There are many things that Manchester City and Manchester United have in common - but one thing decisively separates them this season.
Based just five miles apart and united by a shared desire to return to the top of the Premier League, their gameplans are almost diametrically opposed.
The best teams in the world often play in similar ways, as demonstrated in last season's Champions League final between between Paris St-Germain and ******* nal - teams who use similar shapes, look to dominate the ball, and encourage rotations into fixed positions.
But looking ahead to Sunday's Manchester derby, expect to see City boss Enzo Maresca and his United counterpart Michael Carrick field teams teams that play in a totally different way to each other.
In short, City use a rigid structure with players precisely positioned, while United have a more fluid approach that has some positional guidelines but allows players the freedom to roam - here is how it works in detail.

#league #similar

Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the first Manchester derby of the season, with Enzo Maresca's league leaders looking to maintain a perfect start to the campaign against a United side sitting 11th on four points.
Both clubs arrive on the back of Champions League wins in midweek, City beating Porto 2-0 and United thrashing debutants Sabah 4-0. Michael Carrick, who took permanent charge of United since first winning this exact fixture as interim boss in January, has won nine of his 10 Premier League home matches in his second spell at the club and is looking to become the first United manager in 113 years to win both of his opening derbies in the league.
City, meanwhile, have won their first three league games this season and would set an outright record for most consecutive opening-day wins to a Premier League campaign with victory on Sunday. The match kicks off at 16:30 and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Kick-off: 16:30 BST

#premier #sports

The Manchester City squad is "buying into the idea" of new manager Enzo Maresca, says new captain Ruben Dias.
City spent a Premier League record £458m during the recent transfer window, with incomings including midfield trio Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
But there weren't only major changes to the playing squad. Maresca replaced the legendary Pep Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of last season after 10 years in charge.
Maresca was previously ******* istant to the Spaniard at Etihad Stadium, before spells at Leicester City and Chelsea.
Dias said Guardiola's departure was not an "easy moment for the club", while Maresca was the "perfect person for the job" as he "knew the house so well".

#dias #ruben

Led by Elliot Anderson, reloaded Man City midfield gets first chance to impress in Manchester derby originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Manchester City were one of the biggest spenders in the free-wheeling 2026 summer transfer window, as the Premier League side made a host of big-money moves ahead of the current season.
Always known as one of the most lavish clubs in the world with their transfer budget, they went especially big this summer as they looked to refurbish the squad in a period of transition after the departure of legendary manager Pep Guardiola.
The club mainly focused on the central midfield position, where multiple key players departed and an immediate refresh was needed to keep the club's levels up.
With the new players now slotting into their established roles and Enzo Maresca's system beginning to become evident, Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford is the perfect showcase for all the pieces to finally come together.

#manchester #transfer #players

Enzo Maresca faces his first major test since stepping into Pep Guardiola's shoes as City visit United in the Manchester derby on Sunday, while ******* nal aim to extend their flawless start at Sunderland.
Alongside last season's top two, only newly-promoted Hull remain unbeaten but their brilliant start faces an acid test against Xabi Alonso's free-scoring Chelsea.
At the other end of the table, Fulham have yet to register a point under Alvaro Arbeloa ahead of their tough trip to Liverpool.
AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the weekend's action:
Haaland hungry for more

#enzo

Ayyoub Bouaddi has handled everything thrown at him since joining Manchester City with remarkable composure - though his leisurely strolls may need rerouting after recent events.
The Moroccan midfielder has been able to traverse the city center's sidewalks over recent weeks, moving about unnoticed and unrecognized despite sealing an £85 million ($117 million) transfer from Lille. However, the teenager with a distinctive look can't remain incognito much longer after delivering an impressive performance in his maiden start for the Blues.
City shelled out a premium price for Bouaddi - exceeding what rival clubs were prepared to pay - because they were confident he could slot directly into a squad that lost Rodri and Bernardo Silva from their engine room during the summer window. The 18-year-old has been gradually integrated but entered the lineup for the UEFA Champions League fixture in Porto, replacing £116 million ($155.2 million) signing Elliot Anderson.
-Credit:NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images
While more experienced teammates around him struggled, Bouaddi provided a steadying influence from kickoff and moved effortlessly across the turf to give Enzo Maresca's squad command of proceedings. The manager was all smiles when questioned about the player postgame and joined a growing roster of those who've encountered Bouaddi in praising him as an exceptional prospect.

