Manchester City enter the 2025-26 Premier League season after a trophyless campaign, having finished third and lost the FA Cup final. Around £300m has been spent over the past eight months to rejuvenate the squad, with new signings showing promise at the Club World Cup. The fitness of Rodri, who missed most of last season through injury, is seen as crucial to City's hopes.
Pep Guardiola has indicated the team must adapt to football's evolution, particularly the increased physicality that blunted their play last season. There could be greater emphasis on dribbling to open up spaces, with Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku and Savinho key in a post-Kevin De Bruyne era. Guardiola took last season personally and has overhauled his coaching staff, including appointing Jürgen Klopp's former assistant Pep Lijnders.
A battle looms in goal between Ederson and new signing James Trafford. Ederson has been Guardiola's No 1 for years, but Trafford, a former City academy player, is seen as a potential long-term successor with all the qualities to be world-class. Up front, Erling Haaland remains a danger, with fitness the main concern, while Omar Marmoush provides a second striking option after impressing since his January arrival.
The ongoing Premier League charges against the club remain a distraction, with no resolution in sight. On a positive note, City have finally secured a proper left-back in Rayan Aït-Nouri, but the more exciting acquisition is attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, a maverick talent who dribbles, creates and scores. Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb is expected to feature after a broken leg sidelined him for much of last season.
Guardiola's predicted position by Guardian writers is third, though this is an average and not necessarily the view of this preview.
