--- title: "Man City news: Semenyo, Maresca, Donnarumma and Reijnders" canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/09/24/man-city-news-semenyo-maresca-donnarumma-reijnders/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Gary Gowers" section: "Man City News" published: "2026-09-24T18:30:00Z" modified: "2026-09-24T18:30:00Z" --- # Man City news: Semenyo, Maresca, Donnarumma and Reijnders **[City](https://readmancity.com/) have headed into the international break with five Premier League wins from five, but Thursday has still brought plenty of news around the Etihad.** Antoine Semenyo, Enzo Maresca and Gianluigi Donnarumma have all been nominated for Premier League awards, while former City midfielders Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri have been discussing very different aspects of their time at the club. Elsewhere, Hugo Viana has explained more about City’s recruitment operation, Ayyoub Bouaddi’s unusual route to Manchester has come under the spotlight, and another academy player has crossed the city to join Manchester United. ## Semenyo, Maresca and Donnarumma up for awards Semenyo has been shortlisted for September’s Premier League Player of the Month award after contributing two goals and two assists during City’s three league victories. The Ghana international created Erling Haaland’s winner against Coventry City and then scored twice and set up Rayan Cherki in the 5-3 victory over Sunderland. He also played the full game as City beat Manchester United 1-0 despite spending more than an hour with 10 men. Maresca is one of three nominees for Manager of the Month after City won all three of their September league games, extending their perfect start to five matches. Donnarumma completes City’s trio of nominees. His late stop from Bryan Mbeumo in the derby at Old Trafford has been shortlisted for Save of the Month. ## Reijnders makes frank admission over City exit Tijjani Reijnders has spoken openly about the financial attraction behind his £52m move from City to Al Qadsiah in August. Asked by NOS whether he was a “money grabber”, the Dutch midfielder replied: “I can’t deny that.” Reijnders said the move could provide financial security for future generations of his family, although he also explained that money wasn’t his only reason for leaving. The midfielder spent one season at City, making 50 appearances and registering seven goals and eight assists. [Read Reijnders’ full explanation of his decision to leave City.](https://readmancity.com/2026/09/23/tijjani-reijnders-man-city-al-qadsiah-transfer-interview/) ## Rodri looks back on City’s Champions League breakthrough Rodri’s reflections on scoring City’s Champions League-winning goal in 2023 have resurfaced following his summer move to Barcelona. The midfielder described winning the competition as a dream City had been pursuing for years and called the club’s first Champions League triumph “the climax of the process”. Rodri scored the only goal against Inter Milan in Istanbul as Pep Guardiola’s side completed the Treble. He left City this summer after 298 appearances and 14 major trophies. ## Viana explains City’s recruitment approach Hugo Viana has offered more detail on how City use data alongside their scouting network when identifying potential signings. The club can search for specific types of player depending on the characteristics required for a position. Full-backs, for example, can be separated into different profiles according to how they are expected to play. Viana stressed that City’s scouts and other specialists remain central to the process before a decision is made on whether to pursue a player. Andrea Cambiaso was previously identified as a possible option without City ultimately making a move, while Jeremy Doku was signed in 2023 when Guardiola wanted to add a more direct winger to his squad. ## Bouaddi’s unusual route to the Etihad Ayyoub Bouaddi’s story has also been among our features on Thursday. The 18-year-old studied mathematics alongside his football development at Lille, completed his French baccalaureate with high honours a year early and won a national public-speaking competition for academy players at the Elysee Palace. He was playing Champions League football at 17 before representing Morocco at this summer’s World Cup. City signed Bouaddi from Lille in August in a deal initially worth £81.4m. Viana has since revealed the midfielder had been a long-term target for the club. ## Cassim crosses Manchester to join United Karim Cassim has completed a move from City’s academy to Manchester United after the transfer received Premier League approval. The 17-year-old midfielder represented City at Under-18 level and came off the bench during last season’s FA Youth Cup semi-final victory over Blackburn Rovers. Cassim was also an unused substitute when City beat United 2-1 in the final at the Joie Stadium in May. He follows David Eze in moving from City’s academy to United this summer. City’s senior players now head away on international duty before Maresca’s side return to Premier League action next month. [***LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments***](https://dave.sport/live/premier-league-2026-2027-season-updates/)