Anderson in July.

Maresca, speaking after the window closed, was candid about the buzz around the Argentine. "I know Enzo quite well, I know what he can bring to the team," he said. "He's a winner, has a winning mentality, he knows how to win - World Cup, Club World Cup."

Perhaps the most telling insight was the manager's revelation about the squad's reaction. "I can promise you in the last four or five days, four or five players were asking if he's coming or not, because they wanted him with us!"

Fernandez is not just a name on a contract; he is ready to play. Maresca confirmed the midfielder will be available for selection as soon as this weekend, potentially making his debut in Sky Blue almost immediately.

The manager was quick to spread the credit around, expressing his happiness with the backing from the ownership, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and Hugo Viana. "Very happy for the effort from the ownership, Khaldoon, Hugo," he said.

Ndiaye Adds Another Dimension

Fernandez was not the only arrival in the final days of the window. Iliman Ndiaye, who turned down an offer from Tottenham Hotspur to join City in a £65 million package, has also been brought in to bolster the forward line.

The 26-year-old Senegal international is viewed as a versatile option, but he will provide direct competition for Jeremy Doku, who has been sidelined with a calf injury. Maresca has been impressed early on: "He's so good! In the last two days, you can see already how good he is in terms of one-v-one, the last third, inside the box."

With Ndiaye and Fernandez through the door, Maresca declared the squad complete. "In the last days, Iliman and Enzo arrived, and now the squad is complete, it's finished, and now it's time to work!"

There is also a nod to the future, with Brazilian starlet Allan Elias in contention for his first outing following a €40 million move from Palmeiras.

Matheus Nunes is back in the frame for Manchester City this weekend, with Enzo Maresca confirming the midfielder will be in the squad to face Coventry City.

The Portuguese international missed last Friday's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace as he continued his recovery from an injury picked up during the warm-up before the FA Community Shield loss to Arsenal in Cardiff. Jeremy Doku was also absent for that match with a calf problem, and he remains sidelined.

“Jeremy [Doku] is still out. Matheus [Nunes] is back, and he will be with us tomorrow. Enzo [Fernández] is ready,” Maresca said.

That last name is the one that will interest supporters most. Enzo Fernández has completed his move from Chelsea and is ready to go, having played just 25 minutes of football this season for his former club. He was one of three arrivals in the closing stages of the summer window, along with Allan and Iliman Ndiaye.

Maresca made no secret of his relief that the business is done. “I’m very, very happy! Very happy for the effort from the ownership, Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], Hugo [Viana]. Very happy! In the last days, Iliman [Ndiaye] and Enzo [Fernandez] arrived, and now the squad is complete, it’s finished, and now it’s time to work,” he said.

The timing is handy. City, who hold both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, face a congested run of games between now and the first international break of the season. Having players fit and ready to go is huge for the cup holders.

Nunes' return gives Maresca another option in midfield, while Fernández, assuming he is fit enough, adds further depth. Doku's absence is a concern, but the squad is looking healthier than it did a week ago.

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.

Manchester City Women will face Paris Saint-Germain at home in the Champions League league phase, the first time the two clubs have ever met. It is a fixture that brings a sprinkle of glamour to a group-stage draw that also includes a trip to Bayern Munich and a debut encounter with Internazionale.

Andrée Jeglertz's side learned their fate as the new-look competition takes shape, with every team playing six matches against six different opponents, three at home and three away. City will host their matches at Joie Stadium, as they do for most WSL games, though knockout fixtures are expected to be moved to the Etihad.

The draw has been kind in some respects. City avoided last year's two finalists, Barça Femení and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, and will instead welcome competition debutants Austria Wien to the North West. But the away schedule offers little comfort, with Bayern Munich looming as the toughest test on paper.

There is a curious quirk in the fixture list: City have never met German opposition before, making the trip to Bavaria a voyage into the unknown. Similarly, BK Häcken will be new opponents, even if the reigning UEFA Women's Europa Cup holders arrive as something of a novelty. The pair will meet at the Nordic Wellness Arena in Göteborg, where City will hope to extend their perfect record against Swedish clubs, having won all six such matches to date.

"This will be the first time they have ever faced les Rouge-et-Bleu."

Real Madrid, by contrast, are familiar foes, having eliminated City from qualifying in both 2021 and 2022. The visit to Arena Gianni Brer will be the first-ever meeting with Internazionale, while the memory of a previous 8-0 aggregate thrashing of Fiorentina offers some comfort when facing Italian opposition.

Home matches against Austria Wien and PSG are followed by away days in Göteborg, Milan, and Munich, with the final league-phase fixture still to be confirmed. The full fixture list will be released by UEFA on Saturday.

For those planning their viewing, Disney+ will broadcast all Women's Champions League matches in the UK, with the BBC showcasing seven fixtures a season free-to-air. Across the Atlantic, matches can be found on CBS Sports Golazo and Paramount+.

City will need to hit the ground running if they are to secure a top-four finish and a direct route to the quarter-finals, with around 13 points likely required based on last year's inaugural edition. Clubs ranked fifth to twelfth enter the play-offs, while the bottom six sides are eliminated after the league phase.

Matheus Nunes is back in the frame for Manchester City, with Enzo Maresca confirming the Portuguese fullback is available for selection once again.

Nunes has been conspicuous by his absence through the opening exchanges of the 2026/27 campaign. He missed the Community Shield meeting with Arsenal and both league outings against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, failing to make the matchday squad for any of those fixtures.

Last week the City boss was still preaching caution, suggesting Nunes was not yet at full fitness. But the picture has shifted, and the 28-year-old is now expected to take a seat on the substitutes' bench this weekend as the Blues host Coventry City.

The timing works neatly enough. Saturday's game at the Etihad hands Nunes a gentle reintroduction, with the expectation that he will be back in the mix from that point onward.

Doku's recovery remains a watching brief

The same cannot quite be said for Jeremy Doku. Maresca confirmed the Belgian is still on the treatment table after pulling up with a calf strain during the first half of last month's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.

Two weeks ago the manager offered a relatively encouraging prognosis, suggesting the winger would be sidelined for no more than two to three weeks. If that timeline holds and there are no setbacks along the way, Doku should be back on the training pitch shortly after the Coventry game.

That would put him in a tight spot for the trip to Old Trafford. The Manchester derby is nine days away, and the Belgian will be desperate to feature. It could go either way.

Sunday 13th September is the date pencilled in for his return, though nobody at the club will be rushing him if he is not ready.

New faces finally through the door

While the medical staff keep busy, Maresca has welcomed some fresh blood. Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye and Allan all arrived just before the transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday night, and the trio should be in line for minutes in the coming weeks.

The City boss made no secret of his relief at getting the deals over the line.

'I am very, very happy, from the effort from the ownership, Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], Hugo [Viana]. Iliman [Ndiaye] and Enzo [Fernandez] arrive and the squad is complete. Now it is time to work.'

There is a sense that the squad is finally where the manager wants it. Whether Nunes can force his way into the starting XI and Doku can shake off his injury in time for the derby remains to be seen.

When Enzo Maresca named his side to face Bournemouth, the team sheet raised a few eyebrows. Marc Guehi, a centre-back by trade, was stationed in central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson. It was a bold call, and for much of the first half, it looked like a gamble that might backfire.

City trailed to a 26th-minute goal, and the experiment seemed to be unravelling. But Guehi, showing the composure that has defined his career, headed home an 84th-minute equaliser from a Rayan Cherki cross, before Josko Gvardiol won it in stoppage time. The 2-1 victory was secured, and Maresca's thinking was vindicated.

A Solution for the Future

Speaking after the match, Maresca explained his reasoning. "I know Marc from Palace and I always thought he could be a good midfielder," he said. The Italian had tried Guehi as a central defender stepping in during the first two days of the week following the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, before switching him to a proper midfield role in the final two days of preparation.

