“One or two of them” – Newly appointed Championship manager eying Manchester City loan signings

Enzo Maresca is considering making approaches to sign some Manchester City players on loan, after becoming the new manager at Leicester City.

The 43 year-old, who left Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium to become head coach at Leicester City last week, replaces Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium.

Maresca will be tasked with bringing Leicester back to the top-flight, after the Foxes were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season after a dismal campaign.

The Italian has had one previous first-team managerial job, but boasts an impressive portfolio, having worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham United.

Maresca played for Juventus, Sevilla, Fiorentina and Olympiacos and also managed the Manchester City EDS team to the Premier League 2 title in 2020.

The new Leicester manager’s work with the City academy and contacts at the Etihad Stadium could also help the Foxes’ promotion hopes, as Maresca seeks to add to his squad ahead of the new campaign in August.

Leicester are facing a major exodus as a result of relegation, with James Maddison and Harvey Barnes expected to be sold and several first-team players to be released as free agents.

The 43 year-old could therefore look to complete some signings from the City Football Academy, with an array of young talent making temporary moves throughout the English football pyramid every season.

James McAtee and Tommy Doyle both enjoyed a spectacular season at Sheffield United, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis helped Vincent Kompany’s Burnley achieve promotion and goalkeeper James Trafford had an incredible campaign with Bolton.

Cole Palmer is amongst a list of City players who could go out on loan, while Carlos Borges, who had 47 direct goal involvements last season, has also been linked with an exit for regular first-team minutes.

Speaking with The Telegraph following his appointment at the King Power, Maresca admitted that he could look to sign some players from Manchester City this summer.

“One or two of them would do us nicely,” he said.

“City really do have a lot of young players that I know very well, having worked with them at under-23 level and coached there this season.

“Top quality players, but it wouldn’t be right to mention any names just at the moment because the lads will be away on holiday and maybe thinking about what’s next for them.”