# How Maresca and Viana created the new City with four 'cornerstones' **By:** Jack Gaughan **Published:** 2026-08-06T17:00:46+0100 **Source:** [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-16027227/Manchester-City-Maresca-Viana-Guardiola.html) --- How Enzo Maresca and Hugo Viana created the new Man City with two-year post-Guardiola plan - the four 'cornerstone' players set to fill leadership void and who's coming and going in midfield overhaul There has been an obvious drive over the summer to futureproof the Manchester City squad, with Jeremy Doku becoming the latest star to commit to a new five-year contract. Doku joins Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden and Abdukodir Khusanov in agreeing fresh terms over the past fortnight, the quartet seen as integral to the new era of City. A City without Pep Guardiola and a City without so many of the stalwarts synonymous with rampant success. Gvardiol and Doku, two of last season’s standout performers, are still only 24 (Foden is 26, Khusanov 22) and the hope is that the pair are the sort of figures who will provide a cornerstone to an evolving team and club. Clearly, director of football Hugo Viana and new boss Enzo Maresca have identified the men they believe can step into the shoes of Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and more than a few others in exacting standards and taking on the responsibility of delivering consistent trophies. It is difficult to think of too many harder jobs in elite football than that right now, especially if Rodri secures a move back to Spain, with Barcelona now rivalling Real Madrid for his signature. A departure of a midfielder crowned the best player at the World Cup would leave City’s four-man leadership group cut in half in recent months and points to the lack of real experience – something Maresca addressed earlier in the stifling week in Seoul. Jeremy Doku (left) has become the latest Manchester City star to commit to a new five-year contract Defender Josko Gvardiol has also agreed fresh terms, and is a key part of the City rebuild under Enzo Maresca Rodri will leave very large boots to fill should he leave for Barcelona or Real Madrid Gvardiol and Foden have both publicly raised their hands to take roles in the captaincy team and there is jostling behind the scenes between players who want to make their mark under a fresh regime – one that ought to offer some of them renewed energy. Nico Gonzalez, who failed to start a single league game between January and May, insisted that he is one of them. ‘I’m happy here,’ said Gonzalez, who joined for £50million 18 months ago. ‘I don’t want to leave and I think the club wants me to stay. If we win, I’m happy. My dream is to win trophies. 'If I don’t play any matches and we win the Champions League next year, I will be so happy. The final of the FA Cup I was not picked but we won so it was an amazing day for me. To be honest, last season I couldn’t have expected to have played almost 30 matches in the starting XI. I played really good. I’ve had many opportunities.’ Gonzalez – who didn’t even make the bench for that FA Cup final he referenced – does have his price but it has become clearer in recent days that Tijjani Reijnders is more likely to exit the building before the window closes. Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United are monitoring the Dutchman, valued at £55million. Be it Rodri or Reijnders or both, City sources have indicated that they are ready to replace any potential outgoings. The pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi, a breakout talent at the World Cup with Morocco, is a separate entity and they are pressing ahead with negotiations with Lille regardless of movements in the other direction. They had accelerated the rebuild in January, spending £85million on Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, with the two signings from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace embedded into the squad then rather than now – which ought to represent something of an advantage moving forward. Semenyo contributed to two trophy wins – scoring the FA Cup-winning goal over Chelsea – while Guehi was ineligible to feature in the Carabao Cup final, a decision that riled Guardiola. Nico Gonzalez insists he is happy at City despite failing to start a league game between January and May City are pressing ahead with negotiations with Lille for Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi (right) But Tijjani Reijnders could be on the way out amid interest from Nottingham Forest and Newcastle City believe the strategy of doing those deals six months early, and supplementing it by breaking their transfer record with £116million Elliot Anderson once Maresca assumed the post, will reap its rewards. ‘I don’t think any player has the position guaranteed for all the matches,’ Gonzalez added. ‘We are one of the best teams in the world and obviously there is competition in every position. That is what makes us be in the position that we are, winning so many Premier Leagues and competing for everything.’ Gonzalez is talking about a different squad though. He’s never won a title. Only five of this group were around for the Treble, revealing quite how much rebuilding has gone on in the three seasons since. City have spent much of the last two years planning for this moment, for life after Guardiola, and now the time has come to determine how meticulous that has been. Lionel Messi BREAKS World Cup all-time goalscoring record with signature strike against Austria - after Argentina captain had earlier sent a penalty wide Former Wimbledon champion hit with FOUR-YEAR ban after refusing anti-doping test because she feared for her safety when doping control officers turned up at her home Man United snap up land to take over a go-kart track and build their £2bn 100,000-seat stadium after they abandoned £360m argument Burnt Chip, Heinz and the American star with 2.6m Instagram followers: Meet the biggest influencers and online personalities the TV cameras are panning to at the World Cup Saudi Arabia reveals plans to build 'Wimbledon of the desert' - by the same architects and in the same colours - as the 'future home of tennis' England's World Cup stars are duped into signing America's Declaration of Independence by US fan pranksters at their Kansas City training base American World Cup fans are mocked for their tame chants as boisterous European football fans invade the States Lionesses on tour! Ella Toone takes her England team-mates to Ibiza for her hen do, weeks before her wedding - where her fiancé says football chat is BANNED! Thomas Partey joins kids' football session in Rhode Island - days after being barred from Canada for Ghana's opening match The incredible story of Australia's World Cup hero Nestory Irankunda - the 'next Jude Bellingham' who was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania and played alongside Harry Kane The deadly own goal that marred USA's last World Cup: How 1994 cartel killing of Colombia's Andres Escobar became the sport's most haunting murder mystery Scotland fans go wild at home and in Boston - including Rod Stewart - as their team win on their return to the World Cup after 28 years away England's new WAGs power list with no Dani Dyer, Fern Hawkins or Rebecca Cooke: Brainy, loyal AND glamorous... how Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka's partners are changing the support squad game How the World Cup's 'least-known footballer' became a viral sensation overnight: Unsung New Zealand star, 32, climbs from 5k to 5MILLION followers on Instagram thanks to bizarre social media quest West Ham co-owner David Sullivan accused of abusing and preying on teenage girls for sex in BBC Panorama documentary England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson set to MISS second Test against New Zealand after breaking team curfew - as ECB launch probe into nightclub melee 'involving Saracens rugby academy star' that left security guard injured Christian Eriksen hints he will keep playing football and insists his collapse was 'very different from 2021' - as pundit tells him: 'Retire for your wife's sake' Revealed: Thomas Tuchel's adrenaline-pumping 'Mount Everest' speech and presentation to England players is released for the first time - with a huge indicator over why he snubbed Palmer, Foden and Co   Christian Eriksen collapses on the pitch for Denmark again as well-wishes pour in for playmaker as Ukraine friendly is abandoned - almost exactly five years since his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 World Cup 2026 pundit wars: How BBC's work-from-home line-up shapes up against ITV without Gary Lineker, with two sacked Tottenham managers ready to go head-to-head... but who comes out on top? Nine people injured in mass shooting near England's World Cup base in Kansas City Kim Kardashian cheers on boyfriend Lewis Hamilton at Monaco Grand Prix alongside sister Khloe NBA star who won three titles with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dies aged 59 Scott McTominay - Scotland's World Cup poster boy: How ex-Man United star reached icon status after his 'glow-up' era in sunny Naples, his love of Italian fashion - and why he's now on £20 bank notes A party 22 years in the making: Arsenal's Premier League title parade turns north London into sea of red in celebration of heroes - as they banish Champions League heartache My eyes were burning as tear gas hit the streets of Paris... and joyful celebrations of European glory escalated into shameful riots that engulfed the city until dawn, writes JAMES SHARPE Mikel Arteta 'parked a double-decker bus' and attack was 'a sorry mess' in Champions League final Arsenal deserved to lose, claims L'Equipe - as SIX stars are given rating of five or lower EXCLUSIVEWorld Cup stadiums to feature life-saving DRONES armed with defibrillators and epipens to ensure rapid response to medical emergencies in the stands Motorist 'tried to warn Raheem Sterling' before ex-England ace, 31, swerved across motorway and