New manager Enzo Maresca is already making waves at Manchester City as he targets Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol as his first major signing.
Gvardiol, who signed a new five-year deal with City last week, has praised Maresca as "a perfect one" for the job, saying the Italian has a "quality" and "some new ideas" to bring to the team.
The 46-year-old Maresca, who has previously won the Championship title with Leicester and the Club World Cup with Chelsea, has been tasked with taking over from the legendary Pep Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of last season after a decade in charge.
Gvardiol, who missed five months of last season after breaking a bone in his right leg, has been speaking highly of Maresca, saying they have already met and discussed his injury and playing style under Guardiola.
Maresca took charge of City for the first time in Saturday's friendly defeat on penalties by Inter Milan in Hong Kong, and Gvardiol believes it will take time for the new manager to implement his ideas.
"It's something totally new, it's not easy to change the manager, so we will take time," Gvardiol said. "It's our job to help him as much as possible and also to listen to try to adapt as quick as possible."
Gvardiol also spoke about the club's leadership group, saying it's "difficult to tell you about this but we need to see," and that team-mate Ruben Dias is likely to take on a more prominent leadership role following Bernardo Silva's departure to Real Madrid.
City are currently on a pre-season tour, staying in what Maresca described as the "best hotel" in the world, and will be looking to make some key signings in the coming weeks.
Maresca's first major signing is expected to be Gvardiol, who has been linked with a move away from City in recent months.
With the new season just around the corner, Maresca will be looking to make a strong impression and get City back to winning ways after a disappointing end to Guardiola's tenure.
Meanwhile, City team-mate Ruben Dias featured for Portugal in their World Cup defeat by Croatia, while midfielder Rodri captained Spain to World Cup glory.
Gvardiol played all four games at this summer's World Cup as Croatia suffered a last-32 defeat by Portugal, and will be looking to build on his experience with the new season just around the corner.
The new season is set to get underway in a matter of weeks, with City's first game of the campaign still to be confirmed.
Source: BBC Sports