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Izzy Christiansen believes the evolution of Manchester City's midfield under new manager Enzo Maresca will be "interesting" to monitor following their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in Sunday's Community Shield.

"In Maresca's post-match interview he sounded calm and collected, which is the managerial style he has displayed at Chelsea and Leicester City," said Christiansen on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"He knows the job that he has and if they can transition whilst still qualifying for Europe or being title contenders then that's huge success.

"Regardless of what is happening with Rodri, the midfield is the most interesting area of the team. He finished with Nico Gonzalez, Rayan Cherki and Rico Lewis which didn't look right.

"He was probably protecting Elliot Anderson in terms of minutes, and Phil Foden didn't see the game through, but I question how he is going to evolve that midfield without Rodri.

"There will be eyes on them until the transfer window shuts to see who they replace Rodri with, should he depart, and that will be key."

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

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Ayyoub Bouaddi impressed at this summer's World Cup - starting all of Morocco's five matches in their run to the quarter-finals - after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.

He functions as a deep-lying conductor and would complement summer signing Elliot Anderson, who is comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder as well as the number six role he plays for England.

Bouaddi has played 88 times for Lille since making his debut in October 2023, three days after his 16th birthday, and helped them finish third in Ligue 1 last season.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Manchester City have entered into advanced talks with Lille over a move for Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The Premier League side want to conclude the midfielder's transfer this week following their agreement to sell Rodri to Barcelona.

It is understood Lille value the 18-year-old at 100 million euros (£85.6m).

It remains to be seen how a successful move for Bouaddi would impact City's interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, but well-placed sources maintain that City boss Enzo Maresca retains a strong interest in the Argentina midfielder.

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While you ponder that, let's head back to Manchester City...

What do you think about Guglielmo Vicario's proposed loan move to Juventus?

A good move for both Tottenham and the player, or would you rather the Italian goalkeeper stayed to fight for the number one spot?

If you believe Spurs need to replace him, then who should they go for?

Send us your thoughts using the Get Involved button.

And remember, you can also send in a question for the BBC Sport reporters.

Thanks.

With Antonin Kinsky stepping up to take the number one jersey at the end of last season, and experienced stopper Martin Dubravka signing on a free transfer over the summer, the question is whether Tottenham need to further bolster their goalkeeping ranks?

Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham signed Guglielmo Vicario in 2023 from Serie A side Empoli for a fee of around £17.2m.

He was the second signing for then manager Ange Postecoglou, brought in to replace Hugo Lloris, who left the club in 2024.

The Italy international's contract with Spurs is set to end in 2028.

He won the Europa League in 2025 with Tottenham and made 117 appearances for the club.

Vicario started his career at Udinese and had spells at Cagliari, Perugia and Venezia before joining Empoli in July 2021 following their promotion to Serie A.

Tottenham, meanwhile, bolstered their goalkeeping ranks over the summer, putting further pressure on Guglielmo Vicario's place in the squad.

They secured the signing of former Newcastle United keeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer, following the Slovakian's departure from relegated Burnley.

Vicario made 43 appearances for Spurs last season but lost his place in the starting line-up to Antonin Kinsky and played his last game for the club on 22 March.

Here are the goalkeeper options Spurs have available to them:

• Antonin Kinsky
• Brandon Austin
• Martin Dubravka

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Image source, Getty Images

Despite Aston Villa's breakdown in talks with Juventus over Emiliano Martinez's potential move, Unai Emery's side are still closing in on the signing of Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Japan international Suzuki has been one of Villa's top targets and the deal, reportedly for around £30m, is progressing.

Suzuki was born in America but qualifies for Japan through his mother and played all four of their matches at the World Cup this summer.

The 23-year-old has made 59 appearances for Parma since joining from J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds in 2024.

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The news of Juve's swoop for Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario follows a story that developed slowly overnight about a breakdown in talks between the Serie A side and Aston Villa over a deal for their Argentina stopper Emiliano Martinez.

The Athletic, external reported that the 33-year-old would not be joining Juventus this summer.

Reporter David Ornstein said that talks had reduced the price gap between the two clubs, but Villa were holding out for a flat fee of 10m euros (£8.6m) while Juventus were only prepared to pay 7m euros (£6m) up front, even though they were willing to meet the overall fee with add-ons.

• Click here for a full round-up of today's transfer gossip.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport reporter

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is set to join Juventus on loan with an option to buy.

Juve have swooped in for the 29-year-old Italian after a deal for Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez fell through.

The option to buy is £8.6m but is not mandatory.

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We are sure to return to Rodri later, but have a bit of breaking transfer news to bring you...

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter on 5 Live

Losing Rodri is huge, and it showed yesterday in Manchester City's midfield performance [against Arsenal in their 3-0 defeat in the Community Shield].

They're going to struggle to do it, it was so open, and Arsenal dominated them quite easy really.

I know Arsenal strengthened in the transfer window and have a good midfield anyway, but Matteo Kovacic is not at the level of Rodri, and it really showed yesterday.

Elliot Anderson will take a little bit of time to settle, get up to speed and sharpness again after the World Cup.

We've seen City are looking at Enzo Fernandez, but, as Enzo Maresca said, Rodri is a World Cup winner and a Balon d'Or winner, so it's very hard to replace someone like that.

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Back in February 2024, then Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola labelled Rodri "the best midfield player in the world by far".

Guardiola, who signed Rodri from Atletico Madrid in 2019, said: "It’s because he’s able to do everything.

"So the tempo he has, especially his character when the situation is going wrong, he steps forward to arrive to the box, go backwards, the ability to play short and long. He’s always ready.

“What a signing. Manchester City signed a player that is difficult to understand what we have done in recent years without him. It would’ve been difficult.”

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Since joining Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has been one of the most influential figures during an unprecedented period of success for the club.

Here are his stats from his seven seasons at the Etihad:

• 298 games
• 28 assists
• 32 goals
• Four Premier League titles
• Two FA Cups
• Three League Cups
• One Champions League
• One Community Shield
• One Super Cup
• One Club World Cup

£62.8m well spent?

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By joining Barcelona, Rodri would play for the third different La Liga club of his career.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner started his career at Rayo Majadahonda before joining Atletico Madrid in 2007 at the age of 11.

However, Rodri's first spell in the Spanish capital lasted only two years, as he was released by Atletico in 2013.

But he continued his pursuit of a professional career by signing for Villarreal.

The Spaniard eventually broke into the club's first team in 2015 and made more than 60 La Liga appearances before returning to Atletico Madrid in 2018.

Rodri's return to Atleti lasted just one season before Premier League champions Manchester City signed him in 2019 for a then club-record fee of £62.5m.

In 2023, Rodri helped Manchester City win the Treble, while in 2024 he became the first Premier League player in more than a decade to win the Ballon d'Or.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Rodri is a supremely gifted midfielder with many talents, but surely his most important role for Manchester City was his ability to protect the back four and help the side dominate possession.

He may not possess the mobility of a Claude Makelele or N'Golo Kante, but few holding midfielders in the game have had Rodri's presence and gravitas.

Maybe Fernando Hierro, when he stepped into midfield later in his career?

But Matt's shout of Fernandinho, Rodri's predecessor at City, is certainly a good one.

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