Manchester City begin their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on Sunday
Enzo Maresca(Image: ©INPHO/Paul Nealon)
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Enzo Maresca faces a tough task following in the steps of Pep Guardiola.
Not least as the Spaniard had a specific trait, he could get players to listen, do what they are told, stick to the plan.
"City were really poor last Sunday and I think the manager would have said that himself,” says former Citizen star Richard Dunne,“ and anyone associated with City would say they weren't anywhere near where they need to be.
"I think they'll be much better than what they were last weekend but there will be periods of it not being perfect and, first up, a period of sort of rotation and everyone trying to find their role.
"But if City can finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League, that will have been a successful season for them."
Maresca's toughest job, given the significant transfers out, will be finding out who is right for his first eleven.
"Jeremy Doku is great when Pep has a hold and is telling him what to do, drilling some stuff into him but whether he takes that same message from someone else or just becomes his own Jeremy Doku instead of following Pep's ideology, I don't know and that can be the difference.
"Enzo Maresca was at Chelsea for 17/18 months, and Chelsea were seventh or eighth, a mid-table team, so he hasn't proven himself to be the manager.
“When the message is coming from someone who's won everything in the game, it's a completely different from a novice in terms of managing at this level."
Moreover City's disparate talent spread across so many nationalities allied to the club lofty expectations can make them a difficult team to sign for.
"A lot of players struggled when they first sign for City, couldn't get to grips with what was being asked of them from Pep and until they allowed themselves to be coached by him, then you see the best of them.
"Doku's actually a good example, he was hit and miss. He could dribble past three players and kick it into the stand - there was nothing at the end of it - whereas now he has started to add that finish and touch, and hopefully he's developed enough as a player that he can do it on his own.
"There's certain players that need coaching, that need guidance all the time, and he might be one of them and there might be a few others."
Elliot Anderson, for instance, who was bought over the summer for a record fee at the time for an English footballer, has yet to look comfortable.
"City have this big midfield gap that needs filling and they're basically trying to get two or three players to replace Rodri - that's going to be a huge part for them because he does so much for the team.
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"They've lost Bernardo Silva too and, last year, Kevin De Bruyne as well while I don't think Adam Morton will be a City player, I just don't. I'd imagine it would be somebody else, whether that's Enzo Fernandez or whomever.
"Jack Grealish is there but I don't think he's the answer long term but I think that somebody will have to come in on transfer before he is let go."
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