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Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Rodri will have surgery on Monday, while also brushing aside talk that the Spaniard could leave Manchester City, saying “he will be back with us” once he has recovered.

The World Cup winner and Golden Ball recipient has been the subject of transfer links, after earlier in the year he opened the door to a possible return to Madrid.

Even so, his immediate priority is a minor back operation, which is expected to keep him out at the start of the Premier League season.

Speaking at his first press conference as City manager, Maresca said he is not concerned by the transfer speculation and made it clear that he wants to keep the midfielder for his first season in charge.

“First of all I have to say, that around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that,” Maresca said. “I think it is normal, also because they won the World Cup, because he is one of the best players.

“I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player. But now, surgery on Monday. He needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us.”

Maresca did accept that City still have “a few things to do” in the transfer window, but he would not be drawn into discussion over the futures of Jack Grealish and James Trafford.

When asked about his own exit from Chelsea, he said he had “nothing to add” after the Blues effectively blamed his sudden resignation for their poor 2025/26 season, shortly before he joined City.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca (PA) (PA Wire)

Maresca has taken over from Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium after the Catalan stepped down at the end of last season, bringing to a close a glittering 10-year spell that delivered 20 trophies.

“I want to say it is a privilege because the reason why the club decided to go for me, that is a privilege,” said Maresca, who also paid tribute to the late Kevin Keegan.

“I have said many times, I consider Pep the best coach in the world in the last 20-25 years. It is a challenge. It is nice, it is a privilege.

“Also the history of the manager with many years in the same club, they struggle a bit. Sir Alex [Ferguson], Arsene [Wenger]. But it is also a challenge to do the right things.”

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