Enzo Maresca says he is “completely happy” with Marc Guehi despite criticism of the defender following City’s 2-1 Premier League defeat by Aston Villa.
Guehi was dispossessed in the build-up to Nicolas Jackson’s opening goal at Villa Park on Saturday, bringing his defending under scrutiny. The England international was substituted at half-time.
Since the beginning of last season, only Bart Verbruggen, with five, and Jan Paul van Hecke and Robin Roefs, with four each, have made more errors leading to Premier League goals than Guehi, who has made three.
The defender also made a mistake during England’s Nations League defeat by Spain in the previous international break.
However, Maresca defended Guehi before City’s EFL Cup tie against Brighton, saying he had responded well to the criticism.
“I’m completely, especially in this moment, happy with Marc,” Maresca said.
“The way he reacted was fantastic. He is a top guy, a leader, one of the captains and I love Marc to be honest.
“When they make some mistakes, they recognise them. Marc is aware now.
“He’s played all minutes since the start of the season with us and the international team. In the last two weeks he didn’t play the Champions League game, he played 45 minutes the other day so he’s completely okay.”
City have won their past seven EFL Cup matches, equalling their best winning run in the competition.
Only six teams have recorded eight consecutive EFL Cup victories. The most recent were Newcastle United, who won nine in a row between October 2024 and December 2025.
The meeting with Brighton will be only the second between the clubs in the EFL Cup. Their previous tie came in the second round during the 2008-09 season, when Brighton won 5-3 on penalties after the match finished 2-2 at Withdean Stadium.
Maresca’s team will play Brighton twice this week, with the sides due to meet again in the league on Saturday.
The City manager expects both matches to be demanding, given Brighton’s approach and recent form.
“First of all, they are doing very well so both games will be tough,” he said.
“They are very brave, aggressive and when they have the ball they attack with so many players.
“They create so many chances. We need to do the right things offensively and defensively.”