"Overall, I think it was a good performance from him," Maresca added. "The good thing is he now also gives us a solution for the future." The England international, it seems, is now "another option in the middle" for City.

"I felt good and comfortable," Guehi said. "There was a lot of work on the training pitch with the manager in the week before. I'm fortunate enough to have so many good team-mates around me and helped me before and during the game to feel at ease to step into that position. It was really enjoyable."

Back to Basics Against Palace

For the visit of Crystal Palace, Guehi's former club, Maresca shuffled his pack. Guehi returned to his usual spot in the backline, with Rico Lewis at right back and Nico O'Reilly pushed further forward. The change worked. City ran out 4-1 winners, with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki both grabbing braces.

Guehi was back to his defensive best, contributing five defensive actions, including three clearances and four recoveries, while maintaining a 98% pass accuracy over the 90 minutes. Maresca was quick to explain the switch. "We try to find solutions. Marc was in midfield last week. Today we changed something. It's my job to find the solution."

Cherki's Impact

Cherki, who had been left out of the starting XI against Bournemouth, came off the bench to replace O'Reilly in the 63rd minute and made a decisive impact, assisting both the equaliser and the winner. Against Palace, he was handed a start and repaid the faith with two goals.

Guehi was full of praise for the 23-year-old. "Rayan is a fantastic player with such a fantastic future ahead of him. He's definitely made a difference coming on and usually does in any game he plays. He's a player we love and just want to carry on doing well. He's always smiling – he's just a good guy to have around."

New Faces, High Hopes

City's midfield has been bolstered by the arrivals of Anderson from Nottingham Forest, Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, and the record-breaking £125 million signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in the final week of the transfer window. Guehi, who has made 23 appearances for City since joining in January, scoring three goals and providing an assist, has been impressed by the new additions.

"Elliot looks like he's settled in very well. It's still early days but so far, he looks very comfortable and like himself. I think we'll only see more and more and the best of Elliot," Guehi said. "Ayyoub is a very exciting young player with loads of potential and a great future ahead of him. I know everyone here will take good care of him and everyone is excited to see him play."

With the squad now brimming with options, City sit top of the table after two games with six points, ahead of Arsenal, Hull City and Chelsea on goal difference. Next up is a trip to newly promoted Coventry City on September 5. The puzzle Maresca is piecing together is taking shape, and Guehi, it seems, is happy to be part of the solution, wherever that may be.

Manchester City's summer midfield rebuild very nearly looked very different. According to German football expert Christian Falk, writing for CF Bayern Insider, the Blues had Aleksandar Pavlovic at the top of their list before eventually turning to Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Falk claims City held talks over the Bayern Munich man as early as March, with the Bundesliga side's 22-year-old viewed as the number one option for the position. The interest was, in his words, "incredibly concrete".

"Manchester City had Aleksandar Pavlović as their number one option for the position."

It is a detail that puts the scale of City's summer spending into sharper focus. Falk suggests the Blues could have paid as much as €100m (£85.8m) for Pavlovic — and that figure was only the starting point.

Pavlovic, though, needed time to think. At 22, he was hardly in a rush. In the end, he decided to stay at the Allianz Arena, a choice that left City to move on to their second choice on the list.

That second choice was Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, who arrived at the Etihad for €95m (£81.5m). The near-identical fee tells its own story about how highly City rated Pavlovic — and how determined they were to land a midfielder of that profile regardless of the cost.

City's need was obvious. Rodri's departure left a hole in the centre of the pitch, and the club moved to fill it with three new central midfielders this summer: Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez all came through the door.

Pavlovic, for his part, was not the only alternative explored. The Athletic also revealed an enquiry for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, another sign of how thorough the recruitment drive was.

Falk insists there was no formal offer lodged with Bayern — the club were simply made aware of the interest. But he is clear on how close this one came.

"If he'd said yes, he'd have been a Manchester City player by now, so you can see just how concrete it was. In the end, he decided for Bayern Munich."

Football's sliding doors, and all that. City ended up with their second pick for a fee that barely differed from what they would have paid for their first. Sometimes Plan B costs just as much as Plan A.

Manchester City's final days of the summer transfer window were, by any measure, chaotic. New behind-the-scenes footage has emerged showing the sheer scale of the club's business, with four arrivals and two significant departures squeezed into a frantic stretch.

The documentary-style footage captures the signings of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Allan Elias, Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez, while also documenting the exits of Omar Marmoush to Tottenham and Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle United. It is a snapshot of a squad being reshaped in real time.

The €100m Teenager and His Icons

At the heart of the activity is Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Morocco international who arrives from Lille for a fee of €100 million — €95 million upfront with €5 million in add-ons. He has signed a five-year contract that keeps him at the Etihad until 2031.

Bouaddi, who announced himself on the global stage at the FIFA World Cup in North America over the summer, was visibly taking in the scale of what was unfolding around him. When asked about his Premier League inspirations, he name-checked two former City greats.

"I really liked Kevin De Bruyne when he was in City and before him, Yaya Toure, he was really impressive. I think he was one icon of the midfielders."

The deal required CEO Ferran Soriano to fly to Lille for personal negotiations — a measure of how highly the club rates the teenager. Manager Enzo Maresca, greeting his new signing, delivered a warm welcome. "Today it's better than yesterday," he told Bouaddi. "Because you are here!"

Maresca also addressed the squad directly about the youngster, making it clear that no pressure should be heaped on his shoulders. "He is 18, and the most important thing, the message that we want to give you is that you don't need to prove to anyone here."

Record-Breaking Fernandez and a Snapchat Warning

If Bouaddi represents the future, Enzo Fernandez is very much the present. The 25-year-old Argentina international joined from Chelsea for a new British transfer record of £125 million, signing a five-year contract until June 2031. Director of football Hugo Viana was clearly pleased with the work, exclaiming: "Well done guys! Well done! Good job, good job!"

Fernandez, for his part, made a point of thanking Soriano for his handling of the transfer. "Thank you very much! Thank you for your efforts and for how you handled this transfer. The truth is, it's a pleasure for me to be here at a great club like this, and hopefully we'll win many titles together!"

The departures were just as notable. Omar Marmoush leaves for Tottenham after contributing 16 goals and six assists in 62 appearances in all competitions. His farewell came with a light-hearted warning from Erling Haaland, who told his departing teammate: "You'd better not ghost me on Snapchat." Nico Gonzalez, the 24-year-old Spaniard, also completed a permanent move to Newcastle United during the same window.

Between the record fees, the personal flights and the social media jokes, it was a window that encapsulated modern football's strange blend of high finance and human moments. City's midfield has a new look — and the cameras were there to capture every second of it.

Early Life and Footballing Roots

Ndiaye was born in Rouen, France, on 6 March 2000. His father is Senegalese and his mother French, giving him a connection to both countries that would eventually shape his international career.

He began playing football in his home city with Rouen Sapins before progressing into the FC Rouen youth system. As a youngster, he also spent time with Marseille, but his development took an unusual turn when his family moved to Senegal.

There, Ndiaye continued his football education with Dakar Sacré-Cœur, an academy with links to European football. The experience of playing in both France and Senegal helped shape the technically gifted and instinctive player he would eventually become.

At 16, Ndiaye returned to England to live with his father. Rather than joining one of the country’s established academies, he found himself at Boreham Wood, playing at a level far removed from the Premier League.

He also played Sunday League football with Rising Ballers, an organisation that helped showcase young players to professional clubs. It was there that his talent began attracting serious attention.

Sheffield United and the Long Road to the Top

Ndiaye joined Sheffield United in 2019, but his first taste of senior football came in the most unlikely surroundings.

In 2020, he was sent on loan to Hyde United in the Northern Premier League. He was just 19 and earning around £100 a week.

The move might have seemed like a setback, but Ndiaye embraced it.

His commitment was extraordinary. Having already trained with Sheffield United earlier in the day, he would travel by train from Sheffield to Hyde for evening sessions. During the winter, he would arrive at the ground in darkness and was regularly the first player there.

