Manchester City · Community Shield · Midfielder · #10 · France · 22 yrs
A late call, a great ball, and one small step towards paying off the most baffling transfer fee of the window. Those hoping for Enzo Fernandez to fall flat at Manchester City will have to wait a while longer to land their punches.
Nico O’Reilly has been ruled out of Manchester City’s game against Coventry (Getty) Nico O’Reilly missed Manchester City’s Premier League match against Coventry City after suffering an injury during the warm-up. The 21-year-old was named in Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up for City’s game at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. However, O’Reilly pulled up during the warm-up with a back injury and after speaking with the club’s medical staff he went down the tunnel before his teammates. O’Reilly was then replaced in City’s starting line-up by their new £125 million signing Enzo Fernandez. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Speaking about O’Reilly’s injury after the game, Maresca said: ‘Nico felt something in his back, it doesn’t look like something serious but he was not able to play.’ City sealed a 1-0 win over Coventry with Erling Haaland’s goal in the first half. Nico O’Reilly injured his back during the warm-up (PA Wire) O’Reilly’s injury will come as a concern for City as they play Porto in their first Champions League league phase game on Tuesday. Maresca also explained why he decided to start Fernandez on the bench before O’Reilly’s injury forced the change to his starting line-up. Man City vs Coventry City line-ups (Getty) Man City: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol, Anderson, Fernandez, Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland. Subs: Rulli, Kovacic, Ait-Nouri, Nunes, Bouaddi, Foden, McAidoo, Rico Lewis. Coventry City: Rushworth, Van Ewijk, Amenda, Thomas, Pinnock, DaSilva, Onyeka, Grimes, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Awoniyi. Subs: Bentley, Sakamoto, Yirenkyi, Simms, Tchaouno, Latibeaudiere, Thomas-Asante, Torp, Hamer. ‘The reason why Enzo was on the bench was because he arrived two days ago,’ Maresca said. ‘I know how frustrating it has been for Enzo the last two or three weeks. So the idea was to give him some minutes but at the end he played from the start. ‘I think it was quite good and I’m happy also with this performance.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Rayan Cherki’s outstanding start to the 2026-27 season is attracting attention across Europe, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich all monitoring the Manchester City playmaker ahead of the January transfer window. The 23-year-old has quickly become one of Enzo Maresca’s most dangerous attacking players, registering two assists against Bournemouth before scoring twice in […] The post Sources: Man City star lands on Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich transfer shortlists appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Joe Hart says Man City have ‘sent a real message’ to their rivals (Photo: Getty) Joe Hart has named the key player Manchester City must sign to help them challenge the likes of Arsenal for the Premier League title. City have had a shaky start to life under Enzo Maresca, losing 3-0 in the Community Shield to the Gunners before only narrowly beating Bournemouth at home in their Premier League opener. But they looked back to their imperious best on Friday night, thumping Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park, with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki bagging braces. Arsenal remain the firm favourites to retain the title this season, but Hart believes this victory was a real statement of intent from the Citizens. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. ‘They’re by no means the finished article under Maresca. He knows that and the team know that and there were some difficult moments tonight,’ the legendary City goalkeeper told Premier League Productions. ‘Thought Palace had their moments where they could be in the game, but when City were on, they were hot. I think that sends a real message to the Premier League. ‘They were just as dominant as Arsenal were in their opening game and as impressive as they were. Maybe not for the full 90 minutes, but Manchester City really looked good today. Erling Haland is the only centre-forward in Man City’s first-team (Photo: Getty) ‘And with bringing [Ayyoub] Bouaddi on and potentially some more signings in the window, really good, really encouraging.’ After selling Omar Marmoush to Tottenham, Haaland is the only centre-forward in Maresca’s first-team and former Palace striker Glenn Murray believes that could be a problem. ‘It’s world class, that’s what it is and when he [Haaland] is on form like this for Manchester City, it’s a scary proposition,’ he said. Man City have been linked with Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo (Photo: Getty) ‘But is it going to be enough? Do they need somebody else as well to carry that burden throughout this season?’ Hart completely agreed, urging Maresca to make a signing, amid rumours the Citizens are interested in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and former player Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a big money move to Arsenal. ‘He’s been very used to having summers off and he’s just had an amazing, big summer [at the World Cup],’ the former England international said. ‘Of course, he’s enjoyed it and it’s grown him, scored some amazing goals, but that is taxing. ‘That Norway team’s good, every two years [World Cup and European Championships] and the Nations League now. ‘He’s going to have so many games, he’s going to need some help.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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