Men's 2025/26 review: Midfielders

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Manchester City F.C.

·11 June 2026

Men's 2025/26 review: Midfielders

Continuing our reflection on how City's players performed during the 2025/26 season...

Today we focus on our midfielders.

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Playing for Pep Guardiola demands versatility, so some of the players in this list may not have spent that much time in midfield, while others resided there most of the campaign…

So, from the first Premier League game to the last- plus all the competitions in-between – are the stats and review of each of our midfield stars.

Bernardo

An epic final season from the skipper, Bernardo dug deep into his energy reserves to be a continued presence throughout the campaign.

His effort and endeavours were hugely appreciated by his manager, team-mates and the City fans as he led us to two major trophies.

He led by example on and off the pitch and signed off knowing he’d given his all for this football club.

Highlight

His brilliantly-timed run to meet Erling Haaland’s headed pass with a sliding volley at Anfield put the Blues on our way to a rare Anfield win, but his chasing back when Kai Havertz looked to break clear in the home win over Arsenal – and the celebration that followed as he hooked the ball to safety – probably just edges it.

Rodri

Appearances: 33

Goals: 2

Assists: 0

Minutes played: 2184

A season defined by recovery, Rodri had to be patient and ease his way back into the City team after missing the best part of a year with injury.

It took time for him to find his rhythm – and a set-back in winter saw him miss November and December’s hectic schedule - but he was returning to his best in the last few months of the campaign when a niggling muscular injury hampered his progress.

A solid World Cup without issue should see our Spanish colossus back to top form again in 2026/27.

Highlight

A dominant display in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over a Arsenal at Wembley.

Nico González

Appearances: 41

Goals: 2

Assists: 0

Minutes played: 2582

Nico showed again what an asset he can be during 2025/26.

When Rodri was fit, he rarely played, but when he did have the opportunity, he always gave a solid, dependable performance.

An energetic midfielder, he will hope to get more chances next season and perhaps even have the chance to complement Rodri in the midfield engine room.

Highlight

An easy one – his stunning 30-yard goal at Wembley that secured a place in the FA Cup final and a completed a dramatic turnaround against Southampton.

Nico O’Reilly

Appearances: 53

Goals: 9

Assists: 6

Minutes played:4043

A superb season for our young England star.

It’s still hard to believe he has only just turned 21 and his first full campaign in the first team couldn’t have gone much better.

He grew in stature and confidence as the campaign progressed, with his powerful running and physicality becoming an integral part of our performances last season.

His time was spent at left-back, yet he still managed nine goals and six assists – an incredible 12 months from our Etihad Player of the Season.

Highlight

An easy choice – his two headed goals inside five second-half minutes in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal.

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Mateo Kovacic

Appearances: 9

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

Minutes played: 242

A hugely frustrating season for our Croatian midfielder, who like compatriot Josko Gvardiol, spent the majority of the campaign on the treatment table.

In the final few games of the season we were reminded what we had been missing, with his tidy, intelligent industry becoming evermore influential as the games finally ran out.

Highlight

A delightful assist as he threaded a pass through to Erling Haaland to get the Blues back into the game away to Everton.

Phil Foden

Appearances: 50

Goals: 10

Assists: 7

Minutes played: 3047

A solid contribution by Phil Foden, with 10 goals and seven assists a good return.

As ever, he never stopped running and trying to create openings for his team-mates and his spell of seven goals in four matches in late November and early December showed Foden at his very best.

Our gifted playmaker will be looking to find those levels again during 2026/27.

Highlight

Two goals either side of half-time away to Fulham when Foden and Erling Haaland were almost unplayable at times just edges his first and last minute goals at home to Leeds United.