Manchester City have made a strong start to the 2026-27 season. Prior to their 4-2 loss to PSG, Enzo Maresca’s side had won eight consecutive matches in all competitions. It is clear to see that this new-look City side is beginning to click and grow together. However, due to the heavy fixture list and the importance of every match in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, it is difficult for Enzo Maresca to provide his key players with the rest that they need. But rest for Manchester City’s most important players is required at times so it is a major problem that Enzo Maresca had acknowledged.
Enzo Maresca knows that he will have to rest key players throughout the season.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged that Erling Haaland will need to be rested at some point in the near future. Haaland has carried a heavy workload for both club and country this season. Also, Haaland had a busy summer with Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, like many of his teammates. Maresca added it wasn’t just Haaland who will need to be rested on occasions this season. He explained, when talking to the media yesterday, ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town: “At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off.”
“We are thinking about this not just with Erling because we have players, unfortunately or fortunately, they are playing all the games with us and all the games with the international teams.“
“Elliot, Enzo, Marc, Erling, Rúben – so at some point we probably need to give them some rest.”
Manchester City do have depth in their squad which will be needed.
Juggling the fitness and fatigue of key players is an issue that Enzo Maresca will have to confront throughout his first season as Manchester City’s manager. Off the back of a busy summer for a host of City’s players, a close eye will have to be kept on the players’ fatigue levels. There is no doubt that this will occur and is already in progress now. It will be an ongoing process throughout this season. What Manchester City will not want is to lose key players such as Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias and others for extended periods.
To avoid this, Enzo Maresca will have to rotate his squad throughout the season. Fortunately, City do have the necessary squad depth to do this. Enzo Maresca will have to utilise his entire squad throughout the season. There isn’t an ideal period for Maresca to rest key players. Manchester City’s fixture list is relentless and there are no easy games. Instead, Maresca will have to trust his squad and continue to use clever substitutions as he has already this season. That will be a juggling act for Maresca, but it is one he is capable of putting together.
Enzo Maresca is fully aware that he will have to rest key players such as Erling Haaland throughout the season. That cannot be avoided. Luckily, he has a strong squad to call upon and hopefully this will be what helps Maresca give the rest to key players that is needed while continuing to push for results.