#manchester #lille

Manchester City kick off their 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a visit to Porto, having made a perfect start to their Premier League ***** le tilt.
City are embarking on their first European season without Pep Guardiola in 10 years, with Enzo Maresca at the helm for their fifth meeting with the Portuguese giants.
After back-to-back wins against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace City clung on for a nervy win against promoted side Coventry last time out and will be hoping for a more convincing performance on Tuesday night.
Porto have also made an unbeaten start to their domestic season and are back in Europe's top competition after a two-year absence.
Here's everything you need to know.

#back #made #premier

Manchester City completed the signing of Allan from Palmeiras during the lattee stages of the summer transfer window. The Brazilian winger is one of Manchester City's more intriguing signings for some time. Allan has taken a different route to earn his move to City. He rose through the ranks at Palmeiras before establishing himself on the right wing for Abel Ferreira's side. It was hoped that Allan would be in the City squad for last Saturday's match against Coventry City. But that wasn't to be. Instead, he could be in line to make his City debut against FC Porto tonight.
It was a surprise that Allan didn't make the bench for Manchester City's win over Coventry City last Saturday. However, it was reported by Enzo Krieger for CityXtra that Allan wasn't deemed fit enough to play at the Etihad. However, that situation has quickly changed. Allan has been included in Manchester City's travelling squad for tonight's match against FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão. Also, he did train with his teammates yesterday. At this stage, it would be a major surprise if Allan wasn't at least on the bench for the opening fixture of Manchester City's 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign.
There would seem to be little chance that Allan would start tonight against FC Porto. He hasn't been at Manchester City for long and the Brazilian winger also wasn't fit enough to make the bench against Coventry City. Stranger things have happened but it would be unlikely that Allan will start tonight.
However, there is a chance that Allan could come off the bench tonight. Perhaps being an impact substitute may be the best way for Maresca to introduce Allan to the fold. The Brazilian winger is a quick winger blessed with quality dribbling skills and the ability to work hard on both sides of the ball. Maybe that is how Allan will make his City debut and tonight may be the right setting for Allan to play a small role for Enzo Maresca's side depending on how tonight's match unfolds.
Allan was included in Manchester City's travelling sqaud for tonight's match against FC Porto. So there is a chance that one of the more intriguing signings that City have made could get on the pitch for the first time as a Manchester City player. Whether or not it occurs remains to be seen but Allan's City debut is edging ever closer.

#manchester #match #wasn 't

Manchester City begin their 2026-27 Champions League campaign at Porto on Tuesday, the first night of the new league phase and a landmark occasion for Enzo Maresca, who takes charge of a Champions League match for City for the first time since succeeding Pep Guardiola.
Both sides arrive with perfect domestic records, setting up the fifth competitive meeting between two clubs who have never previously finished on the losing side against each other. Porto return to the Champions League proper for the first time since 2023-24 having reclaimed the Primeira Liga ****** le last season, and they arrive full of confidence after seven straight wins in all competitions.
City, by contrast, head to Portugal having laboured to a narrow 1-0 win over Coventry City at the weekend, a game in which club-record £125m signing Enzo Fernandez was thrust into the starting XI earlier than planned following an injury to Nico O'Reilly. Maresca's side have won all three Premier League matches so far this season, though their away form in Europe has been notably shakier than their home record.
Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026Kick-off: 20:00 BSTVenue: Estádio do Dragão, PortoReferee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)Last meeting: Porto 0-0 Manchester City, 1 December 2020, Champions League (Group Stage)
Jan Bednarek serves a one-match ban having been sent off in last season's Europa League quarter-final defeat to Nottingham Forest, meaning Nehuen Perez is set to partner Jakub Kiwior in central defence. Victor Froholdt, who was knocked unconscious and hospitalised during last weekend's win over Moreirense, remains sidelined along with Vasco Sousa, Oskar Pietuszewski, Gabriel Mec, Zaidu Sanusi and Samu Aghehowa. Diogo Costa continues in goal behind a defence that has conceded only once in six matches this season.

