Enzo Maresca will wait until the end of the transfer window to finalise his Manchester City leadership group, citing uncertainty over the squad’s final make‑up. Last season’s captain Bernardo Silva has already left, and the club is weighing a new offer for Rodri from Barcelona, which would leave only Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland from the previous leadership group. Maresca did not mention Rodri when saying he could not yet name his captains. "At the moment it is Rúben and Erling, and I want to wait until the end of the transfer window and pick two more," he said.

He has cast doubt on Haaland serving as captain, noting the striker’s preference to call the skipper in goal celebrations. For now, that leaves Dias in pole position to take the armband, having been part of the leadership group since 2021. "It’s not because I give them more freedom or advantage. It’s the opposite; the leaders have to give more than the others," Maresca added.

If Rodri leaves, City could look again at Enzo Fernández. Maresca also has in‑house options such as Marc Guéhi, Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden, and has confirmed that teenage winger Ryan Mc Aidoo will stay for the season, citing him as one of the real surprises and stressing the importance of learning from senior teammates.