Maresca seeks ‘new Rodri’ as City prepare for Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca says Manchester City must respond to Rodri’s departure by identifying the next player capable of filling the void, as the club prepares to open its Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth.

Maresca’s answer to Rodri exit

Rodri’s move to Barcelona for £65m represents an early challenge for Maresca in his first season in charge. Even so, the City manager made clear he does not view the loss of such an influential midfielder as a reason for panic.

His argument is rooted in the club’s recent history. Maresca pointed to a pattern of major figures leaving or nearing the end of their cycle, only for City to recruit another top-level successor. In his view, the task now is straightforward in principle, even if difficult in practice: find the “new Rodri”.

He referenced previous transitions involving David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Agüero, Erling Haaland, Fernandinho and Rodri himself, presenting change as a normal part of elite squad building rather than a crisis.

City’s recruitment model under scrutiny again

Maresca’s comments underline the standard expected at Manchester City. Replacing a player widely regarded as one of the best in his position is not about finding a like-for-like copy overnight, but about recruiting the next footballer who can grow into that level within the club’s structure.

That was central to his message. Rodri did not arrive with every major honour already secured, and Maresca’s point was that development at City can turn outstanding players into defining ones. The challenge for the club now is to repeat that process.

The Italian also reiterated a stance long associated with Pep Guardiola: if a player wants to leave, there is little value in forcing the issue. Maresca said he would not block the departure of someone who is unhappy, believing that commitment is essential to performance.

Focus turns to Bournemouth after Arsenal loss

City go into Sunday’s meeting with Bournemouth on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield in Cardiff. Maresca said the frustration around that result was both understandable and expected.

He acknowledged that the immediate reaction inside the camp was one of disappointment, but stressed that attention quickly had to shift to the next assignment. For the new manager, the key has been ensuring the squad moves on rapidly and channels that frustration into its league opener.

That response will be watched closely, not only because of the result against Arsenal but because it comes at the start of a new era under Maresca.

Early signs under the new head coach

Maresca also offered an encouraging assessment of the players’ application since he took charge. He said their attitude in training has been very good, while acknowledging the scale of the adjustment after working under Guardiola for so long.

That transition is one of the themes of City’s opening weeks: a new manager, the departure of Rodri, and the demand for an immediate reaction on the pitch. Bournemouth are the next test, but Maresca’s broader message was about continuity.

At City, he believes, the answer to losing a major player is not to dwell on what has gone, but to recruit well and start again.