Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca targets next Rodri after midfielder's exit

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Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca during the Community Shield game against Premier League champions Arsenal. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said the club would look to find the next Rodri following the midfielder's ​departure to Barcelona, insisting City had repeatedly shown an ability to ‌replace key players.

Rodri, 30, ended a seven-year spell at ​City on August 18, bringing to a close a ⁠trophy-laden stay that included four Premier League titles, the Champions League and two FA Cups.

"I'll try to find a new Rodri - it is ‌what it is," Maresca told reporters on Saturday (August 22, 2026), a day ahead of City's Premier League opener against ‌Bournemouth.

"Rodri, before he arrived here, he didn't win the ‌Ballon ⁠d'Or, he didn't win the Champions League, he didn't ⁠win the Club World Cup. Then he joined the club and then he achieved many important things.” Maresca said.

FC Barcelona's Rodri is introduced in front of fans at Camp Nou. File | Photo Credit: Reuters

Maresca ‌acknowledged the Spain international would be difficult to replace but said City's recruitment history gave him confidence that a successor could emerge.

"When David Silva was here, everyone was worried – Kevin (De ‌Bruyne) arrived. When Sergio Aguero was here, everyone was ​worried – Erling (Haaland) arrived. When Fernandinho left, Rodri arrived. It's just about this," he said.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner and a member of Spain's European Championship-winning ‌team, further enhanced his reputation by captaining his country to World Cup glory last month and being named player of the tournament.

His departure is among several notable changes during the close season as City continue to reshape their squad.

Maresca said he expected further transfer activity before the window closes but ‌remained relaxed despite reports linking Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez with moves away.

"We ​need to adapt and we don't want to keep players here that don't want to stay. The ⁠normal thing in transfer windows is that you have to wait ⁠because all the clubs try to keep players until the last week and then sell for more money," ‌he said.

"It's normal. I'm not worried about that. When the transfer window closes and we have the squad ​there, for sure it will be different." Maresca said.