What’s next for Man City? New signings, same high expectations

Manchester City have a lot on their plate following the latest situation of Pep Guardiola’s team being somewhat shockingly knocked out of the summer’s the FIFA Club World Cup.

It was Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal who issued the decisive defeat on the squad in the United States, despite City fans’ high expectations for their side at the tournament. Nevertheless, that disappointing showing should allow City to showcase their best in the upcoming 2025/26 season.

The squad continues to undergo many changes in terms of playing personnel, with the new campaign fast approaching, manager Pep Guardiola and sporting director Hugo Viana continue to aim for a reshape of the team for the future.

While some exits continue to be expected and will no doubt impact City’s first-team squad, what may come next? 

New signings

Hope for Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign had fallen apart, although Pep Guardiola will no doubt be aware that new signings will only act as a positive further down the line.

Learning of new additions and their integration into a team’s line-up is also crucial for fans who often support their favourite teams by betting on independent betting sites; and here are the names that have recently signed with Manchester City over the last few weeks. 

Tijjani Reijnders

City secured Reijnders on a five-year contract in a deal worth around £46.3 million, with the now-former AC Milan star known for establishing himself as providing the most goals and assists among midfielders in Serie A last season. 

Reijnders showed a hopeful spark amidst the chaos during Milan’s disappointing season, but after an eighth-place finish in Serie A, the club missed out on being listed for Europe. Seeing the player’s track record, the Dutchman will likely become a powerful midfield option for Pep Guardiola, especially after Kevin De Bruyne’s exit.

The Netherlands international is also known for his composed passes and ball carries, but his off-the-ball running can also complement City’s team dynamic, which certainly needed improvement off the back of last season.

Having topped off the last campaign with the title of being named Serie A’s best midfielder, Tijjani Reijnders’ signing for Manchester City can significantly help Pep Guardiola get the squad back to its very best.  

Rayan Cherki

Manchester City completed a £34 million deal to sign Rayan Cherki on a five-year contract from Olympique Lyonnais, and made his debut for the side at the FIFA Club World Cup squad alongside his fellow new arrivals.

Cherki was targeted by multiple top clubs across the summer but settled with Manchester City as his final pick, viewing the club as the next step in his career and the right place to improve, ready to embrace his responsibility in bringing the team to a higher spot. 

Manchester City have long targeted and admired the abilities of Rayan Cherki, with the team likely to have been drawn to the France international primarily through his creativity and individual skill. 

Rayan Ait-Nouri

The Algerian left-back was among the first players Manchester City brought in during the summer window, signing the defender in a £31 million deal running until 2030, and swiftly making his debut in the United States.

Ait-Nouri can be the perfect fit for Pep Guardiola; competent and skilful in tight areas, matching Pep Guardiola’s possession-based play. He can dribble fast, and City needed someone who can break lines from wide positions like Ait-Nouri. His defence has also improved since his first arrival in the Premier League, showing up to standard in one-on-one scenarios. 

While flexible in his role, his choices in possession may still need refining, and should he make too many touches on the ball in tight areas, there is a risk of slowing play down – perhaps detrimental to Pep Guardiola’s strategy.

However, there is no doubt that once he improves his assisting skills and abilities in possession, Rayan Ait-Nouri will be an exceptional asset to Manchester City.  

Pep Guardiola’s plan for the future

The Manchester City board and Hugo Viana have equipped Pep Guardiola with ammunition for everything he needs in order to prepare for the 2025/26 campaign. With new additions, the Catalan will likely take the opportunity to mix his line-up around, test new strategies, and build depth to go forward. 

Guardiola previously stated that his rotation plan for starting line-ups at the FIFA Club World Cup season will likely be a reflection of the forthcoming season, where he will involve everyone to ensure the team can play the long game without exhausting physical abilities early on. 

Guardiola still intends to reduce his first-team squad size before the transfer deadline and start of the new campaign, ensuring that his team can play without “sad” faces in the upcoming season.

While City fans have already seen new additions in action, other names have remained absent thus far with Mateo Kovacic excluded from the Club World Cup due to an Achilles injury, while James McAtee, Kalvin Phillips, and Jack Grealish were also missing and are expected to leave.

So far, Manchester City have not announced the departures of any particular players despite Pep Guardiola having mentioned that he would prefer not to have too many players after the transfer window, aside from Kevin De Bruyne’s free exit to Napoli earlier in the summer.