Manchester City website change hints at shirt number alterations for 2025/26 season | OneFootball

A number of Pep Guardiola’s first-team stars could be subject to shirt number changes for the forthcoming 2025/26 season, with a change to the club’s website hinting at such.

With City’s squad starting to take shape ahead of the new campaign, signs of internal changes are beginning to emerge — including adjustments to squad numbers following temporary alterations for the recent FIFA Club World Cup.

While no official announcement has yet been made regarding shirt allocations for new arrivals or reassignments for existing players, a subtle shift on the club’s official website has caught the attention of eagle-eyed supporters.

The removal of certain shirt numbers from first-team profiles may signal imminent updates not just in branding, but also perhaps in the tactical standing of several of Pep Guardiola’s first-team players.

As fans speculate on possible incoming stars or promotions and alterations from within the club, the latest changes could offer an early look at how Manchester City intend to structure their matchday squads for the months ahead.

As noted this week, the Manchester City shirt numbers worn at the FIFA Club World Cup of Marcus Bettinelli (13), Rayan Ait-Nouri (21), Tijjani Reijnders (4), and Rayan Cherki (29) have now been removed from their club website profiles.

As such, the belief is that all of the first-team quartet – or at least the majority depending on outgoings – could be subject to shirt number alterations as they look to settle into their new surroundings for the foreseeable.

Among the names affected, Cherki’s situation may be the most closely watched by supporters. The French forward has long been tipped to move into a more prominent number — potentially the iconic number 10 shirt, which could become vacant should Jack Grealish leave the club this summer.

Similarly, Tijjani Reijnders — who sported number 4 during the Club World Cup — may yet receive a new number more reflective of his regular starting role in Manchester City’s midfield for the forthcoming season.

The Dutchman arrived from AC Milan earlier this summer and has already made an impressive start to life at Manchester City with strong performances in the United States earlier this summer.

Looking ahead, City could look to confirm all official squad numbers before their pre-season friendly against Palermo in Sicily on August 9. If shirt number upgrades are confirmed, they could offer an early glimpse into Guardiola’s pecking order for 2025/26 — particularly in attacking and midfield areas.