Manchester City bolstered their squad during the summer transfer window. In terms of first-team signings, City brought in Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye, Allan and Gerónimo Rulli. Each player will be a vital player for Enzo Maresca and in the new era that is underway for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. By signing Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi, City have signed three of the most highly sought after midfielders on the market. Each player has spoken on why they were so eager to sign for Manchester City and their statements show the force that City have become and why players are eager to sign for the club.
Three key signings that Manchester City have made have spoken on why they wanted to move to the club.
Every player that Manchester City signed this summer has shared their delight at joining England’s most dominant force since 2008. In the case of Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez, their words are telling as they described why they were so excited to join Manchester City.
After signing for City from Nottingham Forest, Elliot Anderson explained that it is a privilege to be tasked with carrying on Manchester City’s success. He explained: “From the outside looking in, City are a club that treats its players well and provides the perfect environment to excel. The success they have had and the way they have played the game in the last 10 to 15 years has been extraordinary. It’s a privilege to be given the chance to be part of that.”
Moroccan midfield sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi revealed that it was a dream come true to sign for Manchester City. He explained that joining a club that is built to win also was an opportunity he craved. Bouaddi explained: “Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world. It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player. I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be and reach the top of the game.”
“I’ve watched City for many years, and I love their style of play. City always try and play quality football. And they have shown they are winners – this club feels like it’s built to win.“
Enzo Fernandez is eager to carry on City’s recent tradition.
After completing his move from Chelsea to Manchester City, Enzo Fernandez knows that City are a club that must be challenging for trophies. He explained: “Manchester City have to win every trophy they compete for. In every competition we play in, we have to compete and win, because this club’s history demands that.”
The Argentinian midfielder added that he is excited by the challenge of winning trophies at City. He added: “It’s a club that has won a lot in recent years. It’s a club that is making history in football and, for me, it’s a huge challenge.”
“To be able to come here, help the club and keep winning things together, that has been my goal since they called me: to come to this club knowing we are going to win many trophies together.”
Proper City 🤩🩵 pic.twitter.com/TfRTZOnPrw
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 1, 2026
What City have built is the attraction for players and it is now on the new players at the club to forge their own legacy.
Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini kicked the Manchester City winning machine into gear. The pair both won the Premier League as City managers. Mancini also led City to FA Cup glory. Pellegrini also won the Carabao Cup during his time as City manager. They laid the platform for Pep Guardiola to build upon. Guardiola did exactly that as he guided his team to 22 trophies during his decade in charge. Guardiola stood down from his post at the end of last season. Now Enzo Maresca is tasked with keeping the City winning machine running.
What Manchester City have become is an attraction for players. They are one of the best run clubs in world football. The players want for nothing and they are provided with the ideal environment to reach their peak. This setting has seen City establish themselves as a powerhouse. The results since 2008 speak for themselves in terms of the trophies won and the manner in which they were claimed.
Now a new era is underway at City. The expectation is to carry on what has preceded it. Enzo Maresca knows this. Manchester City’s new signings are excited by this challenge. It is part of what has attracted them to City. They have said it themselves. Modern-day players have grown up seeing City win trophies. Now they want to follow in City’s past heroes’ footsteps.
Final thoughts.
The challenge is ahead of this new-look Manchester City squad. They, and Enzo Maresca, are tasked with continuing on City’s recent winning tradition. Continuing that tradition in an elite environment is the attraction of signing for Manchester City. Forging their own winning legacy is the goal of this City squad. Whether or not they can get there will be a journey worth tracking. It won’t be a lack of determination or drive that holds this City team back. The words of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson illustrate this.
Very true indeed and I wonder when the media will say they were all having a “Pop” at their previous Clubs. What elements of the media and football don’t like is to ADMIT that we are one of the 4 biggest Clubs in the World and the BIGGEST in the UK.
What used to be the domain of UTD and Liverpool, who are now nowhere near our standard in EVERYTHING.
I agree Jasper, that City are one of the best run clubs in the world. It’s not only the current players that have good things to say about City , but also past players, Laporte and Otamendi spring to mind amongst many others.
Another thing, is the impact of all these player arrivals on the infamous 115. Players and their agents are not stupid, well most anyway !!, Surely City must have convinced these people that there is nothing to worry about because there appears to be nothing in their contracts that relate to the charges.
I have always said about those so called “charges” that if the PL has enough proof of at least 95% beyond reasonable doubt the case would have been over 18 months ago,
The PL used circumstantial evidence from 10 year old hacked emails obtained by a convicted fraudster (not the most reliable scource and heresay).The Powerful Team of Lawyers City assembled will have briefed them on how well the case had been presented after the hearing was closed. If the Panel deviated from using “facts” as opposed to “supposition” then it would be off to the High Court for a Judicial Review where hard copy bank statements beats “probability” and “supposition” any day. The Club have no worries and nor do I.
City’s first manager of the current regime always seems to get forgotten – Mark Hughes. OK he wasn’t the elite manager City wanted, but quite a few players that thrived under Mancini, Pellegrini and Pep arrived then. His win rate was higher than most previous managers.
He did sign Sir Vincent from Hamburg for £6m and I think Zaba too. His win rate was higher than Alan Ball but that was not too difficult. The new owners could see that he was not the way forward and his record since has proved why.
I agree he was not the way forward, but Zaba did arrive when he was manager, but also players like De Jong, Barry, Tevez and Lescott, that formed the basis of Mancini’s teams.
A good trip down memory lane and only 17 years ago!! Where have our lives gone as this seems like yesterday!