How the old and the new come together could shape Manchester City’s season | OneFootball

When looking at the Manchester City squad for next season there is an interesting mix of experienced players, players entering their peak and younger players looking to make their mark. Pep Guardiola has his tried and trusted warriors such as Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan for example, to call upon when required. There are also new signings, players entering their prime years and younger players such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nico O’Reilly, Nico, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis who will be eager to make a mark just to name a few. How the old and the new, so to speak, come together could shape Manchester City’s season.

Manchester City’s season could be determined by how the entire squad is used.

It is expected that Manchester City will likely play anywhere between 60-70 games next season. A heavy workload awaits Pep Guardiola’s squad once again during the 25/26 season. To get through so many games, it will require a strong effort from the entire City squad. But how the current blend of players is utilised will likely be a key component of how next season pans out for Pep Guardiola’s side.

At the backend of the 24/25 season, Pep Guardiola turned to experience to turn Manchester City’s stuttering campaign around. As City secured Champions League football for the 25/26 season, Guardiola put it on his senior players to steady the ship. Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic predominantly played in midfield during the back end of last season. Kevin De Bruyne was another player who was a regular in the City first team. But De Bruyne has now left Manchester City. It also cannot be expected that the senior players carry such a burden again if and when the chips are down. There are new signings and a host of young players eager to make a step up to take on more responsibility at Manchester City.

Manchester City’s midfield mix is a blend of the old and the new.

Tijjani Reijnders figures to play a key role in midfield this season. The Dutch international arrived at Manchester City from AC Milan entering the prime years of his career. He should immediately assume midfield responsibility from Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva or Mateo Kovacic. Nico needs more opportunities so he should get more minutes throughout the 25/26 season. Rodri’s return also changes City’s midfield equation. Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis could also step into midfield next season. Both players are young and will be eager for more opportunities in City’s engine room. The reliance on City’s senior players in midfield should be reduced next season based on the mix of players Pep Guardiola has at his disposal.

Up front Pep Guardiola’s squad is packed with young and hungry players plus two players in their prime.

Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden look poised to fill the hole left by De Bruyne’s departure. After a difficult 24/25 season, Foden will eager to bounce back with a vengeance. Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Oscar Bobb will also be tasked with providing Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush with the service they require. All three players are young and at the age where the next step in their careers is coming. In Haaland and Marmoush, Manchester City have two players in their prime years. Both are lethal finishers, and if they can inspire their younger teammates, Manchester City’s season could be a big one throughout 2025 and 2026.

Manchester City’s defence is where the mixture of the old and the new stands out.

Looking at Manchester City’s defence is where the mix of the old and the new stands out. Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji are the older heads in City’s defence. Josko Gvardiol is poised to enter the prime of his career. The same can be said of Rayan Ait-Nouri. Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis are young and eager to take a giant stride forward next season. Matheus Nunes is another player who should be entering his best years as a player. The blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm should see City be strong defensively next season. But they will need support from their midfield. That support should be there given the legs available in midfield in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

In goal, Manchester City currently have experienced keepers in Ederson and Stefan Ortega to call upon. But the goalkeeping situation could change come the beginning of next season.

Manchester City’s season will be shaped by how the entire squad comes together.

There will be games next season where Pep Guardiola turns to experience. Conversely, there will be games when youth takes charge. But how the entire mixture of players comes together will likely define City’s season. There cannot be a heavy reliance on City’s senior players. That would be counter productive. Having said that it is unlikely that City’s youngers players can carry the team through a tough and trying campaign. Manchester City’s players who are entering their prime years also must step up and become leaders. If all three ages groups of Pep Guardiola’s squad does their bit anything is possible next season.