An additional 7,000 seats were fitted in. Mumbai: The Etihad Stadium has had some work done over the off-season. The North Stand in particular received much attention. And once the work was complete, the section had been rebranded the ‘Pep Guardiola Stand.’
A number of key players have moved on, starting with the star-midfielder Rodri, who captained Spain to the World Cup title last month. Anderson did show he is capable of putting in those performances after impressing with England during the World Cup. Having ended last season as City’s premier striker, capable of scoring goals from all angles, he returns for the new season as a cult hero. His exploits at the World Cup with Norway, which saw him score seven goals and take his team to a first quarterfinal, earned him favour among football fans. It also saw Haaland turn into an internet sensation and a meme favourite.
Under the 55-year-old Spaniard’s charge, City won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Champions League in 2022-23, the UEFA Super Cup in 2023 and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. So far, City have managed to secure the services of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who came in for a club-record £116 million. That’s a big price tag for a 23-year-old who will be expected to fill Rodri’s role.
Also on the radar is Argentina’s wantaway Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, but there is a chance that City will need to break the bank once again. The West London club has reportedly set an asking price of £120 million for the midfielder, if he is to reunite with Maresca.
The City midfield has also been bolstered by the arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old Moroccan who dictated play for his team against Brazil at the World Cup. Maresca also guided City’s U-23 team to the Premier League’s developmental league title in 2020-21, before helping Leicester City win the EPL Championship in 2023-24. This will be the first time since the 1985-86 season in which England’s top-tier of football does not have a team managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola – winners of 26 of the Premier League’s 34 seasons.
