Five Manchester City players who could enjoy breakout seasons in 2025/26 | OneFootball

As Pep Guardiola enters a season off the back of immense disappointment last time around at Manchester City, all eyes will be on which emerging names can carve out meaningful roles across a demanding campaign.

With injuries, fixture congestion, and the need for fresh energy within the squad, the door is certainly wide open for young or previously peripheral players to enjoy breakout seasons across the course of 2025/26.

Whether those names are highly rated Academy prospects within the CFA, or talents already knocking on the Manchester City first-team door, here are five players we believe you should be keeping a close eye on this coming season!

Vitor Reis, Centre-Back

Signed from Palmeiras in January for £29.6 million, Brazilian defender Vitor Reis arrived as one of South America’s most highly-rated teenage centre-backs. Strong, composed, and confident on the ball, Reis fits the profile City typically look for in defenders under Guardiola.

The 19-year-old trained extensively with senior coaches in the second half of the last campaign, and the upcoming pre-season is likely to act as a real integration point after experiences with the group at the FIFA Club World Cup.

With question marks continue to linger over the futures of players such as Nathan Aké and John Stones in large part due to their age and worrying fitness record, Reis could be a genuine contender for minutes as the season progresses.

Claudio Echeverri, Attacking Midfield

Formally arriving from River Plate last January, Claudio Echeverri has already begun to leave an impression at senior level within Pep Guardiola’s star-studded Manchester City squad.

The 19-year-old made a late-season Premier League appearance following his debut for the club in the FA Cup Final defeat to Crystal Palace, and went on to score his first competitive goal during a commanding win over Al Ain at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Dubbed ‘El Diablito’ for his eye-catching dribbling and sharp acceleration, Claudio Echeverri offers something refreshingly direct in the final third for Manchester City, and with the possibility of attacking departures – namely Jack Grealish – there may be an opening for the Argentine to contribute meaningfully in both domestic and European competitions.

Divine Mukasa, Attacking Midfield

Signed from West Ham in 2023, Divine Mukasa produced one of the most prolific individual Academy campaigns in recent memory last season. The England youth international recorded 16 goals and 15 assists in just 20 Under-18 Premier League appearances from midfield.

Mukasa’s intelligence, technical ability, and timing of runs into the box make him a standout talent. He has already being looked at for promotion into Elite Development Squad football, and could feature in senior training sessions and Carabao Cup squads as early as this season.

If his development continues at this pace, Manchester City may have another Phil Foden or Cole Palmer-like rise on their hands. Fans will be hoping it is more of the former, when it comes to future success at the Etihad Stadium.

Ryan McAidoo, Forward

Having made headlines at youth level for both club and country, Ryan McAidoo is quietly building a serious reputation within Manchester City’s setup.

Now 17, McAidoo has represented England across multiple age groups and earned internal praise for his ability to play across the front three with maturity beyond his years.

The forward pathway is slightly more open at youth level for McAidoo following recent departures, and the former Chelsea Academy star could be fast-tracked into more regular EDS appearances — and perhaps a senior squad cameo if he continues to develop.

McAidoo is no doubt one of the most naturally instinctive attackers in the youth system and could be this season’s surprise inclusion in a domestic cup squad.

Oscar Bobb, Forward

Manchester City fans will no doubt remember the electric performances of Oscar Bobb during the 2024/25 pre-season tour in the United States — but his true breakout was derailed before it even began.

A leg bone fracture sustained ahead of the opening Premier League weekend game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge ruled him out for the vast majority of last season, with the initial expectation being that he would be City’s mainstay right-winger ahead of Savinho.

Now fully recovered and having rejoined the senior setup towards the end of last season and at the FIFA Club World Cup, Bobb could finally capitalise on the promise he showed before injury last year.

Technically gifted and tactically sharp, the 21-year-old remains highly rated by Pep Guardiola and his backroom staff, and his versatility in wide or central attacking roles will serve him well in the new campaign.