--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T18:31:00.070Z last_updated: 2026-06-09T05:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/manchester-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFuY2hlc3RlcmV2ZW5pbmduZXdzLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0L2Zvb3RiYWxsL2Zvb3RiYWxsLW5ld3Mvcm9kcmktdHJhbnNmZXItZm9kZW4tZm9ybS1zcGVjdWxhdGlvbi0zNDA4MjI2OA --- # Rodri transfer, Foden form, speculation - Five problems facing Maresca at City - **Source:** - **Published:** 9 Jun - **Club:** Manchester City - **Original URL:** https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rodri-transfer-foden-form-speculation-34082268 When he does eventually arrive, Maresca will be keen to get straight to work. Guardiola may have left but the target for City remains the same and that is to win the Premier League. In the 2024/25 season, the Blues were transitioning and not competitive. This season, they took the title race to the final week. However, coming a close second to Arsenal is not the success that Guardiola urged City to continue during his farewell speech. But if City are to reclaim the title, there are a number of issues the new head coach must address first. With this in mind, MEN Sport has picked out five problems the Blues must solve this summer. The World Cup may provide fans with a much-needed football fix but City and Maresca would undoubtedly have preferred for it not to be on the agenda. Rodri is just one player whose future plans are on hold until after the summer tournament takes place. Spain's star man insists he knows 'exactly where he stands' on his future but will not discuss it until after the World Cup. While understandable, it does make life difficult for City. It seems City have, at most, 12 months to adequately replace a player so fundamental to their playing style for seven years. If he has decided he wants to leave this summer, Maresca has a choice to make involving this next man... Since the turn of the year when Rodri returned to full fitness, Gonzalez has become a distant second or even third or fourth choice and was not selected in the matchday squads for the crucial games against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Of course, it is not too late for the Spaniard to resurrect his City career. But Maresca must consider whether he is the man to trust should Rodri leave or if a new signing is required. Gvardiol's contract situation is less of an immediate concern for City. The versatile Croatian defender has two years remaining on his deal. However, City would like to tie him down for longer but those negotiations have not concluded yet. This has buoyed the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich who could look to prise him away from the club. The 24-year-old appears to be happy at City but looks to be keeping his options open. If Maresca wants him to be part of his long-term plans, he needs to sit down with Gvardiol as a matter of urgency. Nobody will have been pleased to see Guardiola leave City but Trafford would be lying if he did not admit that it at least unlocks a door for him. It has been well documented how this season has not lived up to Trafford's expectations. He started the campaign as the undisputed first choice but by the end of the summer transfer window, he was relegated to cup goalkeeper. Trafford could not have done much more to boost his reputation when he did play as City won both domestic cups but being first choice will be his aim for this season. Maresca must decide whether Gianluigi Donnarumma will remain City's first choice or if Trafford has a chance to win that spot back. Had Guardiola stayed, leaving would have been guaranteed, but a new head coach could give the England international a lifeline. Unlike all those mentioned above, Foden does not leave City second guessing where his mind is at. The boyhood supporter would love to stay at the Etihad Stadium indefinitely. But this season was tough for Foden and the 26-year-old has now entered the final year of his contract. City want him to sign a new deal and while that is expected to be a formality, nothing has been confirmed. If Foden is to stay, Maresca needs to find a way of tapping into the player that City fans know he can be. Missing out on the World Cup could be a blessing in disguise for Foden but 2026/27 needs to be his year.