Maresca wants ‘one or two more captains’ for Man City in final push for signings in transfer window

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca wants the club to spend the final few days of the summer transfer window finding “one or two more captains” to add to the squad for its push for trophies this season.

City’s summer clearout has seen lots of experienced players leave the club, including John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Nathan Ake.

The two major signings have been young midfielders in 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi and 23-year-old Elliot Anderson, and City is aiming to bring more players in before the deadline late Tuesday.

Maresca wants whoever is signed to immediately be part of the leadership group in City’s increasingly young squad.

“We have experienced players for sure. We have leaders,” Maresca said at a news conference Thursday ahead of a Premier League match at Crystal Palace on Friday. “Now we need to wait four or five more days to see if we can add one or two more captains to Ruben (Dias) and Erling (Haaland) who are the captains.”

Reports in the British media say City retains an interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who Maresca appointed as vice captain during their time together at the London club.

Maresca insisted City was not close to making further signings at this stage.

“No, no, no,” he said. “The one that arrived is Ayyoub (on Wednesday) and then we will see in the next four or five days.”

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