#champions

Manchester City open their Champions League campaign at Porto on Tuesday, with Enzo Maresca taking charge of a European fixture for the club for the first time.
City arrive on the back of three straight Premier League wins, though a three-day turnaround before Sunday's Manchester derby is likely to shape his selection.
Porto have never beaten City in a competitive meeting, but their unbeaten start to the season and vociferous home support make the Estádio do Dragão an awkward opening ******* ignment.
Nico O'Reilly is a serious doubt for Tuesday's trip to Portugal after suffering a back injury in the warm-up before Saturday's win over Coventry City, forcing Enzo Fernandez into an unplanned full debut. Jeremy Doku remains sidelined with the calf problem that has kept him out of City's opening three Premier League fixtures.
Iliman Ndiaye was withdrawn in the 87th minute of his own debut with cramp, though the issue is not considered serious and he should be available for selection. With O'Reilly a doubt and Doku out, Maresca's options in wide areas are reduced to Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Antoine ******* yo.

#three #manchester #Porto

Nico O'Reilly was set to start in midfield for Manchester City for their match against Coventry City yesterday at the Etihad Stadium. However, the England international suffered a minor back injury in the warm-up. Due to the injury he sustained, Nico O'Reilly was withdrawn from yesterday's match. Manchester City's club record signing Enzo Fernandez replaced O'Reilly in the starting lineup. By the time that Enzo Fernandez was taken off in the 76th minute of City's 1-0 win over Coventry City, he had shown exactly what he will bring to Enzo Maresca's side and how he will fit in. All told, Enzo Fernandez played well after being thrust into his first start for Manchester City.
When Nico O'Reilly went down injured in the warm-up yesterday, Enzo Fernandez didn't have a lot of time to prepare for his Manchester City debut. The Argentinian midfielder had barely trained with his new team and had barely featured for Chelsea this season before being signed by Manchester City. He was thrust straight into the thick of it due to circumstances outside of his control. By the time that Enzo Fernandez was replaced by Ayyoub Bouaddi in the 76th minute he had put in an impressive performance in midfield.
Enzo Fernandez played on the right of Manchester City's midfield. He got himself into great positions in the final third and he was already ready and willing to receive possession all over the pitch. As per SofaScore, Enzo Fernandez completed 71/78 of his passes as his composure on the ball stood out. He was always offering himself to his teammates and helped City dominate possession throughout the first half.
As an attacking threat, Enzo Fernandez offered plenty for Enzo Maresca's side. His late runs into the Coventry City box were a constant threat. He saw two shots blocked in the first half and if it wasn't for some desperate Coventry City defending he would have gotten on the scoresheet as he could've gotten on the end of several very good crosses. It was Enzo Fernandez who played Antoine ****** yo in on the right to set up Erling Haaland's header in the 26th minute.
Enzo Fernandez put in a promising debut for Manchester City yesterday. He slotted into Manchester City's midfield well and showed more than enough while he was on the pitch.

#enzo #city #manchester

Man City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after squeezing past Coventry 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium, although Enzo Maresca's side were made to work considerably harder than they might have expected.
Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal, his third of the season, while Elliot Anderson produced another commanding midfield display. Coventry remained within touching distance throughout and came close to stealing a point late on.
City had already received a warning before taking the lead, with Gianluigi Donnarumma required to intervene as Coventry threatened.
A late change had brought Enzo Fernandez into the starting XI after Nico O'Reilly suffered an injury during the warm up, and Fernandez quickly settled into proceedings.
His pass released Antoine ****** yo, whose delivery was met by Haaland. The Norwegian produced a powerful header to put Man City ahead and seemingly establish the platform for a more comfortable afternoon.

#city #haaland #late #premier

New-look Manchester City overcame a spirited challenge from Coventry on Saturday courtesy of an Erling Haaland goal to stay perfect in the Premier League, as blunt Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.
Enzo Maresca is now the man in the Etihad hotseat after the emotional departure of long-serving Pep Guardiola, while there has been significant churn among the playing staff.
One of the new arrivals, Enzo Fernandez, played a major part in City's first-half goal, feeding Antoine ******* yo, who crossed for Haaland to head home his third of the season.
Table-topping City have won all three of their Premier League matches ahead of next week's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Former Chelsea boss Maresca said teams needed "ugly moments" as well as free-flowing football after the stodgy win, in which newly promoted Coventry squandered chances.

