Manchester City 25/26 Season Preview

It’s finally that time of the year, the beginning of a new season, and the chance for Manchester City to bounce back from the poor performances last season. New captain, new players, and new backroom staff. No doubt there will be a refreshed feeling around the group, but have they solved the issues of last season?

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The issues Manchester City faced last season, most of them, were obvious to City fans and anyone watching the games in the first half of the season. None clearer than the number of transitions they faced, shots allowed inside the box, and quality chances the opposition were getting in each match. During the 23/24 season, it was mentioned that they were more susceptible in transition; last season, those breaks had teeth.

Next up on the list would be the injuries, particularly those affecting the central defenders, who, based on their previous records, had some notable outliers last season. Even John Stones, when we’re looking at games missed through injury. Nathan Ake had a foot issue last season and, hamstring issue in the 20/21 season. All four of those central defenders had at least two separate periods of injury; most had three.

Heading into the 24/25 season, the team had Dias, Stones, Ake, and Akanji as the genuine options at CB. Gvardiol was playing at left-back. Heading into the 25/26 season, the team has Gvardiol, Dias, Khusanov, Ake, Stones, and Akanji as all genuine CB options. Quality, quantity, and most are without a concerning injury record.

Now, if we go into more detail on the injuries to defenders. Guardiola didn’t have enough fit defenders to rotate them throughout most of the season, managing their fitness. He didn’t have enough defenders to ensure those returning from injury could be eased back into full ninety minutes, and playing every three days. They’ve got the numbers for the 25/26 season.

Add to that list Oscar Bobb and Rodri, missing essentially all of last season. One was set to be the starting RW, battling with Savinho for minutes, and who Guardiola considered the best in the group at high pressing in the first line. The other is the current Ballon d’Or winner, the foundation of the team that accompanies every player in each phase of the game to play at their best level. Rodri dominates the centre circle like Erling Haaland does the penalty box. Not a small loss.

His physical qualities, until Nico Gonzalez arrived, were unique among the group of midfielders we had last season. O’Reilly does have the size and potential to play deeper, but it was too soon to use him there. So, when you add in the injuries to Stones and Akanji, there just wasn’t an option that covered that side of what Rodri does as a six. Then, when you mix in the positional discipline, the passing ability under pressure, and having to organize the entire attack for breaking down low blocks. Yeah, it’s just about getting through it, rather than thriving in any capacity.

We can’t ignore the number of individual mistakes that were made last season. From 17 to 35 in the Premier League. Josko Gvardiol provided 8 of those, 10 across all competitions. Playing left-back when he made 7 of those, so the move to LCB should help him with those. Ait-Nouri is much more comfortable in those wide positions, even under high pressure, although Gvardiol has done well. Ederson and Dias had 4 each.

What we also saw creep into the team was not only the anxiety on the ball, the nervous feeling of a City defender being pressed, but the lack of confidence in making runs ahead of the ball. Of course, there is plenty of fair criticism around the players’ unwillingness to play forward passes, but the movement in front of the passer is crucial. When you ask De Bruyne about his best assists, he’ll immediately point you to the runs made that make playing that pass an easy decision. Raheem Sterling running in behind. Oscar Bobb for that goal against Newcastle (23/24). Take your pick of the goals Ederson assisted last season. How many players are making that run in behind that Marmoush does against Newcastle?

Now, look at this graphic below to highlight those runs, far below the usual level for the first half of the season. It shouldn’t be a surprise to learn Marmoush arrived in the January transfer window.

If you’re struggling to defend transitions and control games, you’d at least hope there are some players in the forward line capable of delivering moments for you. Last season, Manchester City didn’t have a wealth of prolific attackers and saw a huge drop in the number of players with 10+ GA in the PL. The only two were Haaland (25) and De Bruyne (11). The rest of the top ten was made up of Foden (9), Doku (9), Savinho (9), Bernardo (8), Kovacic (8), Marmoush (7), Gundogan (7), and Nunes (7). Not an encouraging group for the most part, that you’d bank on getting plenty of goals at the start of the season. Phil Foden had his issues on and off the pitch that you’d expect him to bounce back from, and is more than capable of putting up 20+ GA across all comps. Marmoush is the same as a full season. After that, who else are you confident can join Haaland in putting up good numbers?

