Enzo Maresca has been in his new job as Manchester City boss just six weeks, but already he may be on the cusp of having to make a tough decision. With Rodri heavily linked with a move back to his native Spain, Maresca's first challenge may well be to find a replacement for a World Cup-winning captain and Ballon d'Or winner. Rodri, 30, is in the final year of his contract and City have already rejected a £38.5m bid from Barcelona following interest from Real Madrid.
After helping the Blues win the Treble in 2023 then triumphing at the Euros with Spain a year later, an anterior cruciate ligament injury derailed Rodri's dominance somewhat. But he showed glimpses of his brilliance for City last season before returning to the Rodri of old as he captained Spain to World Cup success in the summer. His stock is high, and a move from Manchester after seven seasons with the club would leave a huge hole for Maresca to fill.
So who are the leading candidates to step into the Spaniard's boots? Talk of City signing Bouaddi has been rumbling all summer, and the club have reportedly held talks with the Moroccan,, external who would cost an estimated £85m. 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.
Bouaddi functions as a deep-lying conductor - much in the same vein as Rodri - and would complement summer signing Elliot Anderson, who is more of a box-to-box midfielder. Taking into account the loss of Bernardo Silva, it is not just Rodri that City are trying to replace and, with 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, Bouaddi possesses a level of experience beyond his age. Age: 25 Country: Argentina Club: Chelsea City have been heavily linked with Fernandez, and he is currently the favoured option for Maresca, who worked with him at Chelsea.
But the London club are expected to stand firm on their £120m valuation - a hefty sum considering City have already spent £116m on Anderson. Maresca made Fernandez captain at Chelsea in the absence of Reece James. The Italian clearly sees Fernandez as not only a talented player but also a leader, something City would be shorn of should Rodri move on.
No-one has made more Premier League appearances under Maresca than the Argentine, whose attacking intent and runs into the opposition box are attractive. Fernandez returned to Chelsea training this week after helping Argentina reach the World Cup final, where he was sent off as they lost to Spain. And Chelsea have set a deadline of on Friday for any offers for him as they look to bring an end to uncertainty over his future before the season.
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