Enzo Fernandez says Enzo Maresca was instrumental in helping him complete his record-equalling £125m move from Chelsea to Manchester City and has described the Italian as a “top manager”.
The 25-year-old midfielder joined City on deadline day after a summer of uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge. He spent three years with Chelsea, arriving after playing a key role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, and went on to establish himself as one of the club’s most important players.
Fernandez made 170 appearances for Chelsea during that period, more than any other player. He scored 31 goals – the second-highest total at the club – and supplied 29 assists, also the second-most.
Maresca was Chelsea manager during the most productive period of Fernandez’s time at the club. Only Cole Palmer, with 35, recorded more goal involvements than Fernandez’s 34 in all competitions under the Italian. Fernandez contributed 15 goals and 19 assists, while also helping Chelsea win the Conference League and Club World Cup.
The pair will now work together again at City, with Fernandez saying Maresca’s support was central to the transfer.
“He is a top manager, honestly,” Fernandez said of Maresca. “I had him at my previous club. They were incredible moments. I learned so much with him.
“He’s very similar to Latin people, very passionate. So, for me, it’s a pleasure to work with him. I’m also grateful because he was very important in bringing me here.
“So it’s a huge pleasure for me to work alongside him and enjoy it. To be honest, we were both very eager for it to happen, because it wasn’t easy for me to be here.
“But I know he also made a big effort, speaking to the club, and I’m grateful that he did. It was a long few days, but in the end I’m here, and I’m very happy to be joining this club.”
Fernandez could make his City debut this weekend when they host Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium. Coventry are still waiting for their first victory since returning to the Premier League.
The Sky Blues began with a defeat by champions Arsenal before losing 1-0 to fellow newly promoted side Hull City, Liam Millar scoring the decisive goal in the 82nd minute.
Those results mean Coventry have lost both of their league matches so far. It is the first time since April 2023 that Frank Lampard has suffered consecutive league defeats without his side scoring.
Coventry did create opportunities against Hull, finishing with an expected goals total of 1.3 from 11 shots, compared with Hull’s 0.7 from six attempts.
Lampard said his players needed to adapt more quickly to the demands of the top flight and improve their mentality.
“For a game, we controlled a lot of the possession. We were too slow with it. Against a back five and a team who want to slow you down,” Lampard told BBC Sport.
“We created more problems than Manchester United did, but it wasn’t like us. Normally we’re more aggressive. There are some serious lessons to learn.
“[Missing] Quality as well. You have to work towards quality. It was too much slow play from us. It’s hard against a back five. When you cross they have players to deal with it.
“The Premier League brings it with a feeling around it, it’s a step up. It’s a mental side for the players – I want them to get over it. They have to get to grips with it. We have to get there quickly.”
Players to watch
Erling Haaland will be looking to build on his first goal of the 2026-27 campaign, which came against Crystal Palace in his previous appearance.
The Norway striker has scored 19 times in 20 Premier League matches against newly promoted opponents. This will be his first meeting with Coventry, while he has found the net against 23 of the 24 teams he has faced in the competition, with Sunderland the only exception.
For Coventry, Taiwo Awoniyi remains a major threat despite not yet scoring for his new club in the Premier League. He was particularly influential against Hull, registering team-high figures for shots, with four, touches in the opposition penalty area, with seven, and chances created, with two.
Awoniyi will hope those promising performances are rewarded with his first league goal for the Sky Blues.
Manchester City favourites against Coventry
The match will be the first meeting between the clubs in any competition since March 2002, when Manchester City won 4-2 against Coventry in the second tier at Maine Road under manager Kevin Keegan.
Their most recent Premier League meetings came in the 2000-01 season, when both clubs were relegated. City have not beaten Coventry in their past eight top-flight encounters, drawing four and losing four, since completing a league double in 1992-93.
City’s current form against promoted teams is considerably stronger. They are unbeaten in their last 30 Premier League matches against newly promoted sides, winning 27 and drawing three, since a 2-1 defeat by Leeds United in April 2021.
Maresca’s most recent match against a promoted club came with Chelsea in December 2025, when they lost 3-1 to Leeds.
Coventry have opened this campaign with defeats by Arsenal and Hull. They have lost their first three matches of a league season on only four previous occasions: in the top flight in 1968-69, and in the second tier in 1919-20, 1949-50 and 2011-12.
Lampard has won only four of his past 32 Premier League matches, drawing eight and losing 20. He has managed just one victory in his last 19 games in the competition, a 3-1 success at Bournemouth while caretaker manager of Chelsea in May 2023.
City will also be able to call on Rayan Cherki, who has recorded four goal involvements in his opening two Premier League matches this season, scoring twice and providing two assists. Across his 20 Premier League starts, the Frenchman has contributed to 15 goals, with five goals and 10 assists.
Opta gives Manchester City an 82.4% chance of victory, with the probability of a draw placed at 10.8%. Coventry City are rated at 6.8%.
