Manchester City

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Jack Grealish made a somewhat unexpected return to the Manchester City team on Sunday - so what could his future hold?

Grealish has the chance of a fresh start under a new manager at City in Maresca.

The Italian did say after Sunday's game that Grealish will get games if he stays and impresses.

But it still feels more than likely he will end up leaving.

"Is Grealish going to be the player to change City and make a difference this season?" asked ex-Scotland winger Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I don't think many people think that's going to happen for Jack at Manchester City, but it's a chance to say to any suitors at all that he's available, he's fit and he does look good.

"He's done enough for me to think he'll do a job for somebody."

Grealish could yet return to Everton. The Toffees opted not to make the deal permanent for City's rumoured valuation of £50m this summer.

But with one year left on his supposed £300,000-a-week deal, and with Grealish likely to be a substitute at best, City are surely going to be open to lower or loan offers.

For now, he remains City's player, with just that lingering possibility he could still revive his career at the Etihad.

• Read more on Grealish

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So, Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lille over a move for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

City want to conclude the transfer this week after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona.

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

Bouaddi impressed at this summer's World Cup - starting five of Morocco's six 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.

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

Is Bouaddi a suitable replacement for Rodri? Do you think his arrival would make Maresca's midfield stronger? And what do you think will happen in terms of Fernandez?

Get in touch with your views here

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Ant: Why are the headlines about how poor City were? We played pretty football for two decades and won nothing. We were almost top scorers last season, with admittedly a lot of set-plays but also some good football. I urge you to watch the Jose Mourinho documentary and see the type of football that won them the league. The squad looks great, the fans are happy and expecting. Come on, you Reds!

Michael: Enjoyed it and thought it was a timely message of intent. Great start and some really good performances. Some need to up concentration, but overall a worthy win.

Gabriel: People wanted beautiful football - there it is. Odegaard looks like a shiny new signing and he absolutely dominated the game. Tzolis looks bright and Raya sharp as always. Let's win more trophies!

Carol: Well done, Arsenal - well deserved. The first piece of silverware, with others to follow this season, I'm sure. The journey of a legendary team starts here.

Man City fans

GC: Poor, poor, poor. Let's not kid ourselves, we started a strong XI. No passion, no courage, no idea. Why is Kovacic still here? How is Lewis still in the squad? Dias too! Doku and Semenyo ineffective. Donnarumma OMG! Looked very similar to a Pellegrini performance. Bleak outlook for the season.

Andy: We should be prepared to adjust to changes with the manager and team selection. Pep didn't win anything in his first season - we don't want any kneejerk reaction after just one result.

Barrie: City now look so ordinary with a poor squad overall. Rebuilding necessary fairly quickly, starting with replacement of the goalkeeper.

Ged: First, well done Arsenal. They played us off the park and there's no complaints. Secondly, it's only the first game, so on to the real stuff next week. Some City fans calling for Maresca's head - really?? Calm down. You can always spot the real fans from the glory hunters. Let's see how things are after 30 or so games.

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Izzy Christiansen say it is important to not "be too emotional or rash" following Manchester City's defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield.

New City manager Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola over the summer, played down the importance of the result at full-time knowing that there is still work to be done ahead of the new Premier League season.

"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."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Manchester City are keen to sign Portugal winger Pedro Neto, 26, from Chelsea but face competition from Al-Hilal. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Elizabeth Conway
Spanish football reporter

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City for about £65m

The 30-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, is set to sign a four-year deal with the Spanish champions.

Rodri leaves City having won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League in 2022-23.

But who can replace him at City?

Talk of City signing 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi has been rumbling all summer, and the club have reportedly held talks with the Moroccan, who would cost an estimated £85m and is said to be keen on the move.

The teenager impressed at this summer's World Cup after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.

Man City's interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez has been no secret, despite not submitting a bid for the Argentine before the Blues' Friday deadline.

Man City boss Maresca is clearly a fan of Fernandez, having made him Chelsea captain when Reece James was injured, and he played the Argentine in 79 of his 92 games in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Another potential midfield signing is Bournemouth's Alex Scott.

Scott's energy and ball-carrying ability suit Maresca's preferred style of play - with a heavy emphasis on possession - while his passes into the box and ability to win duels make him an appealing option.

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister also interests Maresca.

The Argentine is into the final two years of his contract at Anfield and has been a consistent presence in the Reds' midfield during his time there, though he struggled for form during a troublesome 2025-26 season

City fans, what is your reaction to the news of Rodri's exit? And what should City do next?