#coventry #haaland #saturday

Manchester City have won 1-0 today against stubborn Coventry City side at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon. A Erling Haaland header in the 26th minute was just enough for City make it three wins from three matches to start the new Premier League season.
When the starting lineups were announced, Enzo Maresca had made only one change to the starting lineup which dispatched Crystal Palace 4-1 last weekend. Iliman Ndiaye replaced Phil Foden in the starting lineup as the Senegalese international made his Premier League debut from the start today. Enzo Fernandez was on the bench for today's game. However, that changed 15 minutes before kickoff. Nico O'Reilly suffered an injury in the warm up and Enzo Fernandez replaced him in Manchester City's starting lineup.
Manchester City began the game dominating possession, however it was Coventry City who should have taken the lead inside the opening eight minutes. First, Abdukodir Khusanov played a ball back to Gianluigi Donnarumma on his own goal line. The Italian had a poor first touch which almost trickled over the goal line to give Frank Lampard's side the lead in the 6th minute.
However, two minutes later, Coventry City should have taken the lead. Antoine ****** yo played a dangerous ball from the right into midfield which Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi intercepted. Awoniyi surged clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat. But he fired his shot wide of the post with Gianluigi Donnarumma rushing out to save his team's blushes. Taiwo Awoniyi's chance was a clear warning shot to Enzo Maresca's side that today's match wouldn't be a walk in the park.
Manchester City's first shot on target would arrive in the 16th minute. Elliot Anderson was fouled in midfield and he quickly took the free kick and set free Rayan Cherki. Cherki surged into ****** e and played in Erling Haaland with a quality through ball. Haaland fired in a powerful low drive from inside the Coventry penalty area across goal which Coventry City keeper Carl Rushworth got down well to save.

#city #haaland #first #side

It was full steam ahead at the CFA as City prepare to host Coventry on Saturday afternon.
New signings Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández trained ahead of our game against the Premier League's other Sky Blues with City looking to extend our 100% winning start.
TICKETS: CITY V COVENTRY
Enzo Maresca revealed only Jeremy Doku is unavailable with Matheus Nunes returning to training on Friday.
Here are the best pictures from today's session....

#coventry #enzo #premier #blues

Xabi Alonso says it is time for Chelsea to "move forward" following the departure of Enzo Fernandez and failure to sign Lamine Camara as his replacement.
The drawn-out saga surrounding the Argentine midfielder's future ended on Transfer Deadline Day when he reunited with Enzo Maresca at Manchester City.
The Blues sold the 25-year-old for £125 million, equalling the British transfer record set by Liverpool last year when they signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with ****** nal, Alonso admitted that Chelsea allowed Fernandez to leave the club because it was "best for the team".
"We take all the decisions together," the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference. "We work together with big ones, small ones. We knew ultimately the goal is to have the best for the team. We want to build a good spirit, a good team."

#alonso #Chelsea #ones

Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland have already been confirmed as two of the Manchester City captains for the 2026-27 season. All that was unknown was who would be joining them in City's captaincy group. Enzo Maresca has revealed who will be joining Haaland and Dias in City's captaincy group. On first glance, Maresca has made two obvious and quality choices when naming the other two players who will complete Manchester City's captaincy quartet.
Enzo Maresca faced the media earlier today ahead of Manchester City's upcoming Premier League fixture against Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium. The Manchester City manager was asked what new signing Enzo Fernandez would bring to Maresca's squad and if the Argentinian midfielder would be in Manchester City's captaincy group for the upcoming season. While answering what Fernandez adds to City's squad, Maresca also revealed who Manchester City's four captains would be. He said: "I know Enzo quite well, I know what he can bring. He's a winner, he has a winning mentality, World Cup, Club World Cup. The main thing is that he's a winner." Captain? "No, the captain is Ruben, Erling, Marc Guehi and Gigi Donnarumma."
Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland were obvious choices to be two of Manchester City's captains for this season. They were in City's leadership group last season and were two clear stand-out candidates to return to their posts under Enzo Maresca. The question was who would join them. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guehi are the players who claimed that ***** le.
Both of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guehi are quality leaders. Marc Guehi was Crystal Palace's captain before he joined City. Guehi leads by example in a quiet and unassuming manner and his leadership style do combine well with Haaland and Dias. Gianluigi Donnarumma is a pillar at the back for City. He is a vociferous character and he does set the tone in goal. It is often Donnarumma who celebrates his teammates defensive contributions and his is key pillar of this City side.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marc Guehi, Erling Haaland, and Ruben Dias will form Manchester City's captaincy group for the 2026-27 season. Each player brings their own strengths to the role and they will be hoping to lead Manchester City to success this season.

