Manchester City’s Maresca coy on Rodri future ahead of Community Shield
MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca remained tight-lipped about Rodri’s future on Friday amid speculation linking their Spain midfielder with a move to Barcelona, saying “anything can happen” before the transfer window closes. The uncertainty comes the morning after an apparent picture of Rodri traveling on a budget Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool went viral on social media, with the former Ballon d’Or winner spotted carrying a small suitcase bearing his name, national team flag and squad number. “First of all, we already said the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Premier League champions Arsenal in Cardiff. “I’ve just seen Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug, he looks good, so we’ll see what happens.” Maresca confirmed the World Cup winner is fit to return to training after undergoing back surgery at the end of July. Asked if he was aware of reports that Chelsea had set a Friday deadline for bids for the London club’s Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez and whether that meant City would be doing any transfer business in the next 24 hours, Maresca smiled and said City will not make any new signings on Friday. While talk of Rodri, a cornerstone of City’s success in recent seasons, potentially leaving the club has dominated the headlines, Maresca insisted his attention was on Sunday’s match rather than the transfer window. “For sure there are things we need to do. For now, how many, I don’t know.