Enzo Maresca rotates Manchester City midfield personnel in recent league fixtures
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 11:04 AM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has utilized flexible midfield configurations during recent Premier League matches against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. Maresca opted for a box midfield structure against Bournemouth, featuring Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson at the base. Against Crystal Palace, the team transitioned to a diamond shape with Anderson anchoring the center. The rotation strategy incorporates players such as Enzo Fernandez, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Nico O'Reilly in various roles. Mateo Kovacic, previously viewed as a first-choice holding midfielder, has seen his role change as part of these adjustments. Maresca continues to experiment with the positioning of Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki in the attacking midfield spots to address current squad needs.
- •Manchester City has utilized both box and diamond midfield formations under Enzo Maresca.
- •Elliot Anderson has started as the primary holding midfielder in recent league fixtures.
- •Ayyoub Bouaddi serves as a young backup for the holding midfield role.
- •Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have shared time in the number 10 position.
- •Mateo Kovacic has moved down the order after appearing as a starter in pre-season.
- 11:04 AMYahoo Sports — How will Maresca use his new midfielders?
"Enzo Fernandez, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Elliot Anderson are all players comfortable across several positions in Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca's system. The main difference between the two shapes is that the former has two natural holding midfielders and the second a single holding midfielder. Against Bournemouth, Marc Guehi paired Anderson at the base of midfield.
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