Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City are rewriting the rules of modern football. In seven official games under his stewardship, they’ve won every match—seven straight—and not just through brute force or tactical perfection, but through an adaptability that forces opponents into a constant state of evolution. The latest proof came against Sunderland, where City’s midfield, particularly the Cherki-Fernandez duo, operated with a fluidity that exposed defensive vulnerabilities no rival has yet solved.
The weapon in question isn’t a single player, but a system. Cherki and Enzo Fernandez, both still finding their rhythm in their new roles, have begun to read the game with a precision that directly supports Elliot Anderson’s defensive duties. Anderson, often left isolated when City lose possession, now has a midfield that’s not just covering space but *dictating* it. The result? A team that doesn’t just recover possession—it does so in dangerous areas, turning defensive transitions into immediate threats. Against Sunderland, this wasn’t just a win; it was a masterclass in how possession-based football can be weaponized when midfielders like Cherki and Fernandez start dictating tempo from deep.
Yet the most striking development isn’t just their defensive resilience—it’s how quickly they’re adjusting. After a rocky start where Josko Gvardiol’s left-back positioning left City vulnerable, the team has begun to refine its shape. Gvardiol’s attacking contributions are now more consistent, but the real breakthrough has been in how Cherki and Fernandez are learning to *support* Anderson. When they do, City’s midfield becomes a three-man engine: one holding the line, two breaking it. The 1-0 victory over Manchester United was a perfect example—Fernandez’s progressive carries and Cherki’s ability to shield Anderson under pressure were the difference in a game that could have gone either way.
What makes this even more dangerous is the variety of their success. Seven wins in seven games, across different opponents and game states—from playing with 10 men to battling through defensive struggles—shows a team that’s not just learning, but *improving*. Liverpool’s 2019-20 Premier League triumph was built on a similar foundation of adaptability, but their midfield was anchored by veterans who couldn’t be replaced. City’s challenge is different: they’re not looking for like-for-like replacements for Rodri or Bernardo Silva, but rather players who can carve out their own identities. Cherki and Fernandez are doing just that, and their chemistry with Anderson is the foundation of a midfield that could be the most formidable in Europe by season’s end.
The next test will come when domestic football resumes, and City will face teams that have had weeks to study their patterns. But for now, the message is clear: Enzo Maresca’s side isn’t just winning—they’re building a model that rivals will struggle to counter. The question isn’t whether they’ll keep winning; it’s whether anyone can stop them.
