Enzo Fernandez is relishing the chance to work under Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, describing the former Chelsea boss as a "top manager". 

Fernandez completed his record-equalling £125m move to the Etihad Stadium on deadline day, ending a summer of uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge. 

The 25-year-old spent three years at Chelsea, joining after impressing in Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning campaign, and he went on to become a key player for the Blues. 

Since he joined the Blues, he has played the most games (170), scored the second-most goals (31) and registered the second-most assists (29) for Chelsea. 

While Maresca was in charge, only Cole Palmer (35) registered more goal involvements than Fernandez (34 – 15 goals, 19 assists) in all competitions, while the midfielder also lifted the Conference League and Club World Cup under the Italian's guidance. 

And after being reunited with Maresca at City, Fernandez spoke glowingly of the Italian, and how he intends to repay the faith shown in him by his former boss, who pushed for the move. 

"He is a top manager, honestly," Fernandez said of Maresca. "I had him at my previous club. They were incredible moments. I learned so much with him.

"He's very similar to Latin people, very passionate. So, for me, it's a pleasure to work with him. I'm also grateful because he was very important in bringing me here.

"So it's a huge pleasure for me to work alongside him and enjoy it. To be honest, we were both very eager for it to happen, because it wasn't easy for me to be here.

"But I know he also made a big effort, speaking to the club, and I'm grateful that he did. It was a long few days, but in the end I'm here, and I'm very happy to be joining this club."

Fernandez could make his debut for City this weekend when they welcome Coventry City to the Etihad Stadium, with the Sky Blues yet to win on their Premier League return.

After losing to champions Arsenal on the opening day, Coventry were beaten by fellow newly promoted side Hull City, with Liam Millar netting an 82nd-minute winner. 

Coventry have now lost both of their Premier League games this season, with this the first time since April 2023 that Lampard has lost consecutive league matches without seeing his side score.

The Sky Blues had their chances, too. They finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.3 from their 11 shots compared to Hull's tally of 0.7 from their six attempts. 

Lampard conceded his team had some lessons to learn about the Premier League, adding that an improvement in mentality was needed to adapt to the top flight. 

"For a game, we controlled a lot of the possession. We were too slow with it. Against a back five and a team who want to slow you down," Lampard told BBC Sport. 

"We created more problems than Manchester United did, but it wasn't like us. Normally we're more aggressive. There are some serious lessons to learn.

"[Missing] Quality as well. You have to work towards quality. It was too much slow play from us. It's hard against a back five. When you cross they have players to deal with it.

"The Premier League brings it with a feeling around it, it's a step up. It's a mental side for the players – I want them to get over it. They have to get to grips with it. We have to get there quickly."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

After opening his account for the 2026-27 campaign against Crystal Palace last time out, Haaland will be hoping to continue that momentum against the Sky Blues.

Haaland has scored 19 goals in 20 Premier League appearances against newly promoted sides – this will be his first game against Coventry, with the Norwegian scoring against 23 of the 24 teams he has faced so far, failing only versus Sunderland.

Coventry City – Taiwo Awoniyi

Despite not hitting the back of the net for his new team in the Premier League, Awoniyi has settled in well at Coventry and looked to be their biggest threat against Hull. 

Awoniyi finished with team-high totals for shots (four), touches in the opposition box (seven) and chances created (two), but he will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet this time around. 

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

This is the first meeting in any competition between City and Coventry since March 2002 in the second tier, won 4-2 at Maine Road by the Citizens under Kevin Keegan.

The last season City and Coventry met in the Premier League was 2000-01, when both sides were relegated. The Citizens are winless in their last eight top-flight games against the Sky Blues (D4 L4) since doing the double in 1992-93.

However, this is a different City side Coventry are facing. They are unbeaten in their last 30 Premier League games against newly promoted sides (W27 D3) since losing 2-1 to Leeds United in April 2021. Enzo Maresca's most recent game against a promoted club was a 3-1 defeat to Leeds in December 2025 with Chelsea.

Coventry, meanwhile, have lost 3-0 against Arsenal and 1-0 against Hull so far this season. On just four occasions have they lost each of their first three at the start of a league campaign – 1968-69 in the top-flight, and 1919-20, 1949-50 and 2011-12 in the second tier. 

Sky Blues boss Lampard has won just four of his last 32 Premier League matches (D8 L20), including just one of his last 19 in the competition (D4 L14), a 3-1 win at Bournemouth as Chelsea caretaker manager in May 2023.

And Lampard will have to be aware of Cherki. He has recorded four goal contributions across his opening two Premier League matches this season (two goals, two assists). Overall in the competition, the Frenchman has now recorded 15 across his 20 starts (five goals, 10 assists).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester City – 82.4%

Draw – 10.8%

Coventry City – 6.8%