Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has revealed that several members of his squad were eager for updates on Enzo Fernandez's transfer status during the closing days of the summer window, underlining the excitement surrounding the Argentine's arrival at the Etihad Stadium.
Fernandez completed his move from Chelsea on deadline day in a deal worth a joint-British record £125m, reuniting with Maresca, who previously managed him at Stamford Bridge. The 25-year-old World Cup and Club World Cup winner is set to be available for City's Premier League clash with newly promoted Coventry City this weekend, with Maresca confirming his new midfielder is prepared to make his debut.
"I know Enzo quite well and I know what he can bring to the team," Maresca said. "He is a winner - a winner's mentality and knows how to win [after] the World Cup, Club World Cup."
The Italian coach explained that Fernandez's reputation within the dressing room had generated significant anticipation among City's players in the days leading up to the transfer's completion. "I can promise you that in the last four or five days four or five players from the squad were asking if he is coming or not because they want him to be with us," Maresca said. "It's very important that he is with us and we are 100% happy with that."
Despite having captained Chelsea under Maresca, Fernandez will not inherit the captaincy at City. Maresca confirmed that Ruben Dias has been appointed as the club's new skipper, taking over from Bernardo Silva, who left in the summer. Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma have also been included in the leadership group.
Speaking in an in-house interview on Thursday, Fernandez said he had long "dreamed of being at a club as big as City," a comment that was widely interpreted as a subtle dig at his former employers. His desire to leave Chelsea had reportedly been building since the start of the year, and not even discussions with new Blues manager Xabi Alonso during the summer could persuade him to stay.
Alonso addressed Fernandez's exit, striking a diplomatic tone about the player's departure. "In football many things happen. With Enzo we have had conversations and always with respect," Alonso said. "What he has done for the club has been great, but now it's time to move forward. We have players with quality in every position and now we are ready to go."
Fernandez's arrival was the centerpiece of a record-breaking transfer window for Manchester City, who spent an unprecedented £458m on incoming players. That outlay included £327m dedicated to overhauling the midfield, with Fernandez joined by new signings Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. City also strengthened their wide options with the additions of Iliman Ndiaye and Allan, while goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli was brought in as backup. The club offset much of this spending by recouping more than £300m through player sales.
Maresca praised the club's hierarchy for their efforts in assembling the squad. "I am very happy for the effort from the ownership, [chairman] Khaldoon [Al Mubarak] and [director of football] Hugo [Viana]. Very happy," he said. "In the last days, Iliman and Enzo arrived, and now the squad is complete - it's finished. Now it is time to work."
Attention now turns to Saturday's Premier League fixture against Coventry City, where Fernandez could feature for the first time in sky-blue colors as Manchester City begin life with their revamped midfield.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.