Hyde manager David McGurk later recalled having to take Ndiaye off the pitch because it was time to turn the floodlights off.

The numbers were modest – one goal in nine appearances – but the talent was obvious. McGurk described a player whose technical ability, movement and understanding of the game were already operating at a level above non-league football. (

The hard work eventually paid off.

Ndiaye made his Sheffield United first-team debut in March 2021 and gradually established himself in the Championship. His breakthrough season came in 2022-23, when he became one of the most exciting attacking players in the division.

He scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists as Sheffield United secured promotion to the Premier League. His performances earned him both the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards, as well as recognition in the Championship Team of the Season. 

The boy who had been playing Sunday League football was suddenly one of the most sought-after young attacking players in England.

Marseille: A Difficult Season

In the summer of 2023, Ndiaye moved to France to join Marseille.

The transfer represented another significant step in his career, but his single season in Ligue 1 proved difficult. He made 30 league appearances but scored only three goals.

Despite the disappointing statistics, his underlying talent remained clear. Marseille had paid around £17 million for him, believing there was considerably more to come.

After only one season in France, Ndiaye returned to England.

This time, it was to join Everton.

Everton: Becoming a Premier League Star

Everton signed Ndiaye in July 2024, bringing him back to the league where he had first made his name.

The move proved transformative.

At Goodison Park, Ndiaye quickly became one of Everton’s most important attacking players. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, carry it past defenders and create something from nothing made him a natural focal point for the Toffees’ attack.

His first Everton season was particularly impressive. He scored nine Premier League goals and finished the campaign with 11 goals in all competitions.

The following season he remained an important part of the side, adding another six Premier League goals.

Across his two seasons at Everton, Ndiaye made 74 appearances and contributed 21 goals and assists. 

More importantly, he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most naturally gifted attacking players outside the established Big Six.

His performances also attracted attention from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

And eventually, Manchester City came calling.

Manchester City: The Next Step

On 1 September 2026, Manchester City completed the signing of Ndiaye from Everton for a reported £65 million, comprising £60 million guaranteed and a further £5 million in potential bonuses.

The 26-year-old signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad until the summer of 2031. 

It is a remarkable destination for a player whose professional career once included travelling by train to evening training sessions at a non-league club.

Ndiaye was also strongly linked with Tottenham in the final days of the transfer window, but ultimately chose City.

Speaking after completing the move, he made it clear that his preference was never really in doubt.

He said that he had worked his whole life for an opportunity like this and that he believed he could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes. He also explained that he wanted to play in an attacking team that keeps the ball on the ground and looks to score. 

That sounds like a pretty good description of what Manchester City are trying to build under Enzo Maresca.

International Career: Senegal

Although born in France, Ndiaye chose to represent Senegal.

He was included in Senegal’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, making his international debut shortly before the tournament.

Since then, he has become an established member of the Senegal side and was also involved in the 2026 World Cup.

At the 2026 tournament, Ndiaye contributed one goal and two assists as Senegal competed on the world’s biggest stage. 

His international career has added another dimension to his experience. He has played alongside some of Africa’s finest players and now arrives at City with experience of major international tournaments as well as Premier League football.

Style of Play

Ndiaye is an attacking midfielder who can operate across the front line. He is comfortable playing from the left or right, through the middle, or in a more traditional number 10 role.

Perhaps his most obvious quality is his ability to beat defenders.

He has excellent close control, a low centre of gravity and an instinctive ability to manipulate the ball in tight spaces. Rather than simply relying on pace, he uses changes of direction, body movement and quick touches to create room.

He is also comfortable using both feet, which makes him particularly difficult for defenders to read.

His movement is another major strength. Ndiaye is constantly looking for pockets of space between midfield and defence, while his ability to turn with the ball allows him to attack defences from central positions.

There is also an element of unpredictability to his game. He is the type of player who can receive the ball in an apparently harmless position and, within seconds, turn it into a dangerous attacking situation.

His creativity is perhaps just as important as his goalscoring. City have plenty of players capable of finishing chances, but Ndiaye brings the ability to manufacture them.

That combination of dribbling, movement, creativity and versatility should make him an interesting fit for Maresca’s system.

What Can City Expect?

The biggest question is whether Ndiaye can translate his individual brilliance into consistent performances at the very highest level.

At Everton, he was often one of the team’s primary attacking outlets. At City, the responsibility will be different.

He will be surrounded by technically elite players and will have to compete for places with the likes of Jérémy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland.

That competition could ultimately work in his favour.

Ndiaye has spent virtually his entire career having to prove himself. From Boreham Wood to Hyde United, from the Championship to Marseille and then Everton, there has always been another level to reach.

Now he has reached Manchester City.

The challenge is to show that he belongs there.

Career Statistics and Honours

Club senior career:

• Sheffield United: 77 appearances, 21 goals
• Marseille: 30 appearances, 3 goals
• Everton: 74 appearances, 17 goals
• Manchester City: Joined September 2026

International career:

• Senegal: 39 caps, 4 goals

Major honours and awards:

• Championship promotion: 2022-23 – Sheffield United
• Championship Team of the Season: 2022-23
• Sheffield United Player of the Year: 2022-23
• Sheffield United Players’ Player of the Year: 2022-23
• FIFA World Cup appearances: 2022 and 2026
• Africa Cup of Nations winner: 2025 – Senegal

The Verdict

Iliman Ndiaye’s career is one of perseverance as much as talent.

Very few £65 million Manchester City signings can claim to have spent their formative years playing Sunday League football and their first senior loan spell in the seventh tier of English football.

Ndiaye has had to work for every step.

The raw talent was always there. What has changed is the consistency and maturity with which he now applies it.

At 26, he arrives at Manchester City in the prime years of his career, rather than as an untested youngster. He knows English football, understands the demands of the Premier League and has experience of international football at the highest level.

Most importantly, he brings something City always value: a player capable of making things happen.

If Maresca can harness Ndiaye’s natural creativity and combine it with City’s possession-based attacking football, the Senegalese forward could become one of the most exciting additions to the new-look Manchester City side.

From Hyde United to the Etihad.

It is quite some journey.

The summer window closed with City's cheque book doing most of the shouting. Enzo Fernández arrived from Chelsea for £125million, Iliman Ndiaye turned up from Everton, and the club handed Fernández the No.17 shirt previously worn by Kevin De Bruyne.

All of which is fine, as far as it goes. But transfer fees don't pick the team. Two games into the Premier League season, the side picking itself has a distinctly different look to the one the accountants assembled.

The kids have taken their chance

Rico O'Reilly, all 21 years of him, has started both league matches. Elliot Anderson has done the same, giving him an early foothold in Enzo Maresca's midfield before Fernández has even played a minute. Ayyoub Bouaddi made his debut at Selhurst Park, while Mateo Kovačić has had to settle for a place on the bench in both games.

For all the money thrown around this summer, it is the ones who were already there — or who cost a fraction of the headline numbers — who are setting the tone.

Cherki is making the point emphatically

Rayan Cherki came off the bench against Bournemouth and created both goals in a 2-1 comeback. He then started at Crystal Palace and scored twice in a 4-1 win. Four direct goal involvements from two games is not a bad way to introduce yourself.

Antoine Semenyo has started twice and played the full 90 minutes on both occasions, supplying the cross for Erling Haaland's opening goal at Selhurst Park. Jérémy Doku, meanwhile, missed the opening two matches through injury — not because Maresca had suddenly gone off him.

The picture forming is of a midfield in flux, and a manager willing to trust those who have earned it. Fernández knows Maresca well from their time together at Chelsea, which should help him settle. But knowing the boss is one thing. Dislodging an in-form 21-year-old who has started every game is another.

There is a long season ahead, and the £125million man will get his chances. Right now, though, the pecking order belongs to the ones who have already done their talking on the pitch.

