Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has named Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma as the club’s captains ahead of the new campaign.
The decision gives the four experienced players additional leadership responsibilities as Maresca prepares his squad for the demands of the season.
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The announcement was disclosed in a post by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X on Friday.
Dias, Haaland, Guehi and Donnarumma will form part of the Man City captains group, providing the squad with several senior figures capable of assuming leadership duties on the pitch.
The decision comes as Maresca continues to shape the squad and establish his leadership structure ahead of a campaign in which Manchester City will be expected to compete for major honours.
Maresca also spoke positively about midfielder Enzo Fernández, highlighting the Argentine’s winning mentality and experience at the highest level.
“I know Enzo [Fernández] quite well, and I know what he can bring to the team. He is a winner, with a winner’s mentality, and knows how to win the World Cup and the Club World Cup,” Maresca said.
The manager added that Fernández’s experience of winning major trophies could prove valuable as the club pursues its ambitions for the season.
Maresca also revealed the enthusiasm within the squad over Fernández’s arrival, saying several players had been asking whether the midfielder would join the team.
“I can promise you, in the last four or five days, four or five players were asking if he’s coming or not, because they wanted him with us!” he said.
The manager’s comments underline the importance he places on mentality and leadership as he builds his squad.
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said decisions concerning the squad had been taken collectively following Fernández’s exit.
“We take all the decisions together. We work together in every decision, big or small,” Alonso said.
He added that the priority was to make decisions that would benefit the team and help build a strong squad spirit.
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With Dias, Haaland, Guehi and Donnarumma now entrusted with captaincy responsibilities, Manchester City will hope the experienced quartet can provide leadership and stability as the new campaign gathers pace.
