- Enzo Maresca is set to be appointed by Man City
- He is likely to prefer James Trafford’s playing style
- Gianluigi Donnarumma’s future is therefore uncertain
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been a comfortable first choice starter under Pep Guardiola, but this might not be the case when Enzo Maresca takes charge.
When Man City signed James Trafford, it looked like he would be the goalkeeper to follow in Ederson’s footsteps.
However, after only three Premier League appearances for the club, he was replaced by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian has started every other league match, except for the final game of the season. As a result, Trafford has been linked with a Man City exit.
Gianluigi Donnarumma could be the one in trouble
According to The Athletic journalist Sam Lee, Maresca likes a shot-stopper who can play with the ball at his feet, and who rarely kicks long balls.
Trafford is very much aligned with this preference, but Donnarumma often opts to hoof the ball up the pitch.
Therefore, despite the rumours regarding the England international, it could be Donnarumma whose position at the Citizens comes under threat.
How likely is Donnarumma to leave Man City?
After a season where Donnarumma has started more often than not, it seems unlikely that he could leave City this summer.
However, this is a world class goalkeeper who has won the Champions League. He is not going to stand by and play as someone else’s understudy.
Therefore, if the 27-year-old does find himself frequently on the bench, he could push for a move some time in the near future.
Pep Guardiola liked building attacks from the back
Part of the reason Man City are set to appoint Maresca is because of the way his style is so similar to Guardiola’s.
He too liked to see attacking moves begin in the defensive line, and yet Donnarumma was still selected to start in the Premier League.
So even though Maresca is coming in, that does not mean the Italian will not start for sure, meaning his potential exit is very much speculation at this point.
