Man City latest: Marmoush will decide Etihad future, says Maresca

Manchester City’s pre-season narrative is increasingly shaped by the futures of players whose roles have narrowed under Enzo Maresca. The manager’s latest intervention centres on Omar Marmoush, the Egyptian striker whose path to regular minutes at the Etihad remains blocked by Erling Haaland. After Marmoush scored twice in Sunday’s 3-1 friendly win over Atletico Madrid in Seoul, Maresca made clear the decision on his future now rests with the player himself.

Marmoush’s moment, and the weight of his choice

Maresca framed Marmoush’s dilemma in terms he had already applied to James Trafford, the goalkeeper who left for Leeds after failing to dislodge Ederson. “The answer has to be similar to the one I answer about James Trafford,” Maresca said. “Players work every day, they want to play so when they don’t play they are not happy. Omar did not play a lot last year so his desire is probably to play more minutes. It doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to play more minutes here but it’s also his decision, and he needs to decide.”

Since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025, Marmoush has managed just 22 Premier League starts and 15 substitute appearances, contributing 10 league goals. His two goals against Atletico—City’s third pre-season fixture in South Korea—offered a reminder of his finishing, yet they did little to shift the hierarchy ahead of the club’s Community Shield meeting with Arsenal and the league opener against Bournemouth on 23 August.

City’s transfer activity takes shape

Maresca’s comments arrived as City edge closer to two transfers that would soften the impact of Rodri’s expected departure. The club are closing in on an £85 million deal for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, a Morocco international midfielder whose arrival would provide cover in midfield while City pursue a replacement for the Spain international. Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez’s future continues to ripple beyond the Etihad. Arsenal, long admirers of the Argentinian forward, remain in the frame after missing out on Vinicius Junior, though Atletico Madrid insist he is not for sale. Alvarez has reiterated his desire to join Barcelona, a stance that could force Arsenal to reassess their pursuit if Barça signal a shift in policy.

City’s pre-season tour has already seen key absentees—Haaland, Rodri, Rayan Cherki, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly—due to World Cup commitments, yet Maresca stressed the squad’s adaptability. “I’m very happy,” he said. “Especially because the players since we started have been open-minded. They want to understand and want to learn why we do things. I know that when you join a new club you try to install new patterns or different ideas. The most important thing is we are getting better.”

What comes next for Marmoush and City

The Community Shield against Arsenal on Sunday will mark the final step in City’s pre-season, followed by league fixtures against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. Marmoush’s future, however, will be decided in the coming weeks rather than on the pitch. Maresca’s blunt message—”he needs to decide”—leaves the striker with two clear options: force his way into the first XI or seek minutes elsewhere. The manager’s comparison to Trafford underscores a club policy that prioritises playing time for those who demand it, even at the cost of unsettled talent.

City’s transfer activity suggests they are preparing for all eventualities. Bouaddi’s imminent arrival would at least ease the midfield logjam, while Alvarez’s potential exit—however unlikely—would remove another forward option. Marmoush, meanwhile, must decide whether to bide his time or pursue a move before the transfer window closes. The Etihad’s future for the Egyptian now hinges on a single conversation, one whose outcome could reverberate through City’s squad and the Premier League title race.

City’s preparations are entering their final phase, but the most pressing question remains unanswered: where will Omar Marmoush play next season? The club’s next move may depend on his answer.

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