#maresca

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
The Premier League have announced their nominees for the Manager of the Month and Player of the Month awards for August, with ****** nal receiving nominations in both categories.
Mikel Arteta has been nominated for Manager of the Month, having led ****** nal to two wins and a goal difference of +4 in the Gunners' opening two games of the new campaign.
No other manager can better that, but Enzo Maresca can match it with Manchester City. Though City have conceded twice more than ****** nal, they've also scored twice more.
It's not hard to guess the other two nominees, as they're the managers of the other two clubs to win two from two – Hull City's Sergej Jakirovic and Chelsea's Xabi Alonso. Voting is open here until Monday, September 7th at 12:00 BST.

#nominees

Manchester City announced the signing of Allan from Palmeiras yesterday. The Brazilian winger is set to provide Enzo Maresca with another option to utilize on the right wing. Despite City signing Allan, they did need to sign one more player to bolster their attack. In the end, City have achieved that goal. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders have now officially confirmed the signing of Senegalese international Iliman Ndiaye from Everton. Ndiaye is an exciting signing for City and he will offer Enzo Maresca flexibility and quality to unleash in the final third.
Ahead of the transfer window closing at 23:00, Manchester City have officially announced the signing of Iliman Ndiaye. Ndiaye has signed a five-year contract with City, which will run until the summer of 2031. By signing Iliman Ndiaye, Enzo Maresca will have a player at his disposal whose strengths, especially his dribbling and ability to beat a man in one-on-one situations, look ideally suited to playing a prominent role in his squad.
Sam Lee and Jessica Hopkins have reported for The Athletic that Manchester City hage paid Everton £60 million plus £5 million in add-ons to sign Ndiaye.
Speaking with mancity.com after signing for Manchester City, Iliman Ndiaye revealed that once he knew of City's interest in signing him, he had his heart set of joining Enzo Maresca's side. He explained: "It's easy to make the decision about whether you want to be at Manchester City or not."
"You can see the recent history; you want to be part of that project. They talked to me about where we could go, what we could achieve with me in the team, and I was interested from the beginning."

#city #ndiaye #signing

Chelsea are approaching the final weeks of the transfer window with an unresolved question at their centre. Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move to Manchester City throughout August, and the commercial logic of selling is not difficult to construct. What is considerably more difficult is justifying strengthening a direct rival at a moment when that rival's most glaring weakness is precisely the position Fernandez occupies.
Fernandez cost Chelsea €120 million in January 2023. He was bought to be the deep-lying conductor of a new-look midfield – the replacement for Jorginho, the organiser around whom creativity would flow. That vision has never been fully realised at Stamford Bridge, and the reasons why are well-documented.
Every manager Chelsea (7.04) has appointed since his arrival has struggled to make a Fernandez-Caicedo double pivot function out of possession. Fernandez is not physically built to cover large central ***** es. His defensive awareness is sharp enough for international soccer, where Lionel Scaloni's Argentina have found ways to manage around his limitations, but has never been sharp enough at club level to survive without significant structural support.
Enzo Maresca's solution last season was to move Fernandez into the left pocket, push a fullback deeper into the midfield beside Caicedo and slow Chelsea's possession game to keep the team compact. It improved the collective structure and allowed Fernandez to play his best soccer at Chelsea, scoring 15 goals across all competitions. But it came at a notable cost, most visibly, the significant dip in Cole Palmer's form.
Xabi Alonso is not going to replicate that approach. His 3-4-2-1 system places Morgan Rogers and Palmer as dual attacking midfielders behind the striker. That is precisely where Fernandez would be best utilised. But Chelsea paid £117 million for Rogers this transfer window to fill that exact role. The positional arithmetic does not work in Fernandez's favour.

