With Guéhi in midfield, Maresca makes transfer needs clear in Man City win
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- Maresca played Marc Guéhi in midfield after central midfielders Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Bernardo Silva all departed this week, leaving City without a recognized starter in that position
- Manchester City trailed Bournemouth before Rayan Cherki came off the bench to assist Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol, with Gvardiol's 91st-minute winner — confirmed by VAR — sealing a 2-1 comeback
- City agreed a €100 million deal with Lille for 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, described as having had a "fantastic World Cup with Morocco" but carrying fewer than 100 senior club appearances and no Premier League experience
- Maresca admitted "I don't have an ideal 11 players" and said Guéhi in midfield was simply "a solution," while Omar Marmoush, Nico González, and Jack Grealish — all on the bench Sunday — could leave before the deadline
- Bournemouth manager Marco Rose, another of the league's new bosses after replacing Andoni Iraola, said his side lost "on details" after suffering their first league defeat since January
- City have had an initial inquiry for Adam Wharton knocked back and remain interested in Enzo Fernández, while Palmeiras winger Allan is likely to arrive as a replacement for Savinho
Why it matters: Manchester City have begun the post-Guardiola era with a midfield so depleted that Maresca had to use a center back there on opening day, making the remaining days before the Sept. 1 deadline decisive for whether the club can mount a credible title challenge or settle into a transitional season focused on Champions League qualification.
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