Ayyoub Bouaddi's first Manchester City appearance was a brief one, but the message from those who have watched him closely since is clear: this is a player being prepared for far more than cameo roles.

The 18-year-old Moroccan international arrived from Lille carrying a reputation as one of European football's most exciting midfield prospects. A standout World Cup with Morocco only reinforced that billing, and his late cameo in last Friday's 4-1 win at Crystal Palace offered a first glimpse in a City shirt.

It has been reported that Bouaddi is making an impression at City training and will have an important role to play for Enzo Maresca's side this season.

James Ducker of The Telegraph has detailed where the club see him fitting in, with the number six role identified as his natural home. Jeremy Cross of The Mirror adds that the teenager has made a huge impression in training sessions, with Maresca prepared to be patient given his age.

That patience, though, comes with expectation. The reports suggest Bouaddi will play more often than many might anticipate.

City did not part with £85 million to bring a teenager from Lille merely to warm the bench. The investment, and the early indications from the training ground, point towards a player who is expected to contribute meaningfully this season.

Bouaddi already possesses the technical quality, physical attributes and tactical awareness required to step into this midfield. His displays in Ligue 1 and on the World Cup stage suggest he is more than ready to establish himself as a genuine option for Maresca.

None of this should come as a shock. But it does serve as further confirmation of the calibre of talent City have secured. By the end of the 2026-27 campaign, it would be no surprise to look back and see Bouaddi firmly established as a key pillar of this team.

When City last locked horns with Coventry, Kevin Keegan was in the dugout, Maine Road was still the backdrop, and both clubs were scrapping in the second tier. Saturday’s meeting at the Etihad marks the first time the sides have crossed paths in any competition since that March 2002 afternoon.

Back then, Keegan’s side were chasing promotion to the top flight, and a 4-2 win over the Sky Blues helped keep that dream alive. Darren Huckerby and Danny Tiatto got the goals before a young Shaun Wright-Phillips added two more, with Lee Mills netting both for the visitors in front of 33,335 at Maine Road.

That starting XI reads like a roll call of an era: Huckerby, Wright-Phillips, Ali Benarbia, Shaun Goater and Stuart Pearce all featured. It was a team built for a specific moment, one that delivered.

Two clubs, two very different decades

Twenty-four years on, the landscape has shifted beyond recognition. Coventry return to Manchester as a Premier League club once more, a status they have clawed back after years in the lower divisions. City, under Enzo Maresca, have opened this season with two wins from two.

The gap between these clubs has never looked wider, but the history tells a more complicated story. City haven’t beaten Coventry in the top flight since March 1993. The eight league meetings at that level since have produced four draws and four Coventry wins, though the most recent of those came in January 2001 — over two decades ago.

So while the Premier League table suggests a straightforward afternoon for the Blues, the record offers a gentle reminder that Coventry have often been awkward opponents. That 4-2 win in 2002 came in the second tier, not the top flight.

A reunion worth savouring

There is something fitting about this fixture returning to the Premier League after so long. For City, it is a measure of how far the club has travelled since the Keegan years. For Coventry, it is a chance to remind everyone how far they have come themselves.

Saturday’s meeting may be the first in 24 years, but the memories of that Maine Road afternoon will not have faded for those who were there. A different ground, a different manager, a different world — but the same fixture, finally back where it belongs.

There is a particular thrill to a European draw when you have been away from it for a while. Manchester City's women are about to experience that again, with the league phase of the Champions League set to be mapped out in Nyon on Friday 4 September.

It has been a decade in the making, in some respects. Andrée Jeglertz guided the Sky Blues to a first Women's Super League title in ten years last season — the second in the club's history — and that silverware has bought them automatic passage into the league phase. No qualifiers, no nerves, no two-year exile. Just a place among Europe's elite once more.

The draw, which gets underway at 11am (BST), will be streamed live on UEFA.com. City supporters might want to clear the diary.

Pot 3 and the perils within

There is a catch, naturally. City find themselves in pot 3, which means the glamour ties are coming thick and fast. They are guaranteed to face two of Barcelona, Lyon, Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain — one at home, one away.

For all the history those names carry, there is novelty here too. A meeting with PSG or Bayern would be a first. In fact, whoever City pull from pot 3, they will be facing them for the first time. European football has a way of serving up fresh rivalries, even if some old ones linger.

Real Madrid, for instance, have twice knocked City out in key qualifiers. That particular score is yet to be settled.

The format and the road ahead

City will play six matches in the league phase — three at the Academy Stadium, three away. They will face two teams from each pot, with the usual constraint that clubs from the same association cannot be drawn together. That spares them Arsenal and Chelsea at this stage, at least.

Should they draw Juventus, BK Häcken, Benfica or Roma, it would be a first meeting too. There is a lot of firsts floating around this draw.

After the six games, the top four go straight to the quarter-finals. Clubs finishing fifth to twelfth face a play-off round, while the bottom six are eliminated entirely. No safety net, no second chances.

A homecoming at Joie Stadium

City's European home is Joie Stadium, sitting on the Etihad campus. It holds 7,000, though UEFA fixtures see that reduced to just under 5,000. Should the Sky Blues progress deep into the knockout stages, some matches could move next door to the Etihad itself.

There is something fitting about that. A club returning to Europe's top table after two years away, with a title to defend and a point to prove. The draw on Friday will tell us who stands in their way. It might just be the start of something.

When the summer transfer window closed, City had secured the one player Enzo Maresca wanted above all others. Enzo Fernandez arrived from Chelsea on deadline day, the culmination of a pursuit that had the manager's fingerprints all over it.

The BBC has since detailed why Maresca pushed so hard to reunite with the World Cup winner. It comes down to something simple: Fernandez already speaks the language. The Argentine knows the intricacies of Maresca's system from their time together at a previous club, which means he should slot into City's midfield immediately rather than spending months learning on the job.

That familiarity is the point. With a new manager still embedding his ideas, having someone who can translate those demands to the rest of the squad is valuable. Fernandez's knowledge should help his teammates come to grips with what Maresca wants, making him a conduit between the training ground and the pitch.

"He is a top manager, honestly. I had him at my previous club. They were incredible moments. I learned so much with him."

Speaking to mancity.com, Fernandez made no secret of his admiration for his new boss. "He's very similar to Latin people, very passionate. So, for me, it's a pleasure to work with him."

The midfielder was also clear about the role Maresca played in making the move happen. "I'm also grateful because he was very important in bringing me here," he said. "To be honest, we were both very eager for it to happen, because it wasn't easy for me to be here today. But I know he also made a big effort, speaking to the club, and I'm grateful that he did that."

City paid Chelsea a hefty fee to make it happen, but Maresca has got his man. The question now is how quickly Fernandez gets up to speed.

A Leader Without the Armband

The combative midfielder is expected to take on a key role in this City side. He will bring that intricate knowledge of Maresca's system and is likely to be a leader on the pitch, even if he doesn't officially join the captaincy group.

Up next is the third Premier League fixture of the season, against newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad on Saturday. Given how highly Maresca rates Fernandez, it would be no surprise to see the Argentine handed his debut in the starting eleven, provided he's fit enough.

Maresca will want his conduit straight into the action. Fernandez knows the system, knows the manager, and knows what's expected. Throwing him in from the start would be the quickest way to get him working with his new teammates.

Whether he starts or not, the message is clear: this is a signing built on trust and understanding, and Maresca clearly believes it will pay off from day one.

Noel Gallagher has a clear answer for anyone wondering who City's next great talisman should be. It is not Erling Haaland. It is not even the £125m deadline-day arrival Enzo Fernandez. The lifelong Blue has looked at the new-look dressing room and settled on Rayan Cherki as the man to shape it around.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Gallagher was unequivocal about the 23-year-old Frenchman's place in the side. "They need to build the team around him," he said.

"He's got that indefinable thing that magicians have."

High praise, and the kind that tends to make a player's ears burn. But Cherki has spent the opening weeks of the season backing up the billing rather than shrinking from it.