crashed his £270,000 Lamborghini into barrier One fan dead and another in intensive care after violence in 15 French cities following PSG's win over Arsenal - with cars set on fire and attempt to storm police station during mayhem Arsenal's heartbroken stars leave team hotel in Budapest hours after brutal Champions League final defeat on penalties against PSG Ralf Schumacher, 50, marries Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne, 36, as ex-F1 star ties the knot with his partner in glitzy St Tropez bash 19 months after coming out as gay Pep Guardiola's last dance: A Michael Jordan tribute, trophy lifts from Vincent Kompany and Jack Grealish and a Wonderwall rendition - how Man City boss was given a legendary farewell Premier League points swing table: Did your club improve or flop? As Man United finish 29 POINTS better off than last season while Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle all show major drop offs Roy Keane ramps up his Bruno Fernandes spat with cryptic Instagram post after Manchester United icon was branded as a 'liar' by Red Devils captain Eight spectators at Isle of Man TT are taken to hospital after a rider crashes during practice and suffers injuries too - with incident under investigation Derek Chisora, 42, reveals he is using medical cannabis to cope with chronic pain after 20-year boxing career What next for Emma Raducanu? As British No 1 fights back tears after her latest defeat and claims 'it's very difficult' to go on, here's why this summer is make or break, writes JAMES SHARPE David Beckham and Gary Neville look glum in scorching Wembley heat as Salford City sink to a comprehensive defeat in League Two play-off final against Notts County Wild moment French Open tennis star sprints to the bathroom mid-match after desperate plea to umpire: 'I can't move anymore' Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh in talks over surprise investment in Derby County - but here's why Newcastle hold key to potential deal   Revealed: The lavish £120,000 designer jewellery Aryna Sabalenka is set to wear at the French Open - days after world No 1 threatened to boycott event over prize money Oleksandr Usyk earns controversial 11th-round stoppage win over kickboxer Rico Verhoeven to retain his WBC belt with Anthony Joshua in support - as Dutchman demands rematch and questions ref's verdict 'You better win next year': Mohamed Salah sends message to Arne Slot and Liverpool team-mates - as departing star warns 'it is the worst club in the world when you lose' Phil Foden's seven-year-old son Ronnie joins backlash to his father's omission from England's World Cup squad... but are Tuchel's picks a bid to avoid repeat of 2006's Baden-Baden WAGs circus? Harry Kane wins his second trophy of the season after Bayern Munich star hits a HAT-TRICK in German Cup final - as England captain sends World Cup warning to Three Lions' rivals Keir Starmer urges TNT to reverse decision and make Champions League final free-to-air as Arsenal bid for further glory against PSG Hull City secure Premier League promotion as Oli McBurnie scores late winner in Championship play-off final - after Middlesbrough's reprieve proved temporary after Spygate drama Celtic 3-1 Dunfermline: Martin O'Neill pulls off miraculous league and Scottish Cup double... and stakes strong claim to stay on as manager PSG team-mates REFUSE to shake hands hinting at discord within squad before Arsenal Champions League final Running a vineyard, launching a racing career - and returning to the club! Where are Pep Guardiola's first Man City team now? Mohamed Salah's daughters share cheeky advice on what the Liverpool legend could have done BETTER as they take part in poignant Anfield farewell video 'Shocked and gutted' Harry Maguire breaks cover after Man United star was brutally AXED from Thomas Tuchel's World Cup England squad Golf chief axed by PGA of America after Rory McIlroy abuse controversy and car crash Ryder Cup interview Pastures new for Pep! Guardiola wastes no time moving out of his Manchester apartment DAYS BEFORE his Man City swansong - with outgoing boss confirming Sunday will be his final game Harry Maguire and Phil Foden are in despite Thomas Tuchel's omission but there is no place for an Arsenal title-winner - so, who makes Daily Mail Sport readers' England World Cup squad? Pep Guardiola's daughter gives never-before-seen insight into departing Man City boss behind the scenes - from swigging vodka in a nightclub to chanting in his office with Jack Grealish Harry Maguire is AXED from England's 26-man World Cup squad with his furious mum 'absolutely disgusted' by Thomas Tuchel's decision - with German making some other notable omissions World Cup jet lag REVEALED: Unlucky debutants set to rack up eyewatering 10,000km... while one pampered host nation doesn't have to go far at all! Moment Prince William hugs fan as he celebrates 'surreal' Villa win in the stands - and jokes he'll join them 'dancing in the fountains'   Cristian Romero will NOT attend Tottenham's pivotal