In the leagues they played for, Cherki had 18, Reijnders 14, and Ait Nouri 11. Across his time at City and Frankfurt, Marmoush had 31 GA in the league. Next season, Manchester City will be adding more players capable of providing goals. That’s without mentioning the reported move for Rodrygo, should Savinho leave for Spurs.

If we move over to the list of players who played the most 90s across all competitions last season. Grealish has gone on loan to Everton, De Bruyne left on a free to Napoli, Savinho looks set to join Spurs, and Rico Lewis has been linked to a Forest move. If they stay, you’d expect to see a decrease in the minutes that Kovacic, Gundogan, and Akanji play. The entire T15 will be shaken up next season. That should be considered a positive.

Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri were in the top four for minutes played in the CWC. Those two will be starters week in, week out for Manchester City next season and straight into the T10 for minutes. A fit Rodri makes the T10. So, when you’re looking at a core of Rodri, Reijnders, Haaland, Ait-Nouri, Dias, and Bernardo, that gives you a great foundation to build on. If Matheus Nunes is the first choice RB, he’ll join that group. The likes of Foden, Cherki, Bobb, and Khusanov can join them IMO.

Another point, winning more second balls and managing the long balls better across the season, is essential to Manchester City having a successful season. Second ball wins are possession regains following an intervention from a long pass. No City player made the T15 in the Premier League last season; Gvardiol (30) was nineteen away from making the list.

Rodri is outstanding in these situations and was injured for most of last season. Nico Gonzalez, another, arrived in January and wasn’t a starter week in, week out for all the remaining Premier League games. You need players who blend anticipation, positioning, and athleticism to pounce on the loose balls. Along with being clean and decisive in their actions.

In previous years, when the team pressed in a 4-4-2, one of Rodri and Gundogan would step up to press, and the other would cover the space between the lines. The space in front of the back four. Last season, that space was often open. It’s difficult to predict where the ball lands, but you can ensure the team is compact, and you have an overload in the space where it will fall. Can you say Manchester City did that consistently last season?

Overall, the way Manchester City performs out of possession will dictate their success this season and will define their title hopes. The level of creativity and the number of goal scorers are there. Personnel changes will play a major role; getting Rodri and Reijnders to play 70% of the minutes in midfield over Kovacic and Gundogan is a huge upgrade. Two starting full-backs in Ait-Nouri and Nunes that have athleticism to get up and down the pitch all game long, provided they can time their jumps correctly and be coordinated in the back four line, is another.

Does the back four shift across as a line when pressing high up the pitch?

How well do the forwards in the first line of the press curve their runs and time their moments to press?

When Manchester City forces a team to one side, does the midfield shift across quickly enough, and close off the spaces that open up to move inside?

If you want to learn more about the OOP improvements the team needs to make, check out the thread linked below. 👇

Tijjani Reijnders comes into the team as an immediate starter in midfield. Has the energy to go all game long, whether it is moving into space to receive the ball, counter pressing, or carrying the ball through the thirds. Not only is Reijnders capable in the buildup and progression of the ball, but he’s also able to make line-breaking passes behind the opposition's defensive line. Has the smell for goal, arrives in the box at the right moments, and can finish chances. That’s a combination of the best attributes Kovacic, Gundogan, and Bernardo provided last season, all rolled into one player.

The carrying ability has to be mentioned; it’s the quality City was looking for in Rice, Bellingham, and Nunes. To carry the ball through the third, playing alongside Rodri. Reijnders eats up the ground with his long-legged strides, reducing the need for Rodri to carry the ball and offering an outlet as well in transition. In the biggest games of the season, this will be a game-changer for Manchester City.

Rayan Ait-Nouri led Premier League defenders last season for possessions won in the final third (21), and the most touches in the opposition box for a full-back (104). He’s more comfortable than Gvardiol in the tight spaces out wide and high up the pitch. Wriggling his way out under pressure. Better suited to defending along the touchline. Can dribble past players as well as he can time his late arrivals into the box to get on the end of a cutback. With De Bruyne departing, we must add more quality crossers to the team, and Ait-Nouri can deliver a variety from the left half-space and on the left side of the box.