A fast start at the Etihad

The numbers are already stacking up. Two assists against Bournemouth, then two goals at Selhurst Park in last Friday's 4-1 win at Crystal Palace. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to a new crowd.

Gallagher's description of Cherki goes beyond the usual footballer platitudes. There is a rough edge to him, and Gallagher clearly enjoys it. "He's gnarly, he says mad stuff, but I mean, he's an absolute diamond," he said.

It is some praise for a player who arrived in the same window as Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye, joining an attacking group already containing Haaland and Phil Foden. Competition for places is not exactly thin on the ground.

Whether Enzo Maresca shares Gallagher's view remains to be seen. But if Cherki keeps producing performances like the one at Palace, the manager may not have much choice in the matter.

When Manchester City confirmed the £125 million arrival of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea on Tuesday evening, the headline was the fee. A club record. A five-year contract running until June 2031. But the real story is simpler and more personal: this is a manager buying a player he already knows he can trust.

According to BBC Sport, Enzo Maresca wanted Fernandez precisely because he is someone he can fully rely on. Not a project. Not a gamble. A known quantity.

The Shortcut to Instant Impact

City's midfield has been stripped bare this summer. Rodri has gone to Barcelona, Bernardo Silva left on a free, and Tijjani Reijnders moved to Saudi Arabia. That is a lot of experience walking out the door in one window.

Maresca needed someone who could step in and contribute from day one, not spend weeks or months absorbing new methods. Where a fresh signing from a different system would need time to learn the positioning, pressing triggers and passing structures demanded in the middle of the pitch, Fernandez walks through the door having already lived it.

He spent three-and-a-half seasons at Stamford Bridge after joining from Benfica in January 2023, and crucially, Maresca managed him directly during his own tenure at Chelsea. The instructions, the patterns of play, the demands of operating in central midfield within this system — none of it will be new to him.

A Reunion Written in the Window's Final Days

The move was not without its drama. Fernandez had grown estranged from Chelsea in the window's final days, omitted from Xabi Alonso's squad for back-to-back fixtures. He was understood to be keen on a reunion with the manager who knew him best.

It is also worth remembering that Maresca's own departure from Chelsea generated significant controversy and a protracted compensation dispute. That saga now feels like the opening chapter of a story whose latest instalment sees the pair reunited in Manchester.

Building for the Season Ahead

The timing is significant. Champions League football begins this month, and the Premier League title race is already underway. For a manager taking his first senior role at a club of this scale, having a player who already speaks his footballing language is invaluable.

Maresca has spoken publicly about the importance of the day-to-day process. Fernandez, the new No.17, should slot into that process without a hitch.

Director of football Hugo Viana described Fernandez as 'a complete midfielder' on signing, adding that his ability to play possession-based football and contribute on the counter makes him adaptable to whatever Maresca requires across a season of four competitions.

With Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi already through the door, Fernandez completes a midfield engine built not only around quality but around the specific qualities Maresca knows intimately. In a summer of upheaval, that counts for something.

Some loans are about keeping a player ticking over. Others are about letting them announce themselves. Divine Mukasa chose the loudest possible option on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, out on a season-long loan from City to West Ham, tore through Wolves at the London Stadium with a brace that helped the Hammers to a 4-2 win. It was the kind of performance that makes you wonder what the Championship is going to do with him all season.

Mukasa had made three appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side before this one. By full-time, he had made the evening about himself.

The goals

His opener arrived in the 33rd minute and was worth the price of admission on its own. Picking the ball up around 25 yards out, he took two touches to set himself, then let fly with his right foot. The ball thundered in off the crossbar, leaving Wolves goalkeeper José Sá with no chance. A rocket is the only honest description.

Twenty minutes later, Mukasa had his second. This time he did it from closer range, collecting the ball just inside the penalty area, cutting onto his left foot and seeing his shot take a deflection before nestling in the net. Not quite as clean as the first, but they all count.

More than a scorer

What will have pleased City most is that Mukasa’s contribution went beyond the goals. Nuno Espirito Santo was delighted with the youngster’s all-round game — his positioning in midfield, his passing and his work without the ball.

“I’m delighted, not only for the goals but the way he played, the positions he took in the middle of the park,” the West Ham boss said. “He is a young player with a lot of things to improve but I’m delighted to have him.”

That “lot of things to improve” line is the sensible bit. Mukasa showed flashes of his talent during last season’s loan at Leicester City, but flashes are exactly what they were. The aim of this spell at West Ham was always about progress, about turning those moments into something more consistent.

One night against Wolves doesn’t prove that job is done. But it is a decent start, and the kind of performance that reminds everyone why City sent him out in the first place.

Enzo Fernandez has spoken for the first time since joining Manchester City, and the midfielder has been clear about one thing: Enzo Maresca is the reason he's here.

The Argentina international was officially unveiled at the Etihad today, a day after City and Chelsea reached an agreement. It brings to an end a period of uncertainty that, by Fernandez's own admission, was not easy to navigate.

"To be honest, we were both very eager for it to happen, because it wasn't easy for me to be here today," he said.

A Manager Who Made It Happen

The pair were together at Stamford Bridge as recently as last season, before Maresca's unexpected exit. The Italian then took the City job this summer, succeeding Pep Guardiola. Now, barely months later, the two are reunited in Manchester.

Fernandez did not hide his admiration for the man who pushed to bring him north.

"He is a top manager, honestly. I had him at my previous club. They were incredible moments. I learned so much with him," the 25-year-old said.

There is a debt of gratitude there, and Fernandez is not shy about acknowledging it. "I'm also grateful because he was very important in bringing me here. So it's a huge pleasure for me to work alongside him and enjoy it."

He added: "But I know he also made a big effort, speaking to the club, and I'm grateful that he did that."

Still Puzzled by the Chelsea Exit

Earlier this year, before any of this was on the horizon, Fernandez admitted he could not fathom why Maresca had left Chelsea. Nothing has changed on that front.

"I don't understand it either," he said. "Sometimes there are things that we as players don't understand, how and in what way they try to manage things."

There was real emotion in his recollection of Maresca's departure. "Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it's good and bad. But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing," Fernandez reflected.

"And obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short."

For Chelsea, the chapter has closed. Xabi Alonso now occupies the Stamford Bridge dugout, an appointment that has generated its own excitement. But the sense of what might have been lingers in Fernandez's words.

City, for their part, will hope that the bond between player and manager translates onto the pitch. If the midfielder's enthusiasm is anything to go by, the early signs are promising.

Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for £125 million, shattering their own club-record fee set earlier this summer. The Argentine midfielder's arrival ties the Premier League's all-time highest transfer, matching Liverpool's move for Alexander Isak last year.

The deal is the latest statement of intent from a club that has already spent big this window, and it signals just how far Maresca is prepared to go in reshaping the squad he inherited. This is not a manager tinkering at the edges — it is a full-scale rebuild.

Fernández arrives with pedigree. He was a key figure in Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, earning the tournament's young player award, and he brings substantial Premier League experience from his time at Stamford Bridge. In 170 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, he scored 31 goals and provided 30 assists.

His most productive spell came under Maresca himself. In their only full season together, Fernández registered nine goals and 17 assists, helping the club lift the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. That connection is clearly a driving force behind this move.

Maresca's own path has been circular. Dismissed from Chelsea midway through the following season, he landed at City this year — and now finds himself reunited with the midfielder he once coached. The reunion completes a midfield overhaul that has been the defining feature of City's summer business.

The financial scale of the deal raises the bar considerably. City's previous record, the £116 million paid to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, stood for only a matter of weeks. That Fernández arrives for even more tells you everything about the backing Maresca enjoys from the ownership, who continue to hand him whatever he needs to build his own side rather than relying on the players Pep Guardiola brought in.

Expectations will be significant. A fee that ties the Premier League record brings its own weight, and Fernández will be expected to justify it at the Etihad. On paper, it is one of the most significant deadline-day moves the league has seen — and City's midfield now looks very much his.