relegation clash against Everton - with Spurs captain in Argentina to support boyhood club Belgrano in their championship final   Revealed: 'Deplorable' Southampton LIED and claimed they did not record rivals' training in spying hearing, until evidence was uncovered - and manager admitted his key role Arsenal win the Premier League title! Mikel Arteta's men end 22-year wait after Man City DRAW in Pep Guardiola's penultimate game - as newly-crowned champions celebrate at their training ground Cristiano Ronaldo FINALLY wins the Saudi Pro League as family join Al-Nassr star on the pitch to celebrate long-awaited title 'I told you': Declan Rice references infamous three-word message as he celebrates Arsenal's Premier League title triumph on social media - as Jurrien Timber shares behind the scenes of training ground party Arsenal fans paint north London red as they celebrate first Premier League win in 22 years Sir Keir Starmer puts his party issues to one side as the Prime Minister celebrates Arsenal's first Premier League title win in 22 years Southampton EXPELLED from Championship play-off final over Spygate scandal - with Middlesbrough to face Hull in £200m Premier League promotion showdown LIV Golf 'laying the groundwork for BANKRUPTCY': Bombshell report claims end of sport's civil war is near as Saudis prepare to pull funding Aryna Sabalenka defends her 'ugly' on-court outbursts and opens up on grieving ex-boyfriend's apparent suicide in emotional Vogue interview Man United stars and their WAGs head for a night out at plate-smashing Greek bar to celebrate last home game of season - but with one player missing OGC Nice ultras storm the pitch in ugly scenes after the Ineos-owned side are condemned to Ligue 1 relegation play-off Spanish Moto GP rider is taken to hospital after brutal crash sees him thrown into a wall after rival lost power on the straight Gary Neville tells referee Michael Salisbury he's had an 'absolute SHOCKER' as official refuses to overturn on-field decision after VAR recommended Man United's goal be disallowed for handball Xabi Alonso is confirmed as Chelsea's new manager on four-year contract - becoming the first Blues boss in 13 YEARS not to be named head coach as club owners take new approach with Liverpool icon Police demand 'urgent' talks with Celtic after fans pelt cops with 'missiles and glass bottles' during violent and hostile title celebrations - as arrests are confirmed in strongly-worded statement Cristiano Ronaldo cuts heartbroken figure after Al-Nassr suffer crushing defeat in AFC Champions League Two final... as icon REFUSES to collect runners-up medal following another missed trophy opportunity The touching moment Paulie Malignaggi walks out in honour of Ricky Hatton in Manchester alongside son Campbell Strippers target F1 fans with strike for better pay just before Grand Prix The Love Island heartthrob, 34, who is retiring as a professional athlete! Ovie Soko ends his basketball career today - but will he finish on a high at the O2? NBA MVP revealed: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander crowned back-to-back winner after another remarkable season Remarkable moment UFC icon Ronda Rousey, 39, comes out of retirement to make history with 17-SECOND win live on Netflix Golf star becomes instant fan favorite after stopping to smoke a cigarette with crowd in the middle of the PGA Championship: 'Man of the people' Swiss nightclub fire footballer, 19, shows off scars with girlfriend he saved from deadly blaze - as couple make first public appearance since surviving ordeal Revealed: Prince William's cheeky message for Pep Guardiola as Man City boss celebrates winning his 20TH major trophy since joining the club Hearts condemn ugly scenes that saw Celtic fans ATTACK their players: Scottish club call for 'the strongest action possible' with police investigating It's heartbreak for Hearts! Celtic snatch 3-1 victory with two late goals as sad and idiotic scenes mar thrilling Scottish Premiership finale after Derek McInnes' side are cruelly denied first title in 66 YEARS Celtic fans ATTACK Hearts players during wild pitch invasion after winning the league - with skipper Lawrence Shankland punched in shocking scenes Meet the Premier League footballer-turned-musician! Injury-plagued star, 30, once scored an Old Trafford winner but is now working on a R&B album and has raised funds for Jannik Sinner has fans fearing for his health after VOMITING on court at the Italian Open - before Daniil Medvedev accuses tennis ace of getting 'special treatment' as match is suspended Is this the FASTEST knockout in history? Boxer seals victory inside seconds with just ONE punch MMA star dead at 30 after heroically saving four teenagers from drowning in valiant final act Jesse Lingard changes his NAME in Brazil: Ex-Man United and England star adopts his nickname 'J Lingz' on the back of his shirt Former Premier League star held at knife point in Portugal during robbery at family home - as intruder escapes with £130,000-worth of jewellery