TA points out that Maresca will personally select Manchester City's captain for next season, and intends to bring a homegrown English player into the team's core leadership.

Portuguese player Bernardo Silva joined Real Madrid as a free agent this summer, leaving the captaincy vacant, and Maresca will finalize his successor.

During Pep Guardiola's decade-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium, the captain was mostly chosen by player vote; however, last summer he personally appointed a four-person leadership group, with Bernardo as captain and Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, and Rodri as vice-captains.

Ruben Dias is the popular candidate for the new captain, though sources close to the situation reveal that the final decision has not yet been made.

If Spanish midfielder Rodri successfully transfers to Barcelona this summer, Maresca will need to select additional personnel to fill his position in the leadership group.

Last Friday, Barcelona's offer of approximately £38 million plus add-ons was rejected by Manchester City. The 30-year-old midfielder prefers a move to Camp Nou over Real Madrid, who are also interested in signing him.

Manchester City had already anticipated Rodri's likely departure this summer, as the player stated at the beginning of last season that he had no intention of renewing his contract with the club.

Once Rodri leaves, Maresca will need to promote at least two players to complete the four-person leadership group.

The Italian coach hopes to include a homegrown player from the club's academy in the leadership, and Phil Foden and Marc Guehi are suitable candidates.

Foden stated last week that he should be involved in discussions regarding the captaincy. The 26-year-old is one of only six active players remaining in the squad who experienced the 2022-23 treble-winning campaign.

"I've been at the club for many years and I'm one of the longest-serving players," said the Manchester City academy product. "This season I deserve to be one of the leaders in the team or part of the captaincy group."

Guehi served as Crystal Palace captain for a year and a half before his transfer to Manchester City in January and has also worn the England captain's armband.

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