“It’s healthy!” – Omar Marmoush issues verdict on Manchester City’s new summer signings | OneFootball

Omar Marmoush has praised Manchester City’s new summer recruits and the role they play in adding healthy competition to Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad.

The Egyptian international, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium earlier this year, has seemingly become an important figure within Pep Guardiola’s system. Having witnessed the club undergo significant changes, Marmoush has now spoken openly about the impact of the latest additions and how they are raising levels across the team.

Manchester City’s summer has already been defined by ambitious and widespread moves to bolster multiple positions, with Hugo Viana overseeing a recruitment drive that has brought both creativity and depth to Pep Guardiola’s side.

City’s activity in the transfer market comes at a time when the club is looking to bounce back strongly after last season’s struggles. Injuries and inconsistency left Guardiola’s men fighting for a top-four finish rather than silverware, and the arrival of fresh faces has been seen as a crucial reset ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

With stars such as Jack Grealish departing on loan and veterans like İlkay Gündoğan, Manuel Akanji, and Ederson facing uncertain futures, the onus is now on the new signings to refresh Manchester City’s approach.

It is within this context that Omar Marmoush’s new comments carry particular weight. With fresh competition across several positions, Guardiola has more flexibility, while also being able to rest key players without a significant drop in quality. For Marmoush, this competitive environment is not only natural but essential to City’s ambitions.

Speaking during a new interview with ManCity.com, Omar Marmoush has insisted upon the benefits of competition for places in Pep Guardiola’s side, off the back of an eight months that has seen plenty in the way of first-team recruitment.

“The competition is very important, it’s healthy,” the Egypt international insisted. “Whoever plays we want the team to be successful and if you come on from the bench, you give 100 per cent and it just pushes the level much higher in training.

“We always know someone is waiting for their place to play, it pushes you to be better. It’s healthy.”

Commenting on Manchester City’s new signings brought in so far during the ongoing summer market by sporting director Hugo Viana, Omar Marmoush said, “Since the first day in the training session, we’ve seen their qualities.

“[Rayan] Ait-Nouri is very good on the ball and is very strong defensively. Tijjani [Reijnders] is a box-to-box midfielder and has a big impact on the offensive side. Rayan Cherki has the quality in the tight spaces and has the creativeness.

“Of course, James [Trafford] had a really good game [vs Wolves] and helped save a good goal. We know their qualities and we’re very happy to have them. Hopefully, we can progress as a team.”

Looking ahead, the blend of experience and youthful energy could prove decisive as Manchester City prepare for their fixture list to intensify in September with the addition of Champions League contests.

The likes of Ait-Nouri and Reijnders are expected to be heavily involved from the start, while Cherki is seen as a creative wildcard who could flourish under Pep Guardiola’s coaching, and perhaps with more patience required.

Marmoush himself will also be key, with his versatility across the forward line offering Guardiola options in both domestic and European fixtures. His confidence in the squad’s depth is reflective of a wider feeling within the camp that City are ready to re-establish themselves at the very top.

If the new arrivals adapt quickly, and if the squad maintains the competitive edge Marmoush describes, Manchester City could yet turn the page on a turbulent 2024/25 and mount a serious challenge on multiple fronts once again.