Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has left two stars in no doubt about what is expected of them in the new era
Enzo Maresca gives instructions to Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen back in November 2024
Enzo Maresca gives instructions to Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen back in November 2024(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Enzo Maresca ticked off another task on his Manchester City to-do list on Wednesday evening as the club confirmed seven new coaches for the 2026/27 season. Among the new arrivals was former City goalkeeper Willy Caballero who joins as one of Maresca's trusted assistants having worked with him at Leicester and Chelsea.
Also arriving in Manchester is new head of goalkeeping Michele De Bernardin who will work alongside Richard Wright. De Bernardin's arrival is the latest change to the goalkeeping department and there could yet be more to come.
Pep Guardiola had the luxury of two No.1s last season with Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford battling out to be first choice. Donnarumma won the battle with the Italian starting the majority of Premier League and Champions League fixtures. Trafford did make his point in the cup competitions though.
He was a stalwart in the Carabao and FA Cups as City went on to win both competitions. Trafford's display in the League Cup final against Arsenal was particularly impressive and garnered attention from other clubs - notably Newcastle. Trafford will be making a decision on his future after the World Cup.
But, should Trafford wish to challenge Donnarumma for the starting spot next season, he will be on red alert to the demands Maresca has of his goalkeepers. Following Chelsea's 4-0 win over Southampton in 2025, Maresca sent a strong message to goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
The 24-year-old was jeered by his own supporters as he persistently played short passes out from the back. When questioned about this, Maresca said: "My message to Filip was if you play a long ball, I will change you - but it is difficult for Filip or Robert [Sanchez] when he is playing.
"It is difficult for all the 'keepers, but they should just follow the plan."
Donnarumma, Trafford and all of the City squad are familiar with a head coach who likes to stick stringently to a plan. So Maresca's determination to play his brand of football at all costs will not concern them massively. However, his insistence on playing short will perhaps be greeted differently by the two goalkeepers.
Trafford is perceived as being more comfortable playing short passes from the back. This quality was why many thought he would be the ideal goalkeeper for the Guardiola system when he returned to City from Burnley.
Donnarumma's strengths lie elsewhere. Last season, the Italian goalkeeper played long balls 31.2 per cent of the time, according to DataMB.
Furthermore, only 53.9 per cent of passes were considered to be short. For a manager desperate for his goalkeepers to follow the short-passing plan, that would be considered a red flag.
Who Scored adds that Donnarumma completed 80.3 per cent of passes in the Premier League last season which is significantly higher than Trafford's in the Carabao Cup (68.6 per cent). The Italian could argue that going long does not necessarily mean possession is squandered, but the question will be whether Maresca is willing to adapt.
Guardiola did that last season when he signed Donnarumma. He is arguably the best shot-stopper in the Premier League but he can be caught out when playing out from the back.
The battle for No.1 could become very interesting next season.