Manchester City may have made a winning start to the new Premier League campaign, but their dramatic victory over Bournemouth also highlighted why further additions are required before the transfer window closes.
The post-Pep Guardiola era began with Enzo Maresca‘s side securing a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, although they were forced to leave it incredibly late.
Marcus Tavernier put Bournemouth ahead during the first half and City remained behind until the 84th minute, when summer signing Marc Guehi headed home Rayan Cherki’s corner. Josko Gvardiol then completed the comeback in stoppage time, handing Maresca’s side three points. However, another of City’s major summer additions gave Maresca a reason for concern.
Elliot Anderson made his competitive City debut following his record £116m move from Nottingham Forest, however, the Englishman was unable to complete the 90 minutes after appearing to pick up a knock.
Even if the problem isn’t serious, it serves as a timely reminder of just how different City’s midfield looks compared to last season.
Rodri has left for Barcelona, while long-serving captain Bernardo Silva has also departed. Tijjani Reijnders has moved to Al-Qadsiah, whereas Nico Gonzalez is now closing in on a move to Newcastle United.
That has left Anderson carrying huge responsibility almost immediately after his arrival, but he’ll now be joined by another big-money arrival.
Man City agree deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Manchester City have reached an agreement with Lille to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Manchester City reach agreement with Lille to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi. Deal for 18yo LOSC midfielder worth €95m + €5m bonuses on 5+1yr contract. MCFC land Morocco int’l; key target following Rodri departure.
City will pay an initial €95m (£81.4m) for the 18-year-old, with another €5m (£4.3m) available in add-ons, potentially taking the total package to approximately £86m.
The fee will make him the most expensive teenage signing in Premier League history, beating the £58.9m local rivals Manchester United committed to signing Leny Yoro in 2024.
Bouaddi has been breaking records almost from the moment he entered senior football. The midfielder made his Lille first-team debut in 2023 and, at the time, became the youngest player ever to appear in a UEFA competition, featuring in the Conference League at just 16 years and three days old.
He also became one of the breakout performers of the 2026 World Cup with Morocco, starting five of their six matches as they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions France.
|
Bouaddi’s World Cup Stats |
Per 90 |
What it shows |
|---|---|---|
|
Tackles |
2.11 |
Regularly stepped in to challenge and disrupt opposition attacks. |
|
Interceptions |
0.47 |
Less reliant on interceptions, with his defensive work more focused on tackling and regaining loose balls. |
|
Ball recoveries |
4.92 |
Frequently helped Morocco regain control and recycle possession from midfield. |
|
Clearances |
1.41 |
Was willing to clear danger when Morocco were forced deeper. |
|
Ground duels |
8.20 |
He was heavily involved in physical contests despite being just 18. |
|
Ground duels won |
4.92 |
Won 60% of his ground duels, an impressive return for such a young midfielder. |
|
Aerial duels won |
0.23 |
Aerial dominance wasn’t a major part of his defensive contribution. |
|
Shots blocked |
0.23 |
Occasionally dropped into deeper areas to protect the defence. |
|
Dribbled past |
0.23 |
Particularly impressive — opponents rarely managed to beat him when taking him on. |
|
Fouls committed |
0.70 |
Defended aggressively without giving away many fouls. |
Bouaddi is capable of operating as a No.6 or in a more advanced midfield position, so should be able to play alongside Anderson rather than simply competing with City’s record signing.
That could be especially important given the experience City have lost, and replacing Rodri directly is an impossible task. Rather than finding an established superstar to simply take his position, City have invested heavily in two younger midfielders capable of developing into the core of Maresca’s team.
And who knows, despite spending £86m on Bouaddi and £116m on Anderson, that might not end City’s midfield recruitment.
Those at the Etihad have also been linked Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Roma midfielder Manu Kone, so they could be names to keep an eye on.
