Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has a number of priorities for the next few weeks to shape the start of the season
Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca at Manchester City(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Enzo Maresca has only officially been Manchester City manager for less than a week, yet he has been preparing for much longer. Having first entertained the idea of succeeding Pep Guardiola last autumn and then getting the nod from the club a few months ago, there has been plenty of time to plan.
The next eight weeks should bring the outcome of that preparation as Maresca gets to grips with his new players and Hugo Viana works in the transfer market to give City the squad that they need. For all the work that will have already gone into the new project, they will have to be alive to different scenarios that can crop up with players or clubs changing minds on what will happen.
Some decisions are bigger than others, and Maresca certainly has a few seismic ones that must be prioritised. Working through those issues will set the new manager up for his first season at the club, either for success or disappointment.
Here is a look at the priorities for Maresca as he starts.
Follow the leader
When Guardiola walked through the door in 2016, Vincent Kompany was already in place as his club captain and he stayed for three years to provide strong and stable leadership. Maresca inherits a team without a skipper following the exit of Bernardo Silva on a free transfer.
There are players remaining who have been part of the leadership group and while it feels too early for Erling Haaland to get the captaincy, Ruben Dias or Rodri would both be strong shouts. Given the uncertainty around Rodri's future, it would certainly be telling if he were to take the armband.
The decision may already have been taken, and Marc Guehi has added to the leaders in the group, but as well as a marquee signing in Elliot Anderson the new coach needs a strong pick as captain to kickstart this new era.
Feel out who won't be used
The majority of those who will be returning for pre-season in two weeks are those who have question marks over their future. From Rico Lewis to Savinho, decisions have to be made by both players and the club over whether they will be part of the squad for the season.
Again, a lot of work will have already gone into this but Maresca will still want to see things for himself. Some players could work their way into his plans with their performances and attitude at the start of pre-season training, and equally others can effectively confirm their exit.
Squad size
If players are to leave, will they be replaced? Guardiola operated with pretty much the smallest feasible squad to compete in four competitions; plenty argued it was too small in the latter seasons, although it could be countered it was that the quality of player was lower.
Maresca will need to keep at least the same numbers and may even prefer more, but Guardiola's preference for small squads allowed City to pay big wages because there weren't as many players on the books. The money that has been offered to Guehi and Anderson since their moves is not the level that can support a squad significantly increasing in numbers.
Should Maresca want to work with a bigger group than is currently there, he will have to work with Ferran Soriano and Viana to make sure that City do not bust their wage structure. Any increase will place further pressure on City maintaining their level in recent years in all competitions to ensure they still draw in big money from sponsorships and broadcast revenue.
Make survival plan
The World Cup has further complicated the summer for City, who have had more players at the tournament than any other club. Most of those in the US won't be there for the start of pre-season and some may not be back until around the Community Shield against Arsenal.
That means that the best XI for the first Premier League game of the season and the opening weeks is very unlikely to be the best possible when everyone is available and fit. Maresca needs to work out which World Cup players he will be able to rely on at the start, which will need to be rested, and which of the other players can offer leading roles to help him navigate the start of the campaign.