Man City is entering the preparation process for the new season. There is about 1 month left until the Premier League kicks off, and the transfer market also has 5 weeks for The Citizens to consider additional options.
Since the treble in 2023, Man City has never passed the Champions League quarter-finals. Last season, they also lost to Arsenal in the Premier League title race (last season Liverpool won the championship). Therefore, in the past 3 years, Man City, although still having the League Cup and FA Cup, cannot say that success is worthy of its stature. Therefore, Enzo Maresca's task this time is very heavy, not simply a person who takes over the task from Pep Guardiola, he must succeed immediately.
To start the journey to regain the throne, Man City did not spare money to detonate the blockbuster Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for 116 million pounds. Not stopping there, the Etihad Stadium team also wants to bring in another right winger and a right defender to compete with Matheus Nunes.
However, all stories about Enzo Maresca's team building at this time revolve around Rodri, one of the best midfielders in the world in the past 3 years. In a season expected to play more than 60 matches, Man City cannot lack the Spanish star. Rodri has just completed his collection of titles with the 2026 World Cup championship and is in Real Madrid's sights, so Man City needs to quickly take action to tie down the 30-year-old star.
If Rodri is successfully kept with a new contract, even if it only has a one-year extension, Enzo Maresca will be much more thoughtful in the midfield building problem. Rodri will join Anderson to become the most anticipated midfield pair in the Premier League. Rodri's level on the field does not need to be proven anymore, the important thing is that his experience can help young stars like Anderson mature quickly. Man City bought Anderson to gradually replace Rodri, but it would be very disappointing for City's newcomer if there is no senior like Rodri guiding him in the first season.
After the separation of John Stones and Bernardo Silva, the veterans who once won the treble are gradually moving away from Etihad. Therefore, Rodri's role becomes even more important. In addition to expertise and experience, he is also the embodiment of Man City's class as they enter a new campaign with the goal of winning the Premier League.
Below Rodri, Gianluigi Donnarumma is still the last barrier and creates the most peace of mind. The Italian goalkeeper does not take any time to integrate into the new team and prove his top class. Donnarumma will need more solidity in the central defender pair to be more solid in the goal in a season predicted to be extremely difficult.
Enzo Maresca can temporarily rest assured with the quality of the defense when the quartet Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov showed stable form. Last season, Nico O'Reilly played very well on the left wing and deserved to be the leader of Man City's young generation. On the opposite wing, Matheus Nunes has matured with each match and Maresca hopes he can break through to become the 2nd Kyle Walker version.
In attack, the pair Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo are expected to become City's energetic wings in the new season. They are fast, fit, less injured players and had very impressive performances last season. The link between this pair will be Ryan Cherki, who is considered the new creative brain of The Citizens' attack. The French midfielder made a good debut last season and is expected to be even better in the 2026-27 campaign.
Finally, Erling Haaland - the world's top super striker at the moment. After a brilliant performance at the World Cup with 7 goals, the Norwegian striker will continue to lead the former champion's attack. As for Phil Foden, after a full summer break, Man City fans are hoping he will return to his true form to add depth to the team's attack.
