Would Bouaddi and Anderson represent a futureproof Manchester City midfield? | OneFootball

It has been enjoyable, but emotional, 2026 for Manchester City fans. Despite winning both domestic cups, the club fell short in its pursuit of yet another Premier League title. Further, Pep Guardiola would announce his departure from the club after a trophy-laden decade as manager. Also, John Stones and Bernardo Silva would also follow the Spaniard out of the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s departure represents the end of an era at the club. Enzo Maresca has since been confirmed as Manchester City’s new manager and will lead a new era at the club.

There is a of the changing of the guard occuring at Manchester City, both on the pitch and in the dugout. On the pitch, Manchester City are in the process of revamping their midfield. Bernardo Silva has left the club and Rodri’s long-term future at the club is in doubt. Also, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders haven’t quite made the mark in midfield as City would have liked.

Manchester City have completed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for club record transfer fee of £116 million, as reported by David Ornstein. As of right now, it would seem that Lille and Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is seemingly City’s other midfield target. Sam Lee has previously reported for The Athletic that City are interested in signing the Lille midfielder.

It all points to one thing: the club is looking to cement its midfield for the foreseeable future. So, is that truly the case?

A potential midfield duo with plenty left in the tank for Manchester City.

The Manchester City midfield has been experienced for a number of years now. When De Bruyne left for Napoli, he had nearly 300 Premier League appearances for the Cityzens and was 33 years old. Elsewhere, Bernardo Silva has departed. Bernardo Silva was a vital contributor for City during his nine years at the club and his energy and know-how in midfield was pivotal to Pep Guardiola’s side last season. Rodri is now 30, and only has 12 months left on his current contract. Also, Mateo Kovacic is well into his 30s. It feels like a good time to replenish the squad with younger players, a trend that has held for several windows.

The likes of Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez arrived at over the past 18 months to bring fresh blood to the side, and with them, the club is just behind Arsenal in the Premier League odds for 2026/27 at 3/1. You would have to imagine, though, that the introduction of Anderson, and potentially Bouaddi, would boost those odds. Elliot Anderson is Premier League proven and arrives at City as one of the elite midfielders in the Premier League with the potential to become on of the elite midfielders in European football. Ayyoub Bouaddi is 18, and he looms as a midfielder who could form a vital component of Manchester City’s midfield if they do manage to sign him from Lille following the World Cup.

If Manchester City could sign Bouaddi, alongside Elliot Anderson, they would immediately have a midfield combination that could become the foundation of Manchester City’s next era. Bouaddi being 18, having already shone on the biggest stage, coupled with Anderson’s work rate and technical ability,would tremendously strengthen an area of the pitch which looked like a concern for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.

Elliot Anderson could be England’s, as well as Manchester City’s, star man.

The ceiling that Anderson possesses is what clearly made him the must-have signing od the summer for the Manchester City. He went straight into the starting 11 when England’s World Cup campaign kicked off, and it is clear that Thomas Tuchel appreciates the Nottingham Forest man’s many talents. Anderson shone for Nottingham Forest last season and is a vital player for his country.

That he is almost a shoo-in for England in what is something of a midfield golden generation for the Three Lions is reason enough for the club to pursue him so furiously. If Anderson can continue to grow alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, there is no limit to the levels that Anderson could reach. If he is not yet world-class, it seems extremely likely that he will be soon.

We can see how Declan Rice acts as a talisman for Arsenal. Without him, it is hard to imagine that they would have pipped Manchester City to the title last season. The same can be said for Jude Bellingham and the role he plays for Real Madrid. To that end, Elliot Anderson could be that man for Manchester City. He fits the profile, and it appears both he and Bouaddi could form a strong midfield combination  for years to come for City if their summer transfer plans come together. 

Final thoughts.

Of course, all of this depends on whether Manchester City sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille this summer. But if they can land the Moroccan sensation to complement the signing of Elliot Anderson, Manchester City will have their midfield well set for the future. That looks to be Manchester City’s summer transfer window plan and if it comes together Enzo Maresca will have a tantalizing midfield unit to utilise next season.