Maresca’s squad earned praise a-plenty for their progress in what was a richly rewarding first half of the season.
Several of the EDS squad were afforded first team City debuts as well as gaining extensive experience through training under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola and his staff.
The City youngsters meanwhile caught the eye both for a series of impressive results in PL2 – and for the progressive, exciting brand of football overseen by former Italian striker Maresca and his backroom team.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
But as he looked ahead to Monday’s resumption away at Derby, the former Italian striker insisted there was still plenty of untapped potential waiting to be mined.
“We were quite happy with the first part of the season but now we are going to try to improve in terms of trying to help the players individually and as a team,” Maresca asserted.
“The idea is still the same for us to as a staff. It’s important for us to help them understand how they can improve as a player, how they can understand the game and how they can improve in every aspect.
“For them, I think it’s important to understand that every session is a moment to be focused and to work hard in every aspect they can.
“At the end it is about learning for them, for us… for everybody.
“We will try to make the effort that a training session is a moment where we can improve a lot.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY PODCAST
“The message to the guys is simple - to try and make the maximum effort and try to continue to learn and improve.
“So absolutely we can still be better.”
City will resume action against the Rams sitting in fourth place in the table but with a crucial game in hand on the top three.
And though the Elite Development Squad’s overarching focus and drive is on helping each individual prosper in their learning and development, collectively Marseca says there is a big incentive for the squad.
“We still have PL2 and the Youth League so we still have important targets, and we will try in PL2 to maintain until the end our positions,” the head coach added.
“If we are able to maintain our position now with a game in hand and then fight to be there in the last three or four games of the season, I think we can try to make something important in PL2
“It’s important also that the team compete thinking to win games and to win something. Yes, its development but, also, we can develop them and try to do something important as a team that will help them a lot.
“We are all excited to play on Monday and we are all looking forward to start the competition again.”
City’s trip to Derby, which kicks off at 7pm, will be available to watch LIVE for CITY+ subscribers.
For details of how to sign up and access exclusive content, visit HERE.