In the CWC, we saw Ait-Nouri invert into midfield, pick up the spaces of a central midfielder next to Rodri, and quickly pick up the rotations. Caught out in the Al Hilal match for not timing his pressing jumps well and looking a bit lost in the box with the other defenders. In the Palermo match, you could see him still learning the positional play aspects of the team, knowing when to arrive in certain spaces to receive the ball. Those are the two sides of the game that if Ait-Nouri gets right, he’ll be on his way to being the best left-back in the Premier League.

Rayan Cherki is the creative spark that the team needed following last season and the departure of De Bruyne. Two-footed, Cherki can create from any part of the pitch, from any angle. He’s displayed the kind of confidence you need to force your way into the French National Team and wear the #10 for Manchester City. The pressure, the big moments, often brought the best out of De Bruyne, and Rayan Cherki is the same breed.

We’ve seen in the Palermo match, as well as the CWC, that Guardiola wants to use Cherki centrally, with plenty of freedom to operate deeper. Similar to how Musiala has played for Kompany last season. Able to support in the buildup, trusted to understand the tempo, and with options ahead of him to pick out.

Plenty of talk will be about how Manchester City defends this season, but many points were lost due to a lack of creativity. FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest (A), Aston Villa (A), Manchester United (A), Southampton (A), and Newcastle (A) are all good examples of points lost last season from simply not creating enough quality chances.

James Trafford has the potential to be the number one keeper for England over the next ten years. Not without his areas to improve, but he brings a great balance between his shot-stopping and being comfortable playing out from the back under pressure.

In addition to those, Manchester City managed to pick up the most promising young player in Norway, Sverre Nypan (18), who looks to be heading out on loan to Middlesbrough. He’s got the promise to become an all-phases midfielder that can support in the buildup, carry the ball through the thirds, play passes into the box, and get inside himself to score. Part of that move, I suspect, is about making sure he becomes an association-trained player in the future. The Championship is also underrated as a league to develop young players.

If you want to learn more about the player, check out the article linked below. 👇

Marcus Bettinelli (33) has also arrived to take the place of Scott Carson as the third-choice goalkeeper, moving from Chelsea. There is the rumored potential incomings of Rodrygo (Real Madrid) and Donnarumma (PSG) as replacements for Savinho and Ederson. If those moves happen, you can expect to see a more detailed piece on each of them.

Jack Grealish (29) has gone out on loan to Everton, setting up a potential permanent move, and at the very least, a great opportunity for him to earn a move elsewhere. Although, based on the last couple of seasons, not a significant loss, you’d hope that he has a successful season.

For me, the greatest Manchester City player of all time has left for Napoli, and that’s a great spot for Kevin De Bruyne (34) to finish off his career. Outside chance of him breaking the Serie A assist record.

Kyle Walker (35) has left for Burnley. Maximo Perrone (22) has chosen to stay in Como, who would blame him, and with the other midfielders in the squad, it makes sense to sell him. Scott Carson (39) departs for free.

Right now, Vitor Reis (19) has gone on loan to Girona, and Juma Bah (19) to Nice. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (19) to Celtic and Max Alleyne (19) to Watford. Expect Echverri (19) and Nypan (18) to head out on loan.

James McAtee (22) is likely to complete his permanent move to Nottingham Forest in the next couple of days, and I think he’ll do very well there. Has a knack for scoring goals, can play either wing, as a ten, and false nine. They’ve got plenty of minutes on offer with Europa League football. Rico Lewis (20) is reported to be following McAtee to Forest. Without a clear route into the team at right-back or midfield, you can see why he’d be looking to move on.

As I mentioned earlier, both Savinho (21) and Ederson (31) are heavily linked to moves away this summer, and will likely be replaced directly. If those moves happen, I’ll cover it in more detail in a separate newsletter. In the case of Ederson, that can have a huge impact on the title race for City.

