Enzo Maresca has taken over from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, ending the Catalan's 10-year reign, and a summer of heavy transfer activity has reshaped the squad. Long-serving players including Bernardo Silva, Rodri, John Stones and Nathan Ake have departed, and Maresca, chosen for sharing many of Guardiola's qualities, is determined to do things his own way.
Some players have thrived under the new approach, while others have seen their opportunities shrink as the team's form has dipped. Here is a look at the winners and losers so far from Maresca's first few months at City.
Haaland still delivering
Erling Haaland had statistically his worst start to a Premier League season, with five goals from the opening five games, fewer than in 2022 (nine), 2023 (seven), 2024 (ten) and 2025 (six). Yet his goals proved crucial, with three of the five being the first goal of the match and giving City control.
His late finish against RB Leipzig and a well-taken effort at Old Trafford, overshadowed by controversy, kept City ticking. Maresca is setting the team up to maximise goal opportunities for Haaland, who appears in the right frame of mind for another big season.
New signings making an impact
Elliot Anderson has quickly justified one of the biggest price tags in the game after City paid £116million for the midfielder. Still learning and adapting to Maresca's demands, he has impressed supporters with his quality and consistency, making himself an automatic pick.
Gianluigi Donnarumma's position inside the club is stronger than last season, with Geronimo Rulli not generating the same clamour for a start as James Trafford did. The goalkeeper has become one of the captains and made important saves, but careless errors in recent games have cost the team and put him under scrutiny again.
Youngsters and those struggling
Floyd Samba, 17, scored two goals on his debut at home to Norwich in the Carabao Cup, playing out of position as a No.9. He has since started against Brighton in the cup and in the Champions League at home to AEK Athens, quickly earning Maresca's trust.
Rayan Ait-Nouri has struggled for minutes, overlooked at full-back and left out of multiple squads. After 10 Premier League games he has not played a single minute in the competition, and a January exit looks needed for all parties. Enzo Fernandez has nailed down a spot in the XI since his record £125m move, but as team performances have dropped, his contributions have come under fire, with some believing Ayyoub Bouaddi deserves more opportunities.
