Maresca prioritises Rodri retention as City prepare tactical contingencies
With one year remaining on his contract and the club undergoing significant squad restructuring, Maresca is relying on positional versatility to maintain his 3-2-2-3 system.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has affirmed his commitment to retaining Rodri following the midfielder’s scheduled back surgery, dismissing reports that Real Madrid are preparing to sign the player. Rodri, who recently captained Spain to World Cup victory and was awarded the Golden Ball, has one year remaining on his contract. Maresca stated that the player requires rest and recovery before returning to the squad, indicating that the club’s immediate strategy is to keep one of the world’s premier midfielders rather than cashing in.
The situation arises as Maresca navigates a major transition following the departure of four starters from the 2022-23 Treble-winning squad: Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones. To address these structural changes, City have signed £116m midfielder Elliot Anderson and 17-year-old Jeremy Monga, while monitoring 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. These acquisitions are viewed as essential components for maintaining the tactical integrity of Maresca’s preferred 3-2-2-3 system.
Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola after a decade at the helm, has drawn comparisons between his tactical approach and chess, emphasising positional play and strategic counter-moves. The manager’s game model relies on players moving between predefined positions to create numerical advantages. Rodri’s ability to rotate between holding midfield, defence, and attack was evident during Spain’s World Cup campaign, where he dropped into the backline or pushed forward to exploit space.
Elliot Anderson offers significant positional versatility within this framework. The 23-year-old has experience across multiple midfield and attacking roles, including defensive midfield and central midfield. Anderson’s history of dropping into defence to form a back five out of possession makes him a suitable partner for Rodri, allowing the Spanish international to focus on attacking qualities while maintaining team balance.
Ayyoub Bouaddi is also being monitored for his defensive versatility. The Lille midfielder has played in holding midfield, right-back, and centre-back roles, offering a profile similar to former City player John Stones. Maresca’s previous tenure at Chelsea saw him utilise players like Moises Caicedo in unconventional positions, such as right-back, to facilitate his 3-2-2-3 shape.
While Rodri’s understanding of positioning and risk is considered invaluable, Maresca has demonstrated an ability to adapt systems to available personnel. The manager hopes to field a greater number of versatile players than his predecessor, providing more options to construct a working formula. Whether Rodri remains or departs, the club’s focus remains on building a squad capable of executing a possession-heavy, positionally fluid style of play.
