Gianluigi Donnarumma interview

Gianluigi Donnarumma has rejected the suggestion that City are facing a transition season, insisting the objective remains to win despite the significant changes made at the Etihad this summer.

Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Rodri were among those to leave, with Enzo Maresca succeeding Guardiola as manager, but Donnarumma told Sky Sports at the club’s training ground that expectations have not changed.

Donnarumma rejects transition year concept at City

Asked whether City’s overhaul made this a transition season, Donnarumma was unequivocal.

“I don’t really like the word ‘transition.’ The club’s objective is to win. This team’s objective is to win. We’ll certainly give everything we can to achieve that.”

City have started the Premier League season with four wins from four, the latest a 1-0 derby victory at Manchester United despite playing much of the game with 10 men following Phil Foden’s red card.

For Donnarumma, the manner of that victory said plenty about the new-look City.

“This is who we are. This is our team. This is City.”

Sky Sports interview details and Donnarumma comments

Donnarumma accepts that winning trophies cannot be guaranteed, but there will be no lowering of expectations during Maresca’s first season.

“We could reach the end of the season having won something, or having won nothing. But what’s important is having a winning mentality, going out there and trying to win everything we possibly can.”

City will compete in the Premier League, Champions League and both domestic cups, and Donnarumma says the approach will be the same in each competition.

“It’s important to go into every game trying to win it. Certainly, our objective will be to win, but there are other teams too.”

Leadership group and integration of summer signings

Donnarumma is part of City’s new leadership group alongside Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Marc Guehi, with the structure outlined in our report on Maresca’s new captaincy set-up.

He also spoke about City’s summer arrivals, with Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Ilimian Ndiaye among those adjusting to life at the Etihad.

“It’s not easy at the beginning when you move to a new club, a new organisation, a new city. But they’re adapting well, and we’re making them feel comfortable.