Why Enzo Fernandez’s arrival could reshape Ayyoub Bouaddi’s Manchester City start

Manchester City’s record move for Enzo Fernandez has intensified the battle for midfield places and immediately made Ayyoub Bouaddi’s route into the starting line-up more difficult.

The club completed a deal worth about €145m to sign the Argentina international from Chelsea, making Fernandez Manchester City’s most expensive signing. He reunites with Enzo Maresca and appears set to play a central role in the manager’s reshaped midfield.

That creates a significant challenge for Bouaddi, who only recently joined Manchester City. The 18-year-old became the most expensive Moroccan player in history this summer and the second most expensive African player ever. His transfer could eventually reach €100m, including bonuses, although that price tag offers no guarantee of a place in the team.

Bouaddi must now compete with Elliot Anderson, Mateo Kovacic, Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Matheus Nunes for opportunities in midfield.

Several routes into the team

One option for Maresca would be a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Fernandez operating in a double pivot. The former Chelsea player has the ability to control possession from deep, dictate the tempo and organise play in front of the defence.

That system could give Bouaddi the clearest opportunity to start alongside him. The Morocco international could be asked to provide balance and defensive recovery, with Anderson, Kovacic and O’Reilly among the other players competing for a role beside Fernandez.

Bouaddi’s encouraging early performances for Manchester City have suggested he can adapt quickly to the demands of his new surroundings. However, Anderson will probably begin with an advantage after arriving for a higher fee than Bouaddi.

Maresca could instead select Fernandez as one of the two number eights in a 4-3-3. That would allow the Argentine more freedom to move forward, while another midfielder would be responsible for protecting the defence. Bouaddi is suited to that role, as is Anderson.

With Foden or Cherki also capable of occupying the other number-eight position, the space available to Bouaddi would become more limited. Fernandez’s status makes him difficult to leave out, meaning several players could be competing for what may be the final midfield place.

A further possibility would be to position Fernandez closer to Erling Haaland. The World Cup winner scored 15 goals in all competitions for Chelsea last season and can operate as a number 10, arriving late in the penalty area and supporting the attack.

In that 4-2-3-1 structure, two positions would be available behind Haaland and could, in theory, improve Bouaddi’s prospects. Even then, the competition would remain fierce, with Anderson, Kovacic and O’Reilly also able to play in those areas.

Fernandez’s transfer does not automatically condemn Bouaddi to a place on the bench. The different formations available to Maresca provide him with several possible routes into the starting side.

But the teenager’s situation has changed before he has had much time to establish himself at Manchester City. The club have added a record signing around whom their midfield could be built, and Bouaddi’s task is now less about finding an empty position than proving he is the best partner for Fernandez.

By Naim Beneddra