JuicyTalk
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has defended the club’s £450 million summer spending spree, insisting the overhaul was necessary if they are to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title.
City completed a major rebuild during the transfer window, with deadline-day arrivals Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye making their debuts in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Coventry.
The pair were the final additions to a squad that has undergone significant changes, with City spending more than £450 million during the summer.
Maresca believes the depth available to Arsenal shows why City needed to strengthen their own squad if they are serious about competing at the top of the table.
“If you see since the Community Shield, Arsenal play two more games [against Coventry and Aston Villa] and they have five changes in every game,” Maresca said.
“Two World Cup winners, [Mikel] Merino and [Martin] Zubimendi, two England players, [Eberechi] Eze and [Noni] Madueke, and the other one I don’t remember, I think it was [Piero] Hincapie.
“In the end, if you want to be there you need options. Arsenal have options. We have options. More teams have options so it’s not just us. I’m very happy with the options we have, that is something important for us if you want to compete.”
Maresca praises Anderson’s attitude
Maresca was particularly impressed by Anderson’s approach since joining the club, highlighting his willingness to learn as well as his performances on the pitch.
“Really impressed, but not just today,” Maresca said.
“He was very good against Palace. He was also very good against Bournemouth having only been one week with us when we changed him for cramp.
“But the best thing with Elliot is the day by day. He is asking how he can learn, we sit with him in one-on-one video [analysis] and he wants to be better and that is the best thing for any player.”
City have won all three of their Premier League matches under Maresca so far and currently sit among the early challengers at the top of the table.