Let us know here

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester City were playing their first competitive game without Pep Guardiola as their manager in over 10 years, since Manuel Pellegrini oversaw a 1-1 draw with Swansea in May, 2016.

This was not the result they were hoping for.

Arsenal took the lead after just 23 seconds, doubled their advantage thanks to some static City defending in the 23rd minute and added a third three minutes into the second half.

Their defeat was the biggest in the Community Shield since 2014, when Arsene Wenger's Arsenal also beat Pellegrini's City 3-0.

New manager Enzo Maresca gave £116m signing Elliot Anderson his competitive City debut and started Phil Foden, who had been out of favour under Guardiola last season.

Jack Grealish also came on in the second half for his first City appearance in 15 months.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think the goal we conceded after 25 seconds unfortunately affected the game in that moment. I think after the goal, the reaction was quite good before they scored the second one, we had three or four chances to score and draw the game but unfortunately we conceded the second one and it became more complicated."

On the early goal: "Disappointed with that because in this kind of game the level is so similar that when you concede a goal, it then becomes difficult but I think the action after the first goal was quite good and we created chances but again, 2-0 was even more complicated."

On City's performance aside from the goals: "After the first one I was quite happy because we didn't concede nothing [again], and we created three or four chances to draw the game but unfortunately we conceded the second one, and there is a mistake there but it's just the beginning.

"Then from next Sunday we start the Premier League and then the focus has to be about that."

On what needs to be done: "We have many things to work [on]. The season's just started so there are many things we need to do better but even when we win games there are things we need to do better."

Did you know?

• Enzo Maresca suffered the joint-heaviest defeat by a Manchester City manager in their first game, with Harry Newbould in 1906 the only previous one to lose by 3+ goals (1-4 v Arsenal).

• City's 0-3 loss is Maresca's joint-heaviest defeat as a manager in English football, having only once previously lost by a 3+ goal margin (Chelsea 0-3 Brighton in February 2025).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Manchester City's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

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Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has no easy task following Pep Guardiola's impressive 10-year act.

For many, his appointment suggests a continuation in tactical approach. But Maresca, despite clearly being inspired by his former mentor, has his own style and it is one we have started to see emerge across pre-season.

To understand Maresca's City we need to provide some context about Guardiola's.

Guardiola, by some, is mistakenly thought to be strictly married to a singular approach. But, while he had principles he stuck to throughout his career, he did not stick to one system.

These principles included keeping as much of the ball as possible, as far away from his team's goal and as close to the opponent's goal. His game was also founded on the basis of positional play.

Domenec Torrent, a long-time assistant of Guardiola's, offered a nice definition of positional play. He described it as: "How you place yourself in relation to others on the field when you have the ball, and where you should be so you can continue pressing when you lose it".

The coach implements tactics based on the positions of players, in the hope of giving their team an advantage.

Maresca's City also embody these principles, evident by their 64% possession in their first pre-season game against Inter Milan.

On the ball, players in Maresca's set-up play in clearly defined positions rather than moving around the pitch freely. It is obvious the Italian, like Guardiola, is a champion of positional play.

We have also seen Maresca leave four or five players - the three defenders and the holding midfielders - behind the ball whilst they attack, ensuring his team maintains a good 'rest defence'.

Read the full article here

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

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Out of possession is where we have seen the biggest changes from Enzo Maresca compared to his time at Stamford Bridge.

At Chelsea, Maresca mainly used a man-to-man press high up the pitch. In pre-season we have seen Manchester City defend high up the pitch but in a more zonal fashion - something they did last season under Pep Guardiola.

City's starting shape here has looked like a 4-2-4, before players spring to press certain opponents when the moment is right.

Reflecting on how the game has changed in pre-season, Maresca said: "Usually the team that was defending found the solution by going man-to-man.

"Now the teams that try to build up are trying to find solutions against man-to-man. I don't know when but there is going to be a bit of change."

And his change in defensive approach appears to be trying to ensure his side are ready for teams who are preparing to play against man-to-man presses more often.

In pre-season, this has been the weakest part of City's system with players, often in midfield or at full-back, having to cover large distances, leaving gaps in their defensive shape.

Like with any defensive approach that involves an element of pressing, this improves with time, as players better understand the press, as well as when physical condition improves.

But this something Guardiola tweaked often last season, struggling to land on something he was completely happy with.

There is benefit in Maresca's hire following Guardiola because it provides a sense of familiarity, particularly in terms of the team's identity and their principles.

Maresca's system is its own, but interestingly there are references to City's last decade as the club look to begin a new chapter.

Read the full article here