Manchester City's move for Iliman Ndiaye was never the first choice. Before the Senegal international walked through the door on Deadline Day, the club had tested Liverpool's resolve with an £80m offer for Cody Gakpo. The answer, delivered on Monday, was a firm no.

According to Sky Sports, the Anfield side were unwilling to let the Netherlands international leave so late in the window, worried about the prospect of sourcing a replacement at such short notice. City, for their part, had been prepared to go as high as £80m. It wasn't enough.

The rejection sent City's recruitment team back to a conversation already in progress. They had been in contact with Everton over Jack Grealish, who was heading back to Merseyside on a season-long loan in a separate transaction. With those lines of communication already open, attention turned swiftly to Ndiaye.

Talks accelerated, and by the close of Deadline Day a deal was done: £60m plus a further £5m in potential bonuses, with the 26-year-old signing a five-year contract. City had their winger, even if the route there was rather more winding than planned.

A squad stripped of width

The urgency was understandable. Enzo Maresca had watched his wide options dwindle alarmingly over the course of the window. Savinho and Omar Marmoush had departed for Tottenham, and Grealish was following them out of the door, albeit in the opposite direction and on loan.

Such was the shortage that City did not name a single winger among their substitutes for Friday night's 4-1 win at Crystal Palace. Maresca admitted after that game that Phil Foden, who started out wide, isn't naturally a winger. Needs must, and all that.

Ndiaye, at least, believes he fits the bill. After completing the move, he described City as the "perfect fit", explaining that he enjoys playing with the ball on the floor in an attacking team. Which is handy, really, given the alternatives were an £80m rejection and a winger-shaped hole in the squad.

Manchester City's summer of upheaval ended with a flourish on deadline day, as Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez arrived from Everton and Chelsea respectively. The double swoop capped a window that has fundamentally reshaped Enzo Maresca's squad.

It was a period of significant departure as much as arrival. The midfield engine room lost Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders, while the attack saw Savinho and Omar Marmoush move on. In response, Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Fernandez were brought in to bolster the centre of the park.

City's attacking options now boast a blend of proven quality and genuine flair. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are joined by the new arrivals, with Allan coming in from Palmeiras and Ndiaye from Everton to fill the void left by the inconsistent Savinho and Marmoush.

A Calculated Risk

For all the business conducted, one position was left untouched. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders opted against signing a right-back, choosing instead to go with the options already at the club. It is a decision that carries an element of risk, though early signs suggest Maresca has a plan.

The manager has already shown tactical flexibility, deploying Marc Guehi in midfield and handing Nico O'Reilly a starting berth in the centre of the pitch at the beginning of the campaign.

Promising Start

The early evidence is encouraging. Maresca's side have opened the 2026-27 season with victories over Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, laying a solid foundation for the challenges ahead. With a rebuilt squad and a manager who has been given every tool to succeed, the Blues look ready for what lies in store.

Manchester City have agreed a £125m fee with Chelsea for Enzo Fernández, a sum that makes the Argentine the club's most expensive signing and equals the British transfer record. The move, confirmed by Sky Sports, follows Fabrizio Romano's customary 'here we go' and Fernández has already been permitted to undergo his medical.

The fee overtakes the £116m City paid for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer. It also matches the British record Liverpool set when they signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle last year.

Fernández's arrival was one of two headline developments on a frantic deadline day. Iliman Ndiaye is officially a City player, completing a £65m switch from Everton. The Senegal international has signed a five-year contract, with the Toffees receiving £60m guaranteed and up to £5m in add-ons.

For Ndiaye, it caps a curious journey. The 26-year-old once had unsuccessful trials with Chelsea and Tottenham before eventually getting his chance at Sheffield United. Now he is a City player, and the footballing world has a fine sense of timing.

There was more. Ayyoub Bouaddi arrived from Lille in another huge deal, while Allan was also added to Enzo Maresca's squad.

A changing of the guard

The influx of new faces comes against a backdrop of significant departures. Rodri has gone to Barcelona, Bernardo Silva has left, and Nico González moved to Newcastle. Jack Grealish, meanwhile, is to spend another season at Everton.

Grealish's situation had become increasingly obvious. The 30-year-old was unlikely to feature prominently under Maresca, and another loan gives him the chance to play regularly at a club where he enjoyed his football last season.

City finished second last season, and several huge figures from the previous era have since moved on. The challenge for Maresca is to knit this new, expensively assembled group into something coherent. The raw materials, at least, are now in place.

The ink was barely dry on Allan's arrival from Palmeiras when Manchester City confirmed another addition to Enzo Maresca's forward line. Iliman Ndiaye has swapped Everton for the Etihad, with the Senegalese international putting pen to paper on a five-year deal that keeps him in Manchester until the summer of 2031.

The move, announced ahead of the 23:00 transfer deadline, sees City pay an initial £60 million with a further £5 million in add-ons, according to Sam Lee and Jessica Hopkins of The Athletic.

A player who wanted the move

Ndiaye made no secret of where his heart lay once City came calling. "It's easy to make the decision about whether you want to be at Manchester City or not," he told the club's official website.

"You can see the recent history; you want to be part of that project. They talked to me about where we could go, what we could achieve with me in the team, and I was interested from the beginning."

That enthusiasm is understandable. For a player who has spent considerable time in England, watching City become the dominant force in the domestic game has been a long-running lesson in what success looks like.

"There was nothing else that I wanted other than joining Manchester City," Ndiaye added. "Obviously, you want to be part of this new project. I've seen recently what they've been doing, and I feel like I will fit right in it. I'm super excited to start."

Versatility and fit

Maresca is getting more than just a winger. Ndiaye can operate on either flank, through the middle, or dropping off a striker — a flexibility that should prove useful across a long season. His willingness to work without the ball ought to endear him to his new manager quickly, while his dribbling ability matches what Maresca demands from his wide men.

The 26-year-old arrives with an important role in mind. This is a new era at City, and Ndiaye is intent on being part of the story. The chance to forge his own legacy while carrying on the club's recent success proved too good to turn down.

The attacking picture now looks complete. Allan gives Maresca another right-sided option, and Ndiaye brings a proven Premier League pedigree. City's business is done — and the new era has its fresh faces.

When the transfer window opened on 15 June, Manchester City knew the scale of the task. Bernardo Silva and John Stones were gone, their contracts expired, and the squad needed more than a tweak. What followed was a summer of movement that took until deadline day to fully take shape.

By the time the window slammed shut, City had banked £290 million in player sales. The departures went beyond the two veterans. Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, James Trafford, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Nico Gonzalez all left, each a regular in Pep Guardiola's squad last season. Add in Issa Kabore, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Reigan Heskey, and the figures sourced from Squawka paint a picture of a club in transition.

Why the exits happened

Some of those moves were straightforward. James Trafford wanted to be a first-choice keeper elsewhere. Rodri wanted to return to Spain, and eventually got his wish. Others were less about desire than necessity, the natural churn of a squad being rebuilt on the fly.

The outbound traffic was balanced by a significant loan programme. Divin Mubama, Divine Mukasa, Max Alleyne, Christian McFarlane, Stephen Mfuni, Sverre Nypan, Oliver Whatmuff, Jaden Heskey and Charlie Gray all went out, as did new signings Pierce Charles and Jeremy Monga. Strategic moves, the club said, to aid their growth and development.

The money in

The big spending came in bursts. Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. An 18-year-old midfield sensation from Lille cost up to £85 million. Then, as per David Ornstein's report for The Athletic, City agreed to pay Chelsea £125 million for Enzo Fernandez. Brazilian winger Allan joined from Palmeiras, and experienced goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli arrived from Marseille. Young wingers Mathys Detourbet and Jeremy Monga, alongside goalkeeper Pierce Charles, were also brought in.

Senegalese international Iliman Ndiaye is on the verge of finalising a move from Everton, though that one, like Fernandez, went down to deadline day.

