Manchester City captain Rúben Dias says the club’s new signings have arrived “desperate to win” and are embracing Enzo Maresca’s ideas as City begin a new era after a summer of extensive change. Dias has been appointed captain by Maresca and believes the blend of experienced serial winners and ambitious arrivals can keep the club competing for the biggest trophies.
City spent a Premier League-record £458 million during the summer window, rebuilding key areas of the squad after several long-serving players departed. The headline additions included Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for £125 million, Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million and Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for around £86 million. The club also signed Iliman Ndiaye, Allan, goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, Mathys Detourbet, Jeremy Monga and Pierce Charles.
Dias said the scale of change had not diluted City’s standards. “So many people have left and so many winners have left, and now new people have joined with a lot of ambition and people that are desperate to win, and that is also what makes the club keep on going,” he told The Football Interview.
The Portugal international highlighted the importance of players who understand City’s existing standards, including Enzo Fernández, while welcoming the hunger of those still seeking their first major achievements at the club. “Others, Enzo included, that have been here and have won so much here and can very clearly point the way of how to do it and the things that are the most important and undeniable,” Dias said. “But then as well, there is the ambition from us that are here and still want to be here and keep on winning. They are joining and full of ambition and with all the dreams in the world. The mix of these makes it work.”
Dias also endorsed Maresca’s early impact, saying the squad is “buying into the idea” of the former Chelsea manager. Maresca arrived in June to replace Pep Guardiola and has quickly been tasked with integrating an expensive, reshaped group while maintaining the competitive intensity that defined the previous era.
The early signs have been positive on the pitch. City began their Premier League season with three consecutive wins, including a 1–0 victory over promoted Coventry City in which Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal. Fernández and Ndiaye made their debuts in that match, while Anderson started in midfield.
For Dias, the captaincy has not altered his approach. “In terms of the role I have, it goes down to trying to be the best version of yourself, and in terms of that, nothing has changed,” he said. The 29-year-old added that he remains motivated by the prospect of maintaining elite standards for years rather than simply reflecting on past success.
City’s spending has raised expectations immediately, particularly because Fernández and Anderson both arrived for fees above the club’s former transfer record of £100 million for Jack Grealish. But Dias’ message is that the investment is intended not merely to refresh the squad, but to preserve the ruthless winning culture built at the Etihad.
