Enzo Maresca Eyes Five Former Chelsea Stars to Bolster Man City's Squad

Manchester City are confronting their most significant challenge in ten years following the exits of Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva and John Stones since last season's conclusion. Rodri could still follow suit as Real Madrid begin to show genuine reciprocal interest in the midfielder.

Enzo Maresca has been swiftly installed as Guardiola's replacement, tasked with ensuring a smooth transition as he steps into his former mentor's shoes.

Before the prospect of Rodri's departure gathered momentum, City had already secured Elliot Anderson in a club-record deal from Nottingham Forest—one that briefly crowned him the most expensive English player in history. Though the original plan was almost certainly to deploy him alongside Rodri.

Manchester City's squad needs targeted reinforcements and added depth rather than a wholesale overhaul.

Man City Resurrect Pedro Neto Interest

With a winger move firmly on the agenda, the Daily Mail reports that Chelsea's Pedro Neto is among the names being considered. Yan Diomande and Ibrahim Mbaye are two further options.

Such a move would reunite Neto with Maresca, under whom he made 77 appearances, racked up 27 goal contributions, and ranked as the manager's seventh most-utilized player throughout 2024–25.

This interest isn't purely driven by Maresca's arrival in Manchester, as City had already been linked with Neto alongside several other clubs back in 2024, before he ultimately joined Chelsea.

It does, however, raise the question of which other players the Italian coached at Stamford Bridge could now become transfer targets following his return to the Etihad Stadium.

Which Other Chelsea Players Could Man City Target?

From a practical standpoint, Malo Gusto would be a worthwhile addition for Manchester City, given the lack of quality depth at right back.

Matheus Nunes, a natural midfielder, continues to be City's primary option in that position, while academy product Rico Lewis spent much of last season either sidelined through injury or out of the starting plans.

The main obstacle for City is a reported £75 million ($100 million) asking price.

The remainder of the defensive unit is in stronger shape, with Marc Guéhi already secured to effectively fill Stones' void ahead of time, and Vitor Reis now back at the club following a developmental loan spell at Girona. Maresca also has three options at left back: Nico O'Reilly, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Joško Gvardiol.

In the engine room, Enzo Fernández had attracted interest, but perhaps the more suitable candidate to fill Rodri's boots would be Moisés Caicedo, however ambitious that may seem. The Ecuador international would complement Anderson in a central midfield partnership, though prising him away would be near impossible.

Speculation that Cole Palmer is homesick in London and yearns for a return to Manchester refuses to die down. Maresca never witnessed the same electrifying breakout form that Mauricio Pochettino was fortunate enough to experience in 2023–24, yet Palmer's talent and quality are perfectly suited to the right setting.

City recently tied Phil Foden down to a new deal, but that doesn't preclude room for another versatile attacker as the club plans to compete across four competitions well into 2027. Should Palmer return and regularly share duties with Foden and Rayan Cherki, City would be the envy of every rival.

Finally, what about an upgrade on Omar Marmoush? The Egyptian made a stunning start to his City career after arriving in January 2025, but endured a deeply underwhelming campaign last season, managing just one Premier League goal before May. Again, convincing Chelsea to sell one of their standout performers wouldn't be straightforward, but step forward João Pedro.

The Brazilian has never been a prolific goal machine, yet he netted 20 times in 50 appearances last season and would offer reliable support and backup for Erling Haaland.