Enzo Maresca hints at potential rest for Erling Haaland

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has indicated that star striker Erling Haaland could be rested in the near future. Despite a prolific start to the season with 10 goals in nine appearances, the 26-year-old forward has faced a demanding workload, including a busy summer and recent international duties with Norway.

Maresca noted that the issue of fatigue extends beyond just Haaland, as several key members of his squad have been playing continuously for both club and country. The manager is looking to prevent potential injuries by managing player minutes more effectively during the upcoming busy schedule.

Balancing the squad

"At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off."

Enzo Maresca

The City boss confirmed that the decision on whether Haaland features against Ipswich Town this weekend remains open. Alongside Haaland, other players such as Ruben Dias, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Guehi, and Manuel Akanji are also being monitored closely to ensure they have adequate recovery time.

Meanwhile, Maresca praised young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for his impact on the team. The manager emphasized that when Bouaddi is on the pitch, the overall performance of his teammates tends to improve, marking him as a significant option for future tactical setups.

"When he is on the pitch, all the players around him improve."

Enzo Maresca

City currently sit at the top of the Premier League with a perfect record. While the team prepares for their upcoming home clash with Ipswich and a Champions League fixture against AEK Athens, Maresca remains focused on finding the right balance to maintain their competitive edge.