At the Club World Cup, we got a look at some new signings and how the team could shape up this season. Tucking the full-backs inside next to the number six against Wydad. The Carrying ability of Tijjani Reijnders from the goalkicks and in transition. Full-backs holding the width, split-strikers, and a high box against Al-Ain. Vacating the middle to open up passing lanes. The rotations against Juventus. The improvements in pressing. Concerns out-of-possession. Jeremy Doku is in a central position. The set-piece routines, attacking the back-post. The passing quality added to the team.

We got to see plenty of new ideas at the tournament, more than I’ve mentioned above, and discussed in the video, which is encouraging heading into the new season. Speaks to the refreshment of the group and how they’ve used the Club World Cup not only to bed in new players but to work on solutions.

If you want to know what other changes I think we’ll see from Manchester City next season, check out this video linked below. 👇

Speaking of refreshing the team, the new coaching staff seems to have had a big impact on the group, from the players through to Guardiola. James French is entirely focused on set pieces, which City didn’t properly have last season, and he brings in new ideas. Someone known for his attention to detail and database of set-piece routines. Kolo Toure is joining the staff, whom Bernardo mentioned as being very demanding on the players in training. A wealth of experience as a player, as well as being a number two to Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City.

Pepijn Lijnders comes in as an assistant to Guardiola, who would have shared similar views, being inspired by Cruyff, but brings different experiences and ideas, having spent so much time working under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. A team known for their high pressing, intensity in the counter press, and energy they brought to each game. All three are young (relative) and aspiring coaches looking to learn from Guardiola as much as they want to move forward in their careers. This aligns with a team rebuilding and bringing in plenty of players who want to go to the next level.

I’d add that the CWC would have been very useful to help bed in the new players and team bond ahead of the new season, rather than us head into the Wolves match as the first competitive game for the new signings, most of them have played in three games already.

I thought this was a great graphic to illustrate how many goals Manchester City left on the table last season. Working so many cutbacks, but without the quality of players to create clear-cut chances (Cherki) and those to take the chances (Reijnders).

I’m confident in saying the top four will be City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea. That those four have opened up a gap which we’ll see form across the season, no matter how well the likes of Spurs, Villa, and Newcastle do. All of the top four could be involved in the title race. The quality of players is there.

As it stands, Liverpool has arguably added the most talented player on the market in Florian Wirtz, the best young striker prospect in Hugo Ekitike, and two highly rated full-backs. On the flipside, the squad depth is thin; those promising full-backs don’t give you many options in how you set up the team, and you have to try to figure out the best shape to balance the new attacking players. In the preseason and the opening match against Bournemouth, the space behind the full-backs, as well as the space left when Szoboszlai covers for Salah, is there to be exposed. They’ll be more susceptible in transition. Oh, and how do you fit Gravenberch back into the team whilst keeping the balance?

Arsenal have a more settled group compared to the other title challengers, got in one of the best defensive midfielders not named Rodri, and the striker they’ve wanted for years. Mosquera is a smart pick-up. Split opinions on Madueke as he’s not the superstar LW fans wanted, but he’s talented enough, and brings the qualities they lack to carry in the box all game long. The question marks are on whether Arteta can adapt to get the best from Gyokeres, away from their more conservative setup, and improve their central chance creation. Becoming predictable last season. Rice is not a perfect fit as an eight for all games. Lacking a full-back that can be dynamic out wide like Liverpool and City have.

Chelsea has more than enough firepower to get themselves into a title race. Joao Pedro is a game-changer of a signing in my opinion, complemented well by Delap. My concern would be the injury to Colwill among a group of central defenders that is not as good as the other contenders. Whether their wingers are ready for the level of consistency required. All whilst not upgrading a key position, your goalkeeper.

Tottenham under Thomas Frank is a tough one to predict. He’ll be much more pragmatic in the ‘top six’ matchups, but can he do it against teams they’re expected to beat? My hot take for the season is the Spurs getting 5th place. Although Villa couldn’t do much business this summer, and a decline is likely, still watch out for Evann Guessand.

Brentford has lost Thomas Frank and his backroom staff, likely Wissa and Mbeumo, and so it’s hard to see them not struggling. Crystal Palace could follow them if the reported outgoings of Eze and Guehi end up happening this summer. Sunderland seems best placed, of the promoted teams, to avoid relegation. I’m a big fan of Chris Rigg, who plays for them. Watch out for him.

