Manchester City Boss Enzo Maresca has defended the club’s £450m summer spending spree, insisting the overhaul was necessary if they are to challenge. arsenal for the Premier League title
City completed a major rebuild in the transfer window, with deadline day arrivals Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye making their debuts in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Coventry.
The pair were the latest additions to a squad that has undergone significant changes, with City spending more than £450m in the summer.
Maresca believes Arsenal’s depth shows why City needed to strengthen their own squad if they are to seriously compete at the top of the table.
“If you look at it from the Community Shield, Arsenal play two more games (against Coventry and Aston Villa) and have five changes in each game,” said Maresca.
“Two World Cup winners, (Mikel) Merino and (Martin) Zubimendi, two English players, (Eberechi) Eze and (Noni) Madueke, and the other one I don’t remember, I think it was (Piero) Hincapie.
“At the end of the day, if you want to be there you need options. Arsenal have options. We have options. More teams have options, so it’s not just us. I’m very happy with the options we have, that’s an important thing for us if you want to compete.”
Maresca praises Anderson’s attitude
Maresca has been particularly impressed by Anderson’s approach since joining the club, noting his willingness to learn as well as his performances on the pitch.
“Very impressed, but not just today,” said Maresca.
“He was really good against Palace. He was also really good against Bournemouth after only being with us for a week when we switched him for cramping.
“But the best thing about Elliot is day-to-day. He asks us how he can learn, we sit down with him on individual video (analysis) and he wants to get better and that’s the best thing for any player.”
City have won all three Premier League games under Maresca so far and are currently among the top challengers at the top of the table.
