According to reports from Manchester Evening News, the club's primary correspondent Simon Bajkowski answered fan questions about manager Maresca's coaching staff, Floyd Samba, and alternatives beyond Erling Haaland.

Following their victory in the Manchester Derby, Manchester City U21 impressively won the League Cup, with Floyd Samba scoring twice. This season, Manchester City U21 remains unbeaten across all competitions. About a month ago, after losing the Community Shield, the season seemed finished with many difficult battles ahead. Manchester City U21 was not overly optimistic at that point, but for Maresca, it represents an excellent start.

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

Bajkowski replied: The way coaching teams work together is interesting, and each team operates differently. For example, last season Guardiola was happy to have Pep Lijnders lead training sessions multiple times, and Lijnders demanded a lot from players—more than anyone else. In Maresca's team, however, Maresca is very firm in communicating his philosophy to the players. Compared to Guardiola, Maresca is more hands-on, with other coaching staff mainly supporting roles. Maresca has also assigned more than one coach to focus on academy players to ensure their continuous development, with Danny Walker and Willie Caballero having special involvement in this work.

Donnarumma also seems satisfied with goalkeeping coach Mikel de Bernardín. This is not diminishing the abilities of Sidi Mansisidor, who was widely recognized as one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the industry. De Bernardín has organized targeted training sessions for Donnarumma to ensure his footwork accuracy. With a fellow Italian in the coaching staff, communication with Manchester City's goalkeeper has become easier. The atmosphere has naturally changed with the personnel changes, but standards remain the same.

One fan asked: Can Samba become a key option in the senior squad next season, training with the first team and starting in cup games like Foden? Currently he is behind Enzo and Anderson. Does the club have such plans?

Bajkowski clarified that Samba made an excellent debut in the match against Norwich. However, Samba will not turn 18 until January next year, and although he is one of the most promising players in his age group, his situation differs from Foden's. Bajkowski expects Samba to remain in the senior squad this season, and based on his performance against Norwich, he should get more playing time. The club will then need to decide how to manage him next season: he could continue playing under Maresca, or a loan move for more consistent playing opportunities might be more suitable.

Devine Mukasa, currently on loan at West Ham United, is considered ahead of Samba, and Benfica has Claudio Echeverri. Currently, being on loan does not mean first-team opportunities end. Samba's advantage is that he is with the team, and as long as he continues to earn opportunities, he will get more playing time while other players are loaned out.

One fan asked: After selling Álvarez and not signing a replacement striker, if Erling Haaland gets injured, won't Manchester City's attack become too thin when pursuing four trophies? Where else can the team score goals besides Haaland?

Bajkowski believes that without Haaland, the team's attack would certainly look thinner. Part of this is because Semenyo, viewed as Haaland's backup, is getting similar playing time to Haaland. If Foden weren't banned, Maresca would likely want him to play as a false nine against Norwich, but in that position, Samba hasn't been used in bigger matches. Foden, Chalobah, and Ndiaye have been mentioned as potential false nines. Guardiola's tactical withdrawal in the Norwich match also showed that Maresca is experimenting with different players and formations.

Bajkowski said this will be one of the key issues of the season. Currently, Manchester City appears to have limited attacking options, and many doubt that Maresca's team can win major trophies. However, every game is changing perceptions, and Manchester City may find ways to use Haaland effectively when needed and find alternative sources of goals when necessary.

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