Enzo Maresca on the sidelines as Chelsea manager alongside circular insets of Illiman Ndiaye and Savinho.
Enzo Maresca, Illiman Ndiaye, Savinho(Credit: Imago)
Manchester City

Illiman Ndiaye should be Enzo Maresca's weapon of choice as he rebuilds Manchester City

Ciaran Morrison
Ciaran Morrison

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football finance journalist specialising in the financial landscape of the Premier League and SPFL. FOCUS Financial analysis, club economics, and data-led coverage across the top flight and Scottish football. THE INSIGHT Ciaran utilises a network of financial and industry contacts to deliver verified, data-driven analysis. He provides the numbers behind the noise to ensure fans understand the fiscal reality driving decisions at the top of the game.

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Manchester City are expected to appoint Enzo Maresca as their next manager, and the Italian should be pushing to sign Illiman Ndiaye if Savinho departs.

The Mail report that Ndiaye could be a transfer target for Man City this summer, and the Citizens are currently "weighing up a move."

Any pursuit of Ndiaye could depend on whether Man City allow Savinho to join Tottenham in a deal worth around £60million.

Maresca is expected to be named Man City manager once the club have agreed a compensation package with Chelsea.

It is no surprise that the Italian would like to bring Ndiaye to the Etihad given his fine season at Everton, who will be trying hard to keep the 26-year-old at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Ndiaye contributed six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, whilst becoming Everton's main creative spark from either midfield or out wide.

Illiman Ndiaye has better stats than Savinho

Savinho has not nailed down a place in the Man City team since arriving from Troyes in 2024, and was linked with a move to Spurs in January.

£60m for a forward who has only scored two goals and registered nine assists in 53 appearances would be excellent business by Man City.

Meanwhile, Ndiaye has spent the past two seasons at Everton, and created more chances, had a better rate of successful dribbles per 90 minutes, and was better in defensive stats that Savinho in the 2025-26 campaign.

Whilst former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Everton are confident of keeping Ndiaye, a big offer from Man City, and Champions League football, could tempt the club and the player to agree a deal.

Enzo Maresca on the sidelines as Chelsea manager alongside circular insets of Illiman Ndiaye and Savinho.
Everton given Iliman Ndiaye encouragement by transfer expert as Man City circle

Trio of Man City stars face uncertain futures

Savinho has simply not contributed enough to Man City since joining the club, and Maresca should make a ruthless decision on the 22-year-old.

Maresca may also have to make big decisions on the futures of Rodri, Nathan Ake and Omar Marmoush.

All three players have been linked with leaving Man City this summer, with only Rodri a guaranteed starter when fit.

Maresca should be looking to tie Rodri down to a new contract, with the midfielder only having a year left on his current deal.

The Italian is set for a busy start to life at Man City as soon as he is given the green light to join.

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