Maresca Backs Marc Guéhi as Future Manchester City Captain
Enzo Maresca believes Marc Guéhi can become Manchester City captain, identifying the England centre-back as one of the club’s four current leaders despite the defender’s own reluctance to label himself a leader.
Ruben Dias is City’s present armband holder, but Maresca has backed Guéhi to take on the role in time. The manager praised both the 25-year-old’s character and his understated authority within the squad.
Maresca sees captaincy potential
Maresca said Guéhi had quickly established himself as an important figure at the club.
“Marc is an outstanding person and a very humble one,” Maresca said. “He may not have viewed himself as a leader, but we certainly regard him as one.”
The City boss distinguished Guéhi from more vocal dressing-room figures, describing him as a quieter type of leader who nevertheless possesses the qualities required to lead the side.
- Guéhi captained Crystal Palace before leaving the club.
- He led Palace to their landmark FA Cup success in 2025.
- The defender completed his move to Manchester City in January.
- He became a regular in City’s back line under Pep Guardiola and has remained one under Maresca.
- Maresca has now included him among the club’s four captains and believes he could eventually succeed Dias as captain.
Guéhi focused on learning
Guéhi has played every minute of City’s Premier League and Champions League fixtures so far, giving Maresca a dependable presence as the club deals with the consequences of its guilty verdict over breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
Yet the England international said his rise at City had happened rapidly. He noted that people had spoken as if he had been at the club for years, even though he has only spent seven or eight months there.
Guéhi said he was thankful that others saw leadership in him, but stressed that his progress had depended on the people around him. His priority is to contribute to City’s pursuit of major honours.
“I do not really think of myself as a leader,” Guéhi said. “That is how other people see me, and I have huge respect for that. I am trying to be myself and set the right example now there is more attention on me.”
He added that leadership brings difficult details to master, but said he is enjoying the process of learning them as his career develops.
