Enzo Maresca ‘not worried or concerned’ as Man City shape squad before deadline

Enzo Maresca insists he is “not worried or concerned” about Manchester City’s summer business despite a raft of departures and the looming transfer deadline.

Influential World Cup-winning midfielder Rodri and Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders this week left the club and look set to be followed by Brazil winger Savinho.

Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush could also move on before the closure of a transfer window that opened with the departures of John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Nathan Ake.

England midfielder Elliot Anderson, signed from Nottingham Forest for £116million, has so far been the only major arrival but new manager Maresca is hopeful any further outgoings will be replaced.

The Italian said: “Apart from Rodri, they all have one thing in common – they didn’t play a lot.

“They all want to play, and when they don’t play they would prefer to leave.

“It’s always complicated when someone leaves and someone else arrives, but for sure we will need more options if players go out. If some leave, some must arrive.

“I’m not worried or concerned. Since day one we have known exactly what we need. I am working with the club and the sporting director.

“There are 10 or 11 days to go and many things can happen. We don’t have a minimum or maximum number (of players). If we win or lose games, we are not going to change our perspective on how many players we need.”

The loss of Rodri, whose successes over seven seasons at City included four Premier League titles and the Champions League, is likely to be keenly felt.

The Spaniard’s last two years at the club were curtailed by injury problems but he was back to his best and named player of the tournament as Spain won the World Cup in the summer.

The situation is far from ideal for Maresca as he steps into the void left by Pep Guardiola.

He said: “It’s quite clear that when players say they want to leave, for any reason, then it is complicated to convince them to change their mind.

“It happened with Rodri and the same thing is happening with Savinho. Since day one he has said that he wants to leave.”

City are understood to be progressing in talks for Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi and continue to be linked with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez despite apparently missing a deadline imposed by the London club.

Maresca, speaking at a press conference to preview Sunday’s Premier League opener at home to Bournemouth, said he was “not going to talk about players who are not with us”.

“I think it’s a lack of respect,” he said.

Maresca faces a big task in succeeding Guardiola but is convinced he has the tools required for success.

“It’s a big change, but we will be ready to compete,” said Maresca, who is without the injured Jeremy Doku this weekend. “The reason I am here is because I want to win titles and carry on what this club has done for the last 15 years.

“There is not something magic, it’s something that you need to build, and we’re going to build.”