A changing of the guard looks to be taking place at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City have had a mixed beginning to the 25/26 season. An impressive win over Wolves was followed up by a disappointing defeat to Tottenham last Saturday. But looking at who Pep Guardiola has selected to play in both games, it seems that a changing of the guard is taking place at Manchester City. As City’s rebuild takes shape, it isn’t surprising to see younger players preferred to experienced players at this stage of the season.

Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji have yet to feature so far this season.

Tellingly, so far this season, Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji have yet to feature for Manchester City this season. Both players were unused substitutes during City’s 4-nil win over Wolves. Neither player was in the City squad for their defeat to Tottenham. Perhaps that is an indication that their futures lie away from Manchester City. Sky Sports News has reported that Crystal Palace have approached City about signing Akanji. FCInterNews has relayed a report from TuttoSport, that Ilkay Gundogan is interested in a move to Serie A. Perhaps the fact that both players are yet to feature for Pep Guardiola’s side this season indicates that their days are numbered at the club.

Who Pep Guardiola has preferred over Akanji and Gundogan seems to be telling.

So far this season, Nico has started each of Manchester City’s first two Premier League games of the new season. After failing to play a prominent role at the back end of last season and at the FIFA Club World Cup, it has been good to see the Spanish midfielder start both games. He played well against Wolves and wasn’t City’s worst player against Tottenham. Nico needs minutes and games to grow as a City player. He has had those opportunities so far this season.

Against Wolves, Pep Guardiola brought on Nico O’Reilly and Abdukodur Khusanov instead of Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji. Although the game was over by the time each player came on it did appear to be telling that youth was preferred to experience. Perhaps there is a changing of the guard taking place at Manchester City.

The make up of the Manchester City squad won’t be known until the transfer window closes at 7pm on September 1st. It wouldn’t be a shock if Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji both leave City. But if they stay they may be starved of opportunities to play. It seems that a changing of the guard is taking place amongst Pep Guardiola’s squad. That isn’t a major surprise considering that a new era is underway at the club.