The Italian addressed reporters a week on from his Etihad Campus unveiling, ahead of Manchester City's pre-season opener against Inter Milan, with several players still missing after extended post-World Cup breaks.
Asked about the transfer window, Maresca made clear more business is coming even after a club-record £116m move for Elliot Anderson.
"We are talking with Hugo (Viana) and the club about some players, for sure we are going to do something, we are looking at different positions," he said. "In this moment we have many young players here, tomorrow three senior players are going to arrive and slowly, slowly the rest, and I am happy to work with the ones who are here."
Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi remains the priority midfield target, with City pushing to knock the Ligue 1 club's £85m valuation down, and reinforcements are also being sought at right-back and up front. Goalkeeping cover is on the agenda too: with James Trafford's exit to Leeds United close to being wrapped up, Marseille's Argentina international Geronimo Rulli has emerged as a candidate to sit behind Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Sporting director Hugo Viana is expected to fly out to Asia shortly to help push those deals forward.
Rodri's continued absence dominated much of the questioning. The Spaniard underwent surgery last Monday and is not due back until his holiday finishes.
"As I said in the press conference, it's just speculation in this moment. Rodri had surgery last Monday, everything was fine. Now some days off and then back with us when he has finished the holiday," Maresca said. On Viana's view of the situation, he added: "As I said, the main focus for him when the season finished was the World Cup. Now he enjoys some rest after that and we didn't have any conversation, just focused on Rodri."
Asked how important Rodri is, Maresca did not hold back: "It's very important. I said in the first press conference that any manager in the world wants Rodri, so it's important for me, for the club and for everyone, but now he needs a holiday. He's very important when we need to play every three days."
Erling Haaland is also absent for Saturday.
"We would like to but they need the rest after the World Cup. Tomorrow, Ruben [Dias], Matheus [Nunes] and Omar [Marmoush] will arrive but they will arrive late in the morning so no chance to have them for the game. The rest [of the players] need a holiday after the World Cup and slowly they are going to be back," Maresca said.
On Phil Foden, he was equally patient: "He's very important, like the rest. Knowing Phil from years ago, I know how good he is so it's my duty to try to help him, to be the Phil that we all want. First of all to be happy, for him, that is the most important thing. Phil in good condition and a good mood can help us to win games and to win titles and this is what we want."
Asked about replacing Pep Guardiola after a decade of success, Maresca was measured: "It's the same question from day one. For me, it's a huge privilege to be here after Pep, after ten years with him. I don't believe in copy and paste, I think every manager is different, every manager can bring something different, so it's my target and my duty to introduce some new ideas. In general, it's a privilege."