Further down the table several signings that stood out to me, starting with Bournemouth, who I think will be fine despite their significant outgoings. Bafode Diakite and Adrien Truffert are coming in from Ligue 1 and will perform right away. Dan Ndoye to replace Elanga at Nottingham Forest is another one. Cheating a little, Michael Kayode joined Brentford in January but made the move permanent this summer; that’s a future right-back target for Manchester City. At left-back, West Ham have got El Hadji Malick Diouf, and he’s going to be at home in the Premier League.

Some will take a bit longer to settle in the league, but the quality of signings Everton has made will be worth it in the long run. Thierno Barry is a physical young striker who might not put it all together this season, but he’ll persist in taking chances all season long, and Adam Aznou is a two-way left-back Bayern will regret selling.

Only the one friendly match we got to see of Manchester City, after the CWC, and the break the players had. They did have a behind-closed-doors match with Preston North End. Taking a 22-man squad over to Italy, 10 changes at half-time, and all twenty-two got minutes.

The likes of Reijnders and Cherki, I thought, had standout performances. Neither half did the team start with the right tempo, rushed in the first, and was too slow in the second. One half was two inverted full-backs, playing through the lines, and the other was two wingers holding the width, looking to be found isolated 1v1 out wide.

If you’re looking for a video to discuss the match in detail, check out this one below. 👇

Later today, Manchester City take on Wolves, and off the back of the match against Palermo, the starting eleven isn’t too easy to pick. The noise around Ederson suggests it would be a risk to start anyone other than James Trafford in goal. Rodri and Foden have travelled, so expect some minutes for them, but Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are not ready yet, out injured.

Given the performance against Palermo, the display of fitness, I think John Stones gets the nod, joined by Abdukodir Khusanov, given the threat Wolves could pose in transition with Jhon Arias. The full-backs of Nunes and Ait-Nouri seem to be our first choice on either side this season. I’ve gone for a midfield trio of Nico, Reijnders, and Cherki, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bernardo start in midfield. Cherki instead starts on the RW, which means Jeremy Doku needs to play LW. Good chance that Bobb and Marmoush start on the wings instead. No doubt Erling Haaland leads the line.

If you want to see a video going through the selection, check out this one below. 👇

With all of that being said, when I’m looking at the squad, I think they’ve churned it into a good position if we’re looking at the age profiles in key positions compared to last season, but there is still work to do. A lot of that comes down to your outgoings. You’d expect James McAtee and Stefan Ortega to confirm moves away, and that Sverre Nypan and Claudio Echeverri go out on loan. If Savinho goes, you need a replacement; the forward line is looking far too light otherwise. Ederson, they’ll look to replace him should he go.

With all of those players departing, you still need another non-HG player to leave to meet the non-HG limit of 17. I’d had Akanji, Gundogan, and Kovacic down as the most realistic candidates. If Lewis is off to Forest, then you’d keep Akanji. Kovacic is meant to be injured until October. Leaving Gundogan as the one to go. Assuming that they’re able to get the business done, I think the squad is in an excellent place heading into the season to compete, and then add more quality summer of 2026 when other senior players depart.

In terms of the title race, all the contenders have real quality in the squads; each, though, has holes and concerns ahead of the new season. I’d expect we’ll see a tight title race between two of those heading into April/May. As outlined earlier in the newsletter, there were plenty of issues last season. I think they have been either resolved or the squad is better set up to handle them.

Added the quality passers to the midfield. You’ve got a backup option for Haaland and Rodri. The depth in the backline to withstand the volume of games. Rodri and Bobb are back to full fitness. Foden to bounce back. Signs of new ideas being used on the pitch, and a refreshed feeling around the group off the pitch. The coaching staff and players have come in to make improvements in attacking set-pieces and be more efficient with scoring from high turnovers. New signings in January bedded in with the team. With the depth of the City squad, return of Rodri, and number of attacking options, I think they’re in the best position to win that race and reclaim the title. Make no mistake, this will go down to the last few games and not be an easy title race to win.