Enzo Maresca plans, Bernardo Silva replacement and Omar Marmoush – Man City questions answered

The plans of incoming boss Maresca and how City intend to replace some modern-day greats feature in this week’s list of questions.

Following the signing of Elliot Anderson, could the club still pursue another midfielder? Are players like Nico Paz, Ayyoub Bouaddi, or Felix Nmecha on the radar, despite their different profiles and positions? (Jim)

Hi Jim, yes the club could absolutely move for another midfielder. As we’ve reported, Sandro Tonali is one of the players that they have been looking at that was seen as in addition to Elliot Anderson rather than instead of him. City’s midfield is still a puzzle that needs sorting this summer and there could be several moving pieces so Hugo Viana has to be alive to pouncing for at least another midfielder. That doesn’t mean they definitely will sign one but it has been on the radar for a while.

In terms of the names you mention, Nico Paz looks to be unavailable given Real Madrid’s ownership of him. Felix Nmecha has been linked to City before because of his history coming through the academy, although as far as I’m aware he isn’t a player of interest to the Blues. That leaves Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is increasing his burgeoning reputation at the World Cup with dark horses Morocco.

At 18, Bouaddi is an exciting young talent and City will have been aware of him for some time given their scouting presence in France, but there are also warning signs that this could be a classic auction engineered for the best clubs to bid against each other – especially if Bouaddi impresses even more this summer and those aren’t the situations City like to get themselves into.

Since Omar Marmoush’s form has fallen below Man City standards now, is there a likelihood of him going out on loan or transfer? City need good support for Erling Haaland. (Obi Ojechi)

Marmoush is another interesting player to watch at the World Cup. He had a year that frustrated both himself and the team, with memories of his excellent start fading fast as he struggled to push Erling Haaland for a place in the team. It can be a thankless task to be deputy to the best No.9 in the world and there is a shelf life, so this is a summer where Marmoush and City both have to consider what is best and the World Cup could tip the balance in terms of clubs making offers.

It is of course entirely plausible though that Marmoush stays, and City aren’t actively looking for a replacement as they prioritise other areas of the pitch. City and Marmoush can’t afford the next season to be like the last one, but with other changes and a new coach there are plenty of reasons to suggest it can be different if there is willing on both sides.

Will the new manager give more access to the first team to academy players? (Martin P)

Hi Martin, it’s an interesting question in as much as I’m not sure if the suggestion is that Pep Guardiola did or did not give access. They were physically in another building, but were also more involved in training than many youth teams at other top clubs and there were plenty of minutes given to homegrown players.

Maresca will obviously have a big interest in the academy but you suspect he will also like having experienced players to count on given his frustrations at Chelsea. I think if Maresca continues with a similar approach to Guardiola that would suit nearly everyone.

Hi Simon, if City end up selling several homegrown players this summer, could that influence the club’s recruitment strategy? Do you think future transfer targets will be more focused on homegrown players to help maintain the squad registration requirements? Thanks! Alfa

Ah, the dreaded quotas. We wrote about this a few days ago, although I do think while it is obviously something that needs to be taken into consideration it usually all works out in the end. As far as association-trained players go the fact that Elliot Anderson, Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi have come in works for City but it is the club-trained players that are the issue – especially if, as you suggest, James Trafford and Rico Lewis leave.

One of the reasons these things have rarely been a problem under Guardiola is that the manager preferred small squads, so we will see if there are changes with Maresca. There is Nico O’Reilly and Phil Foden to bank on though, and then you wonder if being homegrown could help a few academy players to earn spots on the fringes of the squad as opposed to those who wouldn’t be eligible; it won’t have a major say though.

Is the club looking to sign a right-back this summer? If so, are there any names being discussed? Is Givairo Read a player the club are interested in? (Jim)

Hi Jim, yes as we’ve reported for a while now right-back is a position of interest and so is Givairo Read. I think the last week has been pretty telling in terms of where City are at with right-backs. They didn’t offer a strong challenge to Chelsea on Marco Palestra at around £45m and then had no interest in Malo Gusto at £75m.

For a while now, several people around the Etihad have spoken of Matheus Nunes as though it is his shirt to lose so he will be treated as the first choice right-back. Because of that, City want to push him but they won’t be wanting to spend a small fortune on someone who won’t be expected to come straight into the first team.

Paying a transfer record for Anderson, is it that there are no other alternatives or is he really worth that much? (Gildas)

Time will tell, Gildas. I think it’s a good price though, and a City record is very different from a British record. You have to ask yourself how much Bernardo Silva will cost to replace, and how much multiple Premier League teams – Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea in recent years – have been willing to pay for top midfielder players. It is the same ballpark as what City have paid for Anderson, who they think deserves to be counted in that bracket.

I’m willing to be very wrong but I think he will prove to be worth the money and a good value signing – but it needs time to assess it properly.