According to the Manchester Evening News, Simon Bajkowski, Manchester City's chief reporter, answered fan questions about Maresca's coaching staff, Floyd Samba, and alternatives to Haaland.

Following their Manchester Derby victory, Manchester City secured an emphatic League Cup win, with Floyd Samba scoring twice. So far this season, Manchester City remains unbeaten across all competitions. Just over a month ago, the season seemed to be over after the Community Shield defeat. There are still many tough battles ahead, and Manchester City isn't excessively optimistic, but for Maresca it was the best possible start.

One fan asked: How does Maresca's coaching staff differ from Guardiola's team? Were these changes discussed within the club, and has the team atmosphere changed?

Bajkowski replied: The way coaching staffs interact is interesting, and each team is different. For example, last season Guardiola was happy to have Pep Lijnders lead many training sessions, and Lijnders pushed the players particularly hard—more intensely than anyone on Maresca's staff. However, Maresca is also considered very energetic in conveying his philosophy to the players. Compared to Guardiola, Maresca is more hands-on, with other coaches playing more supporting roles. Maresca has also assigned more than one coach to focus on young players and ensure their continuous development, with Danny Walker and Willy Caballero particularly involved in this work.

Donnarumma also appears happy working with goalkeeper coach Michel De Bernardin. This is not to diminish his predecessor, Xavi Mancisidor, who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeeper coaches in the business. De Bernardin has arranged targeted training for Donnarumma to ensure his footwork is precise. With Italian countrymen on the coaching staff, it's also easier for Manchester City's goalkeeper to communicate. The atmosphere has naturally changed with the personnel changes, but standards remain the same.

One fan asked: Can Samba become an important option for the first team next year, train with the senior squad, and start in cup games like Foden? He currently sits behind Enzo and Anderson; does the club have such a plan?

Bajkowski explained that Samba's debut against Norwich was excellent. However, Samba won't turn 18 until next January. Although he's one of the most exciting players in his age group, his situation differs from Foden's. Bajkowski expects Samba to remain in the first-team squad this season, and based on his Norwich performance, he should get more playing time. The club will then decide how to manage him next season: he could continue playing under Maresca, or it might be deemed appropriate to loan him out for more consistent playing time.

Divine Mukasa, currently on loan at West Ham United, is considered ahead of Samba, and Benfica also has Claudio Echeverri. Nowadays, a loan spell doesn't mean the end of first-team chances. Samba's advantage is that he's currently in the squad, and if he continues to take his opportunities, he'll get increasing playing time while other players are out on loan.

One fan asked: After selling Alvarez and failing to sign a replacement striker, if Haaland gets injured, won't Manchester City's attack be too thin to compete for four trophies? Where else can the team get goals besides Haaland?

Bajkowski believes that without Haaland, the team's attack appears thin, partly because Semenyo, who was considered Haaland's alternative, is currently getting as much playing time as Haaland. If Foden hadn't been suspended, Maresca would have wanted to play him as a false nine against Norwich, but Samba isn't yet planned for such important matches in that role. Foden, Cherki, and Ndiaye have all been mentioned as potential false nines. Buodia's withdrawn approach against Norwich also suggests Maresca is experimenting with different player combinations and formations.

Bajkowski said this will be one of the season's key issues. Currently, Manchester City appears understaffed in attack, and many don't believe Maresca's team can win major trophies. But every match changes perception, and Manchester City might find a way to deploy Haaland as needed and also find other goalscorers if necessary.

Übersetzt von KI.

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