Which young Manchester City centre-back can separate themselves from the others this preseason? | OneFootball

With John Stones and Nathan Ake having both departed Manchester City, it seems obvious who Enzo Maresca’s first-choice centre-backs will be. Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol will form the heart of Manchester City’s defence for next season. There is room for one more centre-back in Enzo Maresca’s squad due to how many games City play each season and due to the fact that Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol both missed significant periods of last season due to injury.

There appear to be three young centre-backs who can fill that role. Vitor Reis, Max Alleyne, and Stephen Mfuni all have an opportunity to impress during Manchester City’s preseason. It will be interesting to see if one player can separate themselves from the pack or if, as expected, Vitor Reis is the fifth-choice centre-back that Enzo Maresca will utilize next season.

Vitor Reis is the clear favourite to be the fifth-choice centre-back for Manchester City next season.

With a host of key Manchester City players not set to return to the club immediately following their World Cup duties, the opportunity to impress new City manager Enzo Maresca is in front of a host of players. Three of those players are young defenders Vitor Reis, Max Alleyne, and Stephen Mfuni. It does seem like those three players are fighting for one role in the City defence for next season.

Vitor Reis would be the clear favourite to be Manchester City’s fifth-choice centre-back for the 2026-27 season. The young Brazilian defender thrived on loan with Girona last season. Playing in La Liga for a full season allowed Reis to grow as a player overall. He is exceptional defensively, with his ability to read the game and time a challenge, which he showed last season, and his ability to progress the ball up the pitch either with his passing or with his dribbling does seem suited to playing in an Enzo Maresca side. In fact  it would be a major surprise if Vitor Reis wasn’t at Manchester City next season.

However, Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni can also put their case forward this summer.

Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni could force themselves into contention for the fifth-choice centre-back role during City’s preseason. Alleyne returned to Manchester City from Watford in their hour of need last January. He filled in at the back and left a lasting impression. His performance in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park being the standout. Although Alleyne’s last two starts for City in their defeats to Manchester United and Bodø/Glimt showed he still has a way to go as a player, he has the talent, nous and potential to one day develop into a Manchester City defender.

Stephen Mfuni has long been earmarked as a starter for Manchester City. The 18-year-old centre-back oozes class both in and out of possession, his upbringing in the City academy is clear to see. Mfuni had an impressive loan spell with Watford during the second half of last season. He played at centre-back and left-back in the eight appearances he made for Watford. His class stood out. A serious ankle injury prematurely ended Mfuni’s 2026-27 season but he now has an opportunity to impress Enzo Maresca this summer, like Max Alleyne and Vitor Reis.

Final thoughts.

The expectation is that Vitor Reis will be the fifth-choice centre-back for Manchester City next season. He looks ready for that particular role. However, Max Alleyne and Stephen Mfuni have an opportunity to impress Enzo Maresca this summer. If either player, or both, can do that, perhaps the battle for Manchester City’s fifth-choice centre-back won’t be as clear cut as it seems. Perhaps one of Vitor Reis, Max Alleyne, or Stephen Mfuni can separate themselves form the others and make the case insurmountable for them to play a pivotal role for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders next season.