Manchester City supporters have delivered a blunt verdict on Enzo Maresca’s decision to use Marc Guehi in midfield, with many fans questioning why a natural central defender was selected ahead of an established midfielder.
Maresca’s experiment attracted plenty of attention during Manchester City’s dramatic victory over Bournemouth. The new City boss explained after the match that he had considered Guehi capable of playing in midfield because of his technical qualities and tactical intelligence.
However, while Maresca was encouraged by what he saw, a significant section of the Manchester City fanbase was far less convinced.
Enzo Maresca on why he started @MarcGuehi13 in midfield: “Sometimes you visualise things; I know Marc from [Crystal] Palace and always thought he could play midfielder because he’s very good. So we tried in the first two days as a central defender stepping [up], and then tried in…
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 23, 2026
The reaction to City Xtra’s post on X showed just how divided supporters are about the decision. Some fans accepted the tactical experiment, but many others immediately focused on what it could mean for Nico Gonzalez and the balance of the team.
Man City fans question Marc Guehi midfield decision
Maresca explained that he had known Guehi since the defender’s time at Crystal Palace and had always believed he possessed the qualities necessary to operate in midfield.
The Manchester City manager revealed that the coaching staff initially experimented with Guehi stepping forward from central defence before eventually trying him as a conventional midfielder during preparations for Bournemouth.
Maresca believed the experiment worked.
“I think it was quite good,” the City boss said when explaining the thinking behind the decision.
That assessment, however, did not convince everyone.
One supporter, Lucas de Sousa, highlighted what he believed was the biggest tactical concern. He argued that using Guehi in midfield could leave the defence more exposed, particularly when Ruben Dias is also involved.
His argument was simple: if Manchester City already have Nico Gonzalez available as a specialist midfielder, why move a centre-back into that position?
That question was echoed throughout the reaction.
Another supporter was considerably more direct, writing: “He didn’t play that role good at all.”
The comment attracted hundreds of reactions, reflecting the growing frustration among fans who felt Guehi should remain in his natural defensive position.
“Don’t try it again” – supporters make their feelings clear
The strongest theme across the reactions was that many Manchester City fans simply do not want to see the experiment repeated.
One supporter wrote: “Don’t try it again.”
Another responded: “Hopefully he never does that again lol.”
A further fan went even further, writing: “Yhhhhh….. don’t try dat sh*t again.”
The reaction was not necessarily a rejection of Guehi as a player. Instead, it appeared to be a concern about whether Manchester City need to complicate their midfield options when they already have recognised players capable of performing there.
That distinction is important.
Guehi may have impressed Maresca during training, but supporters are looking at the wider squad structure. For many, the question is not whether the England international can play midfield.
It is whether he should.
Nico Gonzalez becomes central to the debate
Perhaps the most interesting part of the fan reaction was the focus on Nico Gonzalez.
The midfielder’s name appeared repeatedly because supporters could not understand why Manchester City would use a centre-back in defensive midfield while a natural midfielder remained available.
One particularly popular comment questioned what the decision means for Nico.
The supporter admitted that he likes Gonzalez but suggested the Spaniard could begin looking for another club if Maresca continues to prefer a centre-back in midfield.
The comment received more than 1,600 reactions, making it one of the most prominent responses to the discussion.
That tells its own story.
There is clearly concern among some supporters that Gonzalez may not be receiving the trust they expected under Maresca.
Manchester City invested in midfield options because of the importance of controlling games through the centre of the pitch. Therefore, seeing Guehi selected in that position naturally raises questions about squad hierarchy.
For supporters, it is difficult to understand why a midfielder should remain on the bench while a defender is asked to perform his role.
Some fans are worried about Premier League opposition
Another important criticism concerns the level of opposition.
A tactical experiment against Bournemouth may be one thing. Trying the same system against one of the Premier League’s strongest teams could be an entirely different challenge.
One Manchester City supporter argued that Maresca cannot afford to “tinker” in the Premier League, particularly against stronger opposition.
The concern is straightforward.
Manchester City often dominate possession, but their structure also depends on maintaining defensive security when possession is lost. Moving a central defender into midfield can change the team’s defensive shape.
If the experiment works, Maresca can be praised for identifying another tactical option.
If it fails against an elite opponent, however, the decision could become much harder to defend.
That is why some supporters are already warning the manager against repeating the experiment in high-pressure matches.
Is Maresca trying to create another position?
Not every reaction was completely negative.
Some supporters appeared willing to give Maresca time to develop his ideas.
There is a long tradition of Manchester City managers developing players into different positions. Pep Guardiola famously transformed several players throughout his reign, creating tactical solutions that initially appeared unusual.
One supporter even compared the Guehi experiment to previous positional transformations, suggesting that City have a history of converting defenders into midfielders.
Another fan jokingly described Maresca’s approach as “Pep Pro Max Ultra!”
The joke captures something important about the current situation.
Maresca inherited a squad that has been built around tactical flexibility. He is now trying to put his own ideas into the team while also finding solutions to problems that may not have obvious answers.
Using Guehi in midfield could therefore be part of a bigger tactical project rather than a one-off gamble.
Fans also question other selection decisions
Interestingly, the discussion did not remain focused solely on Guehi.
Some supporters questioned other selection choices made by Maresca.
One fan responded by asking why Rico Lewis had started, suggesting that the debate over Guehi was part of a wider frustration with some of the manager’s tactical decisions.
Another supporter argued that the club already has several young players who could potentially be developed into long-term solutions.
That view reflects the expectations surrounding Manchester City’s squad.
Supporters do not simply want short-term fixes. They also want to see the club develop its young talent and make the most of its existing players.
With Maresca now in charge, every tactical decision is being examined closely.
“We’re gonna see it again”
Despite the criticism, one fan offered a prediction that could worry those hoping the experiment was a one-off.
“We’re gonna see it again.”
That possibility could become one of the most interesting storylines of Maresca’s early Manchester City reign.
If Guehi continues to train in midfield and performs well, the manager will have little reason to abandon the idea.
The bigger question is how the rest of the midfield reacts.
Nico Gonzalez, in particular, could find himself under increasing pressure to prove that he deserves to be the first-choice option in his position.
At the same time, Guehi’s versatility could become a major weapon for City. A player capable of moving between defence and midfield gives Maresca additional tactical flexibility, particularly during matches when Manchester City need to change shape.
Manchester City fans will judge the experiment by results
Ultimately, football supporters tend to forgive unusual tactics when they produce results.
Manchester City beat Bournemouth, and that gives Maresca some protection from the criticism.
Had the result gone the other way, the conversation around Guehi’s midfield role would probably have been much harsher.
The new City manager is still building his identity at the club. He will inevitably make decisions that surprise supporters, especially during the early stages of his tenure.
The Guehi experiment may eventually prove to be one of his smartest tactical ideas.
Equally, it could become a short-lived experiment that disappears after one match.
For now, however, Manchester City fans appear to have delivered a clear warning.
They want Maresca to be careful.
The reactions ranged from confusion to outright frustration, with repeated calls for the manager not to repeat the experiment. The biggest concern remains the same: if Nico Gonzalez is available, why should a centre-back be playing ahead of him in midfield?
Maresca has his answer.
He believes Guehi has the qualities to succeed there.
Now, he must convince the supporters.
And that may require more than one good performance.
