Maresca raises doubts over Rodri future as Haaland captaincy questioned

Enzo Maresca is considering a new Manchester City captain after Bernardo Silva’s departure this summer, with Rodri’s future at the club uncertain and Erling Haaland unlikely to be handed the permanent armband.

The Italian manager recently arrived at Etihad Stadium to succeed Pep Guardiola and is reshaping Manchester City’s leadership structure before the start of the new season.

Ruben Dias, Haaland and Rodri currently form part of the club’s leadership group. However, Rodri’s position has become less certain after Barcelona made an approach for the Spain midfielder.

The Catalan club’s interest comes as European teams look to take advantage of a transitional period at Manchester City following Guardiola’s departure and Maresca’s appointment.

Maresca wants to establish a dependable leadership group and is also keen to include a player who has come through the club’s academy to fill the vacant place left by Silva.

The manager appears to have ruled out making Haaland the permanent captain, although the Norway striker is expected to remain an important figure within the group.

Maresca explained that he follows a strict tactical rule in which the captain must go to the touchline to receive instructions after every goal. Given Haaland’s exceptional scoring record, the manager joked about the difficulties that could arise if the striker were made captain.

“If Erling is the captain, we have a problem, can you imagine?” Maresca said in comments reported by BBC. “If you watched the South Korea game on Wednesday, when we scored the first goal, Ruben came to the bench.”

Maresca was quick to praise Haaland’s character, adding that the forward was among the first Manchester City players to send him a welcome message after he joined the club.

That support means Haaland is set to remain a central member of Manchester City’s leadership group, even if he does not take the main captaincy.

Ruben Dias appears to be the leading candidate to assume the primary leadership responsibilities. The Portugal defender is already part of the existing group and was specifically highlighted by Maresca when discussing his approach to the captain’s role.

Although Maresca also praised the influence Rodri has within the squad, his comments have added to the uncertainty surrounding the midfielder’s future at Manchester City.

“At the moment, we have three or four players in the leadership group, and we are missing one player,” Maresca said.

“As for Rodri, we will see what happens.”

Manchester City will begin the new English football season against Arsenal on Sunday, when the two sides meet in the Community Shield. Arsenal are the reigning Premier League champions, and Manchester City will be seeking to claim the opening trophy of the campaign.