Not the ideal plan

In an ideal world, City wouldn't have wanted to sign both Fernandez and Ndiaye on deadline day. The World Cup in the middle of the summer slowed everything down, and the club's bid to bolster the squad took longer than anticipated. The window was eventful and took time to come together.

In the end, City achieved what they needed to. It just wasn't always pretty getting there.

Early Life and Roots in Buenos Aires

Fernández was born on 17 January 2001 in San Martín, in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began playing organised football with local club La Recova before joining the famed youth academy of River Plate in 2007, aged just six. Over more than a decade at River, he was schooled in the possession-based, technically demanding style that would come to define his game, progressing steadily through the club's youth ranks alongside a generation of talented young Argentines.

River Plate and Defensa y Justicia: Learning the Trade

Fernández made his first-team debut for River Plate in 2019, but it was a loan move to Defensa y Justicia in 2020 that proved pivotal to his development. Given regular first-team football, he helped the club win the Copa Sudamericana in 2020 and the Recopa Sudamericana in 2021, silverware that announced him as one of the most promising young midfielders in South American football.

He returned to River Plate for the 2021 season and quickly became a first-team fixture, winning the Liga Profesional title and the Trofeo de Campeones. His performances in Argentina's top flight, marked by composure on the ball and an unusually mature passing range for a player his age, saw interest from Europe intensify.

Benfica: The European Breakthrough

In July 2022, Fernández completed a move to Portuguese giants Benfica for a fee in the region of €12 million. It proved to be a springboard rather than a destination. He settled into Benfica's midfield immediately, impressing in both domestic competition and the Champions League, where his performances against elite European opposition drew admiring glances from some of the continent's biggest clubs.

His stock rose further that autumn when he was named in Argentina's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that would transform his career.

Chelsea: A Record-Breaking Arrival

In January 2023, fresh off winning the World Cup with Argentina, Fernández completed a transfer to Chelsea for a fee in the region of €121 million (£106.8 million), a British transfer record at the time, on a long-term contract running until 2031. Having played barely six months of senior football at Benfica, the scale of the fee placed enormous expectation on his shoulders.

His early months in England came during a turbulent period for Chelsea, as the club underwent significant squad turnover and managerial change, and Fernández was still adapting to the physicality and pace of the Premier League. But under Mauricio Pochettino and, in particular, Enzo Maresca, he grew into the side's midfield anchor, his range of passing and calmness in possession becoming central to Chelsea's way of playing.

The 2024-25 season saw that development bear fruit. Fernández was a driving force as Chelsea won the UEFA Conference League and secured a return to the Champions League, his leadership in midfield increasingly likened to that of a captain. He followed it up in 2025-26 with his most productive campaign yet in England, contributing regularly to goals and assists from deep midfield as Chelsea challenged towards the top of the Premier League.

By the summer of 2026, having established himself as one of Chelsea's most important players, Fernández made his desire to leave the club known, with reports consistently linking him with a move to Manchester City. Chelsea, under new head coach Xabi Alonso, left him out of matchday squads in the closing weeks of the window as the situation came to a head.

Manchester City: A New Chapter

Manchester City agreed a Premier League record-equalling £125 million deal with Chelsea to sign Fernández, matching the fee Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak the previous summer, and ending his three-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge. The move reunites Fernández with Enzo Maresca, the man who coached him during his time at Chelsea and who now manages Manchester City, and comes at the end of a summer in which City rebuilt significant parts of their midfield following the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico González.

For Fernández, the move offers the chance to continue working under a coach who knows his game intimately, within a squad that has already been strengthened this summer by the arrivals of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Early reaction from supporters and pundits alike pointed to City having added one of the outstanding central midfielders of his generation, still only 25 and with a World Cup winner's medal already to his name. Expectation is high that his composure in possession and ability to control matches from deep will slot seamlessly into a City midfield being reshaped for the coming seasons.

International Career: World Champion with Argentina

Fernández made his senior debut for Argentina in September 2022, only months before the World Cup in Qatar. His rapid integration into Lionel Scaloni's squad was a mark of his ability, and he went on to play a key role in Argentina's triumphant run to the title, starting the final against France. His performances throughout the tournament earned him the FIFA World Cup Young Player Award.

He has remained a fixture of the Argentina midfield since, forming an increasingly influential partnership at the heart of the team and helping the country win the 2024 Copa América. He was again a central figure in Argentina's run to the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team finished as runners-up following a narrow defeat to Spain.

Style of Play and Personality

Fernández is a deep-lying playmaker in the classic mould, prized above all for his range of passing. He is capable of switching play with precision over long distances, threading incisive passes through tight defensive lines, and controlling the rhythm of a match from a deep-lying position. His vision and composure on the ball allow him to play under pressure that would trouble many of his peers.

Defensively, he has grown in discipline and positioning since his early days in the Premier League, developing into a more complete two-way midfielder capable of screening his back line as well as dictating attacking play. His leadership qualities have been widely noted by coaches and teammates alike, and he has often been spoken of as a future captain.

Off the pitch, Fernández is regarded as a grounded and dedicated professional, closely connected to his Argentine roots and the group of players alongside whom he broke through both at River Plate and with the national team. His rise from a modest background in Greater Buenos Aires to World Cup winner and back-to-back British transfer-record signing within the space of a few years has been widely regarded as one of the standout stories of his generation.

Career Statistics and Honours

Club senior appearances (as of 2026):

• River Plate: appearances across two spells, including a Liga Profesional title-winning campaign
• Defensa y Justicia (loan): Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana winner
• Benfica: one season, before his move to Chelsea
• Chelsea: 150+ appearances, 20+ goals between January 2023 and summer 2026
• Manchester City: newly signed in a Premier League record-equalling £125 million deal

International appearances (as of 2026):

• Argentina Senior: established international since 2022, World Cup winner and Copa América winner

Major Honours:

• Copa Sudamericana: 2020 (Defensa y Justicia)
• Recopa Sudamericana: 2021 (Defensa y Justicia)
• Liga Profesional: 2021 (River Plate)
• Trofeo de Campeones: 2021 (River Plate)
• UEFA Conference League: 2024-25 (Chelsea)
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2025 (Chelsea)
• FIFA World Cup: 2022 (Argentina)
• Copa América: 2024 (Argentina)
• FIFA World Cup Young Player Award: 2022
• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2026 (Argentina)

Enzo Fernández's career so far is a story of rapid rise, big occasions, and a rare ability to perform on the biggest stages at a young age. From River Plate's academy to a World Cup winner's medal, a British transfer record, and now a reunion with Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, he has already achieved more than most players manage in a full career. With his passing range, game intelligence, and growing leadership, Fernández arrives at City as one of the most complete central midfielders in world football, with his best years still ahead of him.

When Iliman Ndiaye finally puts pen to paper at the Etihad, City will be getting a winger whose dribbling stats put him in the Premier League's top bracket. The Senegalese international completed 73 take-ons last season, a figure bettered by only one man in the entire division: Jeremy Doku, with 84.

That puts Ndiaye second in the league's take-on charts, and it's a trait that should translate neatly into Enzo Maresca's system. The Blues have spent the summer adding players with specific, elite qualities, and Ndiaye's willingness to run at defenders fits the profile.

"He was second in this category in the Premier League to Jeremy Doku who completed 84."

It's not just volume either. The Athletic's Conor O'Neil reports Ndiaye completed 49% of his take-ons last season, a success rate that suggests his dribbling isn't just frequent but effective.

For a side that already possesses Doku's explosiveness, adding another player who can beat a man one-on-one gives Maresca options. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders are clearly building with an eye on breaking down deep defences, and Ndiaye's ability to commit defenders and create space could prove invaluable.

Everton's loss looks set to be City's gain, and while the fee hasn't been disclosed, the profile is right. Ndiaye is a player who looks ideally suited to life under Maresca, and the prospect of him and Doku on opposite flanks is a mouth-watering one for City supporters.

