Two defenders look set to stay at Manchester City but will they be prominent players next season? | OneFootball

Two players who appeared to be prime candidates to leave Manchester City this summer were John Stones and Manuel Akanji. Pep Guardiola’s squad is stacked with quality centre-backs. When assessing who could leave City Akanji and Stones would be at the top of the list. But it is unlikely that either player will leave the club before the transfer window closes. If that proves to be the case, where both players will fit into the Manchester City squad for next season, is an interesting topic to dissect.

It would be a major surprise if John Stones or Manuel Akanji left Manchester City this summer.

Jordan Campbell has reported for The Athletic that it is highly unlikely that John Stones will leave City this summer. Furthermore, Campbell reports that Stones wants to stay at the club for next season. Campbell adds that despite John Stones not playing a single minute at the FIFA Club World Cup there is no prospect of him leaving City this summer. In the case of Manuel Akanji, Campbell reports that the Swiss international has a point to prove during the 25/26 season. As of right now, it is considered highly likely that Akanji will remain at Manchester City for the 25/26 season.

What roles await Stones and Akanji if they do not leave City?

Assessing where John Stones and Manuel Akanji fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad if they don’t leave Manchester City this summer isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Typically, both players would play at centre-back. On paper at least, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol would seemingly be City’s first-choice centre-back pairing. Nathan Ake, provided he can stay fit, also has a strong case to play regularly. Abdukodir Khusanov should also be a prominent player for City next season. Akanji and Stones look to be squad players more than first-choice players at this stage. But there could be a role for either player at right-back on closer inspection.

Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis look to be City’s right-backs for next season. But Manuel Akanji can definitely play in the position if required. The Swiss international is a versatile player who could add something different to the role if and when Pep Guardiola requires it. John Stones could do similar. It wouldn’t come as a shock to me if Stones was deployed at right-back on occasions. Stones could play the position similarly to that of Rico Lewis. John Stones has drifted into midfield from centre-back before. He made that role his speciality during Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign in 22/23. There’s no reason, fitness permitting of course, that Stones couldn’t play a role at ivertimh into midfield from right-back if required. He has the technical and tactical ability to do so.

At this stage it would be a surprise if Manuel Akanji and John Stones left Manchester City. Both players appear set to remain at the club for next season. They figure to be squad players rather than certain starters. But playing at right-back may give them more opportunities to play given the needs of Pep Guardiola’s squad.