#caicedo #rogers #window #difficult

Enzo Fernandez has said he has joined a club built for success after signing for Manchester City in a £125m deal.
Fernandez completed his move from Chelsea on deadline day, in a transfer that equals the British transfer record fee.
The 25-year-old reunites with Enzo Maresca at the Etihad, having worked with the Italian at Chelsea. Together, the duo won theEuropa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, with Fernandez now setting his sights on more silverware. At international level, Fernandez won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and 2024 Copa America.
The midfielder hailed City as 'the most successful club in England in recent times' and said it is a club that is set up to win trophies.
"Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times," Fernandez toldmancity.com.

#club #manchester #Chelsea #successful

Even with the Premier League's attempts to promote economic restraint and competitive balance, the ******* ans of English men's pro soccer are still spending at record levels.
English clubs spent a record $4.7 billion during the now-concluded summer transfer window, up 11% from the prior milestone set last year and more than triple the level from just five years ago. Manchester City also became the first club to surpass $600 million in a single transfer window, spending $618 million, including $169 million for Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez from rival club Chelsea.
That outlay happened despite the club entering a transition period in its first season without iconic coach Pep Guardiola. Man City, however, has picked right back up under new coach Enzo Maresca, winning its first two matches in the just-started 2026–27 Premier League season.
Premier League spending was predictably top-heavy, with Man City and fellow behemoths Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and defending league champion ******* nal combining for $2.75 billion of the $4.7 billion in total spending. Each of those clubs, however, also sold players, bringing in revenue to help counter the transfer spending outflow.
Eleven of the 20 Premier League clubs, meanwhile, set individual records in their summer transfer spending this year.

#spending #league #billion #club

Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for an initial £61m, having attracted interest from clubs across Europe including ******* nal.
After impressing in the Champions League with Shakhtar in the first half of 2022-23, Mudryk needed time to adapt to a new country and league.
He had to wait until October 2023 for his first Chelsea goal, and he ended his first full campaign at Stamford Bridge with seven goals and four ******* ists.
By the start of 2024-25, Graham Potter - who signed Mudryk - had been succeeded first by Frank Lampard, then Mauricio Pochettino and finally Enzo Maresca.
Mudryk struggled for Premier League starts in the first months of Maresca's tenure, but he was making an impact in the Conference League when he underwent an out-of-competition test on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024.

#first #mykhailo #donetsk #Europe

Premier League clubs smashed their spending record for a single transfer window for the second straight season as Manchester City's signing of Enzo Fernandez took the total outlay close to £3.5 billion ($4.7 billion).
A frantic final two days of the window, which closed at 2200 GMT on Tuesday, pushed spending in the summer window significantly beyond last season's record of £3.14 billion.
More than half of the clubs in the English top flight broke their transfer records, with multiple deals topping £100 million.
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez, 25, signed for Enzo Maresca's City late Tuesday for £125 million, matching the British record fee Liverpool paid 12 months ago for forward Alexander Isak.
Argentina's Fernandez will be part of a new-look City midfield alongside England's Elliot Anderson, who arrived from Nottingham Forest shortly after the World Cup for £116 million.

#record #million #city

Under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez helped the club win the 2025 Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup later that summer but noises emerged at the start of this year about him wanting to leave.
It began once Maresca left Stamford Bridge in January and two months later, following Chelsea's Champions League exit, Fernandez said he did not know whether he would be at the club next season.
His first choice was to join Real Madrid but the La Liga giants never came in with an offer, feeling the Premier League midfielder was overpriced.
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso spoke to Fernandez this summer in an attempt to try and change his mind and for him to stay, but the player's heart was set on leaving.
Having been jeered by his own supporters during the home pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad, there was only one direction of travel thereafter and that exit was seemingly rubberstamped after being left out of the wins over Luton and Brighton.

