Mariska: We Deserve the Win, Those Wanting Transfers Must Wait

Enzo Mariska, the team's head coach, expressed his happiness with the 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in the opening round of the Premier League, confirming that his team deserved to secure the match earlier.

Mariska said: "I am happy with the win. We deserved to settle the match early because we controlled the game and created chances. Before their goal, we had three or four clear opportunities, but we wasted them, and then we conceded a goal, making things more complicated. But overall, I believe we deserved to win the match."

The coach spoke about the challenges of dealing with players who joined the team late, explaining: "Today we had four or five players who joined very late, just 10 days ago, and it still feels like a pre-season period for them. Haaland, Anderson, Jihye, and Nico Aurélien are among them, which complicates things. But they have put in a tremendous effort to help the team."

Regarding the decision to deploy Marc Guehi in midfield, Marisca explained: "Sometimes you envision a player in a certain position. I've known Marc since he was at Crystal Palace, and I've always believed he could play in midfield because he's a good player. In the first two days, we tried him as a center-back moving into midfield, then in the last two days, we tested him as a direct midfielder, and I think he performed brilliantly."

He added: "It's a solution for this match, and I don't know if he will succeed in the next game, but in the future when I need him there, I know he will play well."

Mariska stressed the importance of substitutes and their impact on matches, saying: "We need 11 players to start in the right way, then we need five other changes to come onto the pitch in the right way. The changes today were very good."

Regarding the possibility of Manchester City signing Ayoub Bouaddi, Mariska said: "I haven't met with the management yet; perhaps you have more news than I do. If you want new signings, wait, we still have 8 days until the end of the transfer window."

The coach praised Rayan Cherki's performance, saying: "I love him, and I told him after the match that he has an amazing impact. This is exactly what a player should do when they don't start, like Rayan did today, to be ready, come on the pitch, and try to give their best."

Mariska touched on the personality of Cherki, explaining: "Rayan Cherki is very straightforward and clear; if he’s not happy, he shows it. If he’s next to me and unhappy, you will all notice it, and he will do anything to show everyone that he is dissatisfied. I know he wasn’t happy today because he didn’t start, but in the end, I’m here and I have to make some decisions."

Discussing Elliott Anderson's start with the team, Mariska said: "He was very good both on and off the ball, and I have a feeling he will develop and become better over time. For him, it's like a pre-season because he joined just 10 days ago, and I feel he will be an important player for this club in the future."