Manchester City’s improvement in the final third will come from within | OneFootball

As ridiculous as it may sound to some Manchester City will enter next season with a squad capable of reclaiming the Premier League title. After City’s early exit in the FIFA Club World Cup at the hands of Al Hilal that fact has been lost. Heading into the 25/26 season, there are a host of areas that Pep Guardiola’s side needs to improve. Their defensive frailties need to be addressed. The susceptibility of Pep Guardiola’s side to quick counterattacks must be improved upon. In the final third, City must be more clinical. But looking at where Manchester City’s improvement in the final third can come from it must come from within.

Manchester City’s improvement in the final third can come from the organic growth of a host of players.

Pep Guardiola’s squad is blessed with quality options in the final third. Up front, it is expected that Erling Haaland and, on occasions, Omar Marmoush will be the focal point of City’s attack. Erling Haaland is the world’s best pure striker. Omar Marmoush can serve as a deputy for Haaland when required. He also figures to be a prominent player for City on the left wing. Marmoush’s ability to drift centrally and score is invaluable. But outside of that Manchester City’s squad is blessed with a host of young players who are on the cusp of breaking out.

On the left wing outside of Omar Marmoush, it is Jeremy Doku’s position to make his own. The Belgian international showed at the FIFA Club World Cup that he is poised to take the next step in his career. If Doku’s end product improves he can be a world beater. The challenge for Doku is to take that step. He is more than capable. If he does then Manchester City’s improvement in the final third will come from Doku’s improvement. But he isn’t alone in that boat.

On the right wing, it would seem that Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb and Savinho will battle it out for minutes. In the case of Bernardo, Foden and Cherki I expect those three to play centrally on occasions. In the case of Foden and Cherki, I’d expect both players to play significant minutes as a number ten. Bernardo Silva will play wherever his team needs him. That leaves Savinho and Oscar Bobb. Both players have the talent and potential to become elite wingers. Savinho must improve his end product. Bobb has to stay fit. If both players do that, Manchester City’s improvement in the final third will be profound.

Summary.

The Manchester City squad is loaded with talent. Especially in the final third. In the case of Doku, Savinho and Bobb each player is a rough diamond. If they become a refined diamond next season Pep Guardiola’s side will be a formidable proposition for their opponents. That’s the challenge in front of those three players. Bring the numbers that a player like Riyad Mahrez did during his time at City. If they do that Pep Guardiola’s team will be a frightening prospect up front.