#club

As you get set to potentially shuffle your FPL squad ahead of Matchweek Three of the 2026/27 Premier League season, we thought it'd be worth letting you know the prices of our newest signings.
Enzo Fernández and Iliman Ndiaye arrived on deadline day and followed in the footsteps of Elliot Anderson, Gerónimo Rulli, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Allan Elias in linking up with Enzo Maresca's first team squad.
In terms of their prices ahead of the weekend, of our newest stars Fernández is £6.9m while Ndiaye is £6.0m.
As for the other new recruits this season – Anderson is £6.4m, Rulli is £5.0m, Bouaddi is £5.5m and Allan is £6.0m.
In FPL, you start with a budget of £100 million to select a squad of 15 players: two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders, and three forwards. You can only pick three players per club – meaning only three of your favourite Blues in your selection.

#three #enzo #rulli #ahead

The transfer window has closed, and Wednesday's front pages sum up everything that happened.
Barça bring the striker saga to an end by signing Gabriel Jesus for three seasons, while on the same day Marc Casadó leaves on loan to Deportivo.
At Atlético, Julián Álvarez turns down ***** nal and stays with the Rojiblancos after training as normal, with a chance of playing on Saturday at San Mamés. The same club also seals the arrival of Jonathan David as backup No. 9.
LaLiga has surpassed €733 million in transfer spending, €25 million more than last season, and Real Madrid have confirmed the €125 million signing of Diomande as the biggest Spanish purchase outside the Premier League. Betis secure Ceballos, available on a free after leaving Madrid, while Giménez and Casadó both join Deportivo on loan.
Outside Spain, Manchester City have matched the British record by paying €125 million for Enzo Fernández, who reunites with Maresca after leaving a Chelsea side that is already close to €500 million in sales.

#million #madrid #outside #signing

€1 billion in 18 months: Enzo Fernandez deal means Enzo Maresca has no excuses in first Man City season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No amount of transfer outlay can make Enzo Maresca's Manchester City task straightforward. Following greats is hard, even for very talented coaches.
Some of the pre-season conversation saw the likes of Unai Emery and David Moyes mentioned alongside Maresca. They succeeded ******* ne Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson at ******* nal and Manchester United respectively and never really had a chance. How on earth can Maresca hope to follow Pep Guardiola successfully?
Emery and Moyes will be mentioned again after any moments of turbulence at the Etihad Stadium this season. Their cautionary tales were cited after ******* nal swept past City 3-0 in the Community Shield. There was a gulf, an unbridgeable chasm.
Of course, part of that was overreaction after a glorified friendly. The narrative of ******* nal being a stable and ******* ured force while half of the Premier League is in flux also appeals to purists' instincts. Other teams are spending hundreds of millions of pounds and sacking managers, just to try to catch up with a team that charted a steady course, trusted the process and finally won the league.

#city #moyes

Manchester City's desperation to bring in midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea not only ends the summer's longest running transfer saga but highlights the club's determination to get the deal done for manager Enzo Maresca's top target.
City have paid a joint-British record £125m deal for the Argentina international to break their club record transfer fee for the second time this summer following the £116m arrival of Elliot Anderson.
City had to overcome numerous obstacles to finalise a difficult deal during the 79-day transfer window, from being set deadlines to complete the deal and the backdrop of former Chelsea boss Maresca's acrimonious appointment as their manager.
But shelling out a joint-British record fee showcased City's perseverance to acquire their man and those upstairs at Etihad Stadium have shown unequivocal faith to both player and manager.
City have started the season with back-to-back Premier League wins and Fernandez's arrival means he becomes the first player in football history to move for more than £100m twice after going to Chelsea from Benfica for £107m in 2023.

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Manchester City completed its $440-million midfield rebuild on Tuesday by signing Argentina international Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in a deal worth 125 million pounds ($169 million), a fee that ties the British transfer record.
Fernandez, who was sent off against Spain in the World Cup final in July, becomes the third central midfielder to join City for more than $100 million in this summer transfer window, with 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi coming from Lille in a $117 million deal and England international Elliot Anderson moving for $155 million.
"I could not be happier to be here," Fernandez said, "and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success."
Also Tuesday, City bought Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for an initial 60 million pounds ($81 million) in a move that provides competition for Antoine ******* yo, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and fellow new signing Allan — the other wide attackers in recently hired manager Enzo Maresca's squad.
Jack Grealish, who joined City for $139 million in 2021, was another one but he has been loaned to Everton for the second straight season.

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