Ten months after they last topped the Premier League table, Manchester City’s attempt to reassert their domination of English football since Pep Guardiola’s arrival is founded on significant investment in their squad and the return of Ballon d’Or holder Rodri, who missed much of last season through injury.
Such was City’s decline that the near-unthinkable spectre of Champions League exile hung over the 2023/24 European champions. They averted that fate during the second half of the season, although a surprise, deserved FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace summarised their struggle.
Erling Haaland still contributed 34 goals in all competitions and the most feared out-and-out striker in the Premier League will be determined to win back the golden boot from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, while Phil Foden will want rejuvenation after a troubled year since winning the Premier League Player of the Season in 2024.
Are City destined to remain also-rans or will Pep Guardiola produce another of his stylistic reinventions to restore them to the summit?
Man City signings 2025/26
City have added width and speed on either flank, signing enterprising left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31 million, as well as playmaker Rayan Cherki for more than £30m from Lyon, last seen causing torment in Manchester for his former club in last season’s Europa League.
In the middle, last season’s Serie A midfielder of the season, Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders, has cost £46m from Milan, and former City academy product James Trafford has been signed back from Burnley for a fee that could rise to a record for a British goalkeeper.
What else might change for Man City in 2025/26?
Guardiola will need his influx of midfielders and Foden’s form to make up for the departure of a luminary in Kevin De Bruyne, while John Stones is back after missing much of last season and could be joined in defence by Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji, who were also sidelined by injuries.
Kyle Walker has moved to Burnley, meaning the right-back will no longer be rivalling the likes of Jeremy Doku and Savinho among the speed merchants Guardiola is largely reliant upon.
Rodri’s influence and ingenuity will surely have a huge impact when the midfielder returns, and Trafford – who had the best record of any goalkeeper in England last season – could replace Ederson, who seems perenially on the brink of an exit.
City are not alone in hoping that their case over 115 charges relating to financial fair play will be resolved sooner rather than later, with the club consistently stating their complete innocence.
Where will Man City finish in 2025/26?
Guardiola saw encouraging signs of cohesion and renewed desire at the Club World Cup, and the force of his determination to exorcise his worst season for eight years would make it little surprise if City rediscover their clobbering best.
A lack of evidence for their complete recovery makes it too early to confidently expect an overhaul of last season’s top two. Third place again may make Guardiola consider his future.
