How Man City could line up under Enzo Maresca with dream signing and key Pep Guardiola man dropped

Manchester City are poised to have Enzo Maresca in the Etihad Stadium dugout next season, with the Italian understood to have agreed a three-year deal to replace mentor Pep Guardiola.

Though not confirmed, multiple reports state that Guardiola has decided to leave City after lifting an incredible 20 trophies in 10 years at the club.

Having now told his players his decision after word got out, Guardiola will manage City for the 593rd and final time against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Maresca appears to have been the chosen Guardiola from quite some time and he is believed to have informed Chelsea of talks with the City top brass earlier this season.

He departed in January but Chelsea could still be entitled to compensation as he did not claim severance and had at least three-and-a-half years on his deal at Stamford Bridge.

Taking the reins at City appears to be a formality though, with Maresca returning for a third spell at a club where he serves as manager of the club's EDS (elite development squad) and a coach on Guardiola's staff in the treble-winning 2022/23 season.

Maresca has been inspired by Guardiola's famed approach and likes to play a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation but how will he put his own stamp on this City side?

SPORTbible has taken a look at how City could look under Maresca.

Goalkeeper - James Trafford

Guardiola abandoned a lot of his principles in signing Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain after he became available. James Trafford had been brought back from Burnley and looked set to be City's No.1 going forward, starting the first three games against Wolves, Spurs and Brighton.

He was forced to play second-fiddle to one of the world's best goalkeepers when Donnarumma came in but performed excellently in the cup competitions, playing every minute as City did the Carabao and FA Cup double.

Trafford is clear of Donnarumma when it comes to his feet and was Maresca's goalkeeper when he won the Premier League 2 title in 2020/21.

Defence - Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol

Matheus Nunes has shown remarkable improvements to nail down the right-back spot and should continue to play there under Maresca, though he may well be under instruction to invert more regularly.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi have developed a strong partnership that could be present for many years and Josko Gvardiol is still one of City's very best players and his versatility will be key.

Midfield - Rodri, Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly

A fit Rodri is the very best in the world in his position and he will be central to Maresca's plans, likely as the new captain. However, he does need assistance in midfield with the departure of Bernardo Silva and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson appears to be City's top target.

Now an England regular, Anderson could cost upwards of £80 million but is a entirely necessary investment for City - who will face competition from elsewhere. Although a different type of midfielder, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton could also be a good fit.

How Man City could line up under Enzo Maresca. Image: Line Up Builder

Nico O'Reilly's box-crashing abilities may see him play in his preferred midfield role going forward under Maresca. Phil Foden is suited to a deeper role in the midfield but need to rediscover his form before becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet once again.

Attack - Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku

City's attack does not need much change in all truth, although Savinho and Omar Marmoush could well move on in the summer. Rayan Cherki will be given a free role off the right as Maresca allowed with Cole Palmer at Chelsea, with Jeremy Doku now tasked with continuing to add goals to his game and ease the burden on talisman Erling Haaland - who simply has to play through the middle.

Antoine Semenyo will still have an important role to play on either flank throughout the season after scoring 10 goals following his £64 million move from Bournemouth and City could yet add another attacker to their options.