Reports suggesting Enzo Fernandez is heading to Manchester City have been labelled a 'done deal', yet the same speculation points to Chelsea enduring a rather awkward double rejection in the same window.

According to the claims, the Argentine midfielder is set to make the move across Manchester, a prospect that would surely bolster City's engine room. However, while Blues fans might be dreaming of a midfield anchored by Fernandez, the reality at Stamford Bridge appears less rosy.

The same source indicates that Chelsea have been knocked back by two players. It's a stark reminder that even with the financial muscle and project on offer in west London, not every target is convinced.

For City, the prospect of landing a player of Fernandez's calibre is an exciting one. His ability to dictate play from deep would offer another dimension to the squad's already impressive options in the middle of the park. Whether the 'done deal' tag proves accurate remains to be seen, but the speculation alone is enough to get pulses racing among the Etihad faithful.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's double rejection suggests that, for some players, the allure of the project at Stamford Bridge is not as strong as it once might have been. It's a curious state of affairs for a club of their stature, but one that City fans can observe with a wry smile.

Manchester City's squad rebuild is about to hit a number that looks less like a transfer budget and more like a small country's GDP. If the deals for Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández both go through before the deadline, the club's gross outlay on new players since January 2025 will nudge past €1bn.

According to figures compiled by FootballTransfers, City have already spent around €834m on signings since the start of last year. The £65m agreement with Everton for Ndiaye, plus whatever it takes to prise Fernández away from Chelsea, would push the total over the threshold.

It is a striking figure, though it deserves a little context. That €1bn is gross expenditure, not net. The club have also brought in substantial fees through sales during the same period, so the actual cash outlay is considerably smaller than the headline number suggests.

The spending spree began in earnest in January 2025, when Omar Marmoush, Nico González and Abdukodir Khusanov arrived in a flurry of activity. This summer has continued the theme, with Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi among the big-money additions and Brazilian winger Allan joining from Palmeiras.

Not everyone has stayed long. Marmoush and González have already moved on, and Savinho, Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri and James Trafford are among those to have left for fees this summer. The revolving door has been busy.

Ndiaye is the most likely next name through it, with a medical expected on Tuesday after City agreed a £60m fee plus £5m in add-ons with Everton. The Senegal international would add another option to the attack.

Fernández is a more complicated proposition. City have made contact with Chelsea over the Argentina midfielder, who is reportedly keen on a reunion with Enzo Maresca. Whether the two deals land in time remains to be seen, but the direction of travel is clear enough.

There is a certain logic to the transfer window that rarely gets the attention it deserves. One club signs a midfielder, and suddenly another club's entire summer changes shape. Right now, Chelsea's pursuit of Manu Koné might be the single most important move for Manchester City's own business.

According to Sky in Italy, Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal with Roma for the France international, with a fee in the region of £52m under discussion. Personal terms are said to be sorted, and the Blues are trying to get it over the line before the window shuts.

Koné, 25, joined Roma from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2024 and has since established himself in the France setup. He is not a name that would have been on many Premier League radars this time last year, but he fits the profile Chelsea have been chasing all summer.

The Fernández question

Here is where it gets interesting for City. Koné is being lined up as a direct replacement for Enzo Fernández, with talks continuing over the Argentina international's potential move to the Etihad. Chelsea have made it clear they would sell Fernández for the right price, provided they can bring in cover first.

That is the crucial bit. Chelsea are not going to let Fernández go and leave themselves short in midfield. Koné arriving changes that calculation entirely.

The stumbling block remains the fee. Chelsea value Fernández at around £120m, and City are yet to reach an agreement on that figure. It is a lot of money, even by the standards of this window, and it is hard to see it being resolved quickly.

On the player's side, things look more straightforward. Fernández is reportedly open to the move, and personal terms are not expected to cause any trouble if the clubs can strike a deal.

So the pieces are there. Chelsea get their replacement, City get their midfielder, and everybody moves on. The only question is whether the two clubs can bridge that gap between valuation and offer before the deadline.

Manchester City are on the verge of completing a deal worth up to £65m for Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, a move that would give Enzo Maresca a much-needed wide threat. The Senegal international is expected to undergo a medical on Tuesday, with personal terms understood to be in place.

The fee is structured at £60m guaranteed, with a further £5m in potential add-ons for the 26-year-old. It is a significant outlay for a player whose attacking numbers don't quite match the price tag.

City's pursuit of Ndiaye came after a move for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo stalled, with an £80m bid rejected. Tottenham had also shown interest in the former Marseille man.

The Blues' need for a winger has been glaring. Savinho and Omar Marmoush were both allowed to join Tottenham during the summer, and Friday's 4-1 win at Crystal Palace saw Phil Foden start out wide, with no recognised winger on the bench. Ndiaye, who can play on the left or through the middle, offers Maresca another genuine option in those areas.

He's comfortable receiving possession in congested areas, can beat opponents one-on-one and is willing to carry the ball towards defenders rather than simply move it on.

That profile is what City are buying. In two completed seasons at Everton, Ndiaye scored 15 Premier League goals, but his real value has always been in changing the tempo of an attack. At Goodison, he was often the sole source of inspiration. At City, he'll be surrounded by considerably more quality.

He arrives proven in English football and at an age where his best years should be ahead of him. Whether that justifies the outlay will depend on how quickly he adapts to a side expecting more than just a spark.

Jack Grealish's Manchester City chapter is all but written. The 30-year-old is poised to rejoin Everton on a season-long loan, with a medical scheduled for Tuesday morning before he completes his return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign.

The move, first reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein, brings a degree of closure to a saga that has rumbled on since Grealish's injury-hit spell on Merseyside was cut short in January. A foot stress fracture ended his season just as he had established himself as a Toffees fan favourite under David Moyes.

Grealish's preference was always another stint at Everton. Sunderland made a formal loan offer, and several other clubs registered an interest, but the former Aston Villa captain had his heart set on a return to the blue half of Merseyside.

From Treble Hero to Fringe Figure

It is a curious fate for a player who, in 2022/23, was central to City's treble triumph. Grealish scored vital goals against Arsenal and Liverpool, started every Champions League knockout tie, and played his part in that 1-0 final win over Inter in Istanbul.

Since then, though, he has drifted. Guardiola's pecking order shifted, and last summer Grealish opted for a fresh start under Moyes. The loan included an option for Everton to buy him for £50 million, but the financial reality of his wages — understood to be around £300,000 a week — and lingering fitness concerns appear to have steered the Toffees towards another temporary arrangement.

The winger's recent appearances for City have been sporadic at best. He managed 45 minutes in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in Cardiff and came off the bench in the opening-day win over Bournemouth. Last week, he did not even travel to London for the 4-1 win at Crystal Palace as his exit became inevitable.

Having been left out of Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, Grealish spent the summer recuperating and missed City's pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea. He returns to Everton with something to prove.

Next summer, he will be a free agent. Whether that means a permanent move to Goodison or a fresh challenge elsewhere, one thing is clear: the £100 million man's time at the Etihad is drawing to a close.

City's transfer window is taking another twist, with a straight-cash deal for Everton's Iliman Ndiaye now looking increasingly likely. Reports suggest an agreement is in place for the Senegal forward, with no swap involved — despite some of the noise around a player exchange.

The move comes as the Blues' long-running interest in Liverpool's Cody Gakpo appears to have cooled. A deal for the Dutchman was thought to be close, but that now looks unlikely to materialise, particularly if Ndiaye arrives.

It seems there's no swap deal in place, with a straight fee being paid to Everton.

With the deadline looming, City are now expected to finalise two deals — one for Ndiaye and one for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. The midfield addition follows Allan's arrival in the last couple of days, suggesting the squad is being reshaped in more than one area.

Whether Gakpo still features remains uncertain. The door isn't shut, but it's hard to see both deals happening, and Ndiaye appears to be the priority.