Despite the uncertainty, a new era officially gets at Manchester City this weekend

This week has been dominated by players either leaving Manchester City or edging closer to an exit from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders have left City this week. Savinho is on the verge of completing his ‘dream’ move to Tottenham. There is also the real possibility that Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez could also depart City before the transfer window closes. Om top of that, Enzo Maresca’s side was well beaten by Arsenal 3-0 in the FA Community Shield last Sunday. All of these factors combined have seemingly dampened the excitement of a new season beginning.

However, this Sunday the Enzo Maresca era officially gets underway against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. City will begin a new Premier League season at home. That is an exciting moment in itself. Despite the fact that players have left Manchester City this week and will do before the transfer window closes, Enzo Maresca has enough to work with to ensure that the early stages of the 2026-27 season can begin on a positive note.

Manchester City have the squad capable of beginning the 2026-27 season well despite the uncertainty.

Last season saw Pep Guardiola put the building blocks in place for the next era at Manchester City. Building team spirit and teaching the players City hope will continue Guardiola’s legacy how to win trophies was the final act of Pep Guardiola as the Manchester City manager. Those lessons will now look to be carried over by Enzo Maresca.

The Enzo Maresca era didn’t get off to the best start last weekend. Maresca’s first official match in charge ended in a chastening 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Community Shield. Whether or not the Community Shield is an official match or a glorified friendly is a matter of personal opinion. What isn’t in dispute is the manner of City’s defeat and the departures of key players or impending departures of others have taken focus off a new Premier League season starting this weekend.

Putting all of that aside, Manchester City take on Bournemouth this Sunday at the Etihad Stadium. In terms of what starting eleven Enzo Maresca could select, he has plenty of quality options to choose from. A possible starting eleven of Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol, Anderson, O’Reilly, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo, and Erling Haaland is packed with quality. That seems to have been forgotten throughout this week.

Bournemouth are a quality team, but City have an opportunity to start the season strongly at home.

Last season saw Bournemouth finish sixth in the Premier League table. Andoni Iraola’s side were outstanding throughout the 2025-26 season but they have undergone change this summer. Andoni Iraola has left Bournemouth and is now the manager of Liverpool. Marco Rose has replaced him in the dugout. While there has been a change in the dugout for the Cherries, Rose employs a similar system to Iraola with high pressing being key so a familiar challenge awaits Enzo Maresca’s side on Sunday.

Also, Bournemouth are packed with quality in their ranks. Any team with Alex Scott, Rayan, Evanilson, just to name a few, is a handful. Despite this, Enzo Maresca’s side has the opportunity to start the new era at Manchester City strongly. City are opening the season at home and picking up three points to start the new campaign should be enough to lift the mood surrounding the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.

Final thoughts.

The beginning of a new season is always an exciting time. The Enzo Maresca era at Manchester City begins in the Premier League this Sunday against Bournemouth. If City can pick up three points at the Etihad, it may well help lift the cloud that has hung over them this week as players depart the club with the potential of more to come. Yes, Enzo Maresca’s squad isn’t yet fully complete but there is more than enough quality there for City to begin the season strongly on Sunday.