City's 2024/25 recap: Defenders | OneFootball

Continuing our look at the players involved in our 11-month long 2024/25 first team campaign…

Starting with our Community Shield lift last August, City played 61 times across all competitions through to our Round of 16 elimination at the FIFA Club World Cup.

This time around, we focus on our defenders, with a snapshot of their campaign plus playing stats…

Ruben Dias

Total appearances: 44

Goals scored: 0

Assists: 0

Ruben Dias played the second most games of our defenders last season.

The Portuguese had more defending to do than in recent seasons given our mid-season dip, but he went about his business in his usual committed style.

Injuries meant he shared central defence with several partners, so he will be hoping for a more settled partnership next season.

Nathan Ake

Total appearances: 20

Goals scored: 0

Assists: 0

An injury-hit campaign for our popular Dutch defender.

Appearance-wise, it was Nathan’s fewest starts since his first campaign in sky blue with just 20 and is all the more disappointing following a career-best 44 the season before.

A fit Ake is always a huge benefit for Pep Guardiola and the Netherlands international will be looking to put a frustrating 12 months firmly behind him.

Josko Gvardiol

Total appearances: 55

Goals scored: 6

Assists: 2

Our Etihad Player of the Season, Josko Gvardiol couldn’t have done much more in 2024/25.

With more appearances than any other first team member, the Croatian began the campaign at left-back before moving across to his more favoured position of centre-back.

It is no coincidence that Josko’s move into central defence ran parallel to our upturn in form, and his partnership with Ruben Dias was blossoming in the run-in with only seven goals conceded in our last 11 Premier League games.

Matheus Nunes

Total appearances: 43

Goals scored: 4

Assists: 11

Converted from midfield to right-back, Matheus Nunes grew in stature and confidence as the season progressed.

As the Portuguese learned the demands his manager was placing on him, his performances continually improved.

He chipped in with vital goals and assists, and added zest to our attacking forays down the right flank and shows all the promise of becoming a top specialist right-back.

John Stones

Total appearances: 20

Goals scored: 3

Assists: 2

The loss of John Stones for two-thirds of the campaign was a huge blow to Pep Guardiola.

The classy central defender was dogged by niggling issues throughout the campaign, with the England star ruled out of the final four months of the campaign.

When he did play, he was his usual calm, collected self, effortlessly moving from defence into midfield and chipping in with the odd crucial goal.

Everyone will be hoping Stones returns with a clean bill of health and can celebrate a decade of service in style.

Kyle Walker

Total appearances: 18

Goals scored: 0

Assists: 0

Our former skipper played his part in our early-season form and looked set for another fine campaign.

Few would argue that a Kyle Walker in full flight was a fearsome sight for any player and that the England right-back has been one of the best in his position for more than a decade.

Walker accepted an offer from AC Milan last January and spent the remainder of the campaign in Italy before joining Burnley on a permanent deal earlier this month.

Nico O’Reilly

Total appearances: 20

Goals scored: 5

Assists: 5

In a frustrating campaign on many levels, the emergence of Nico O’Reilly was an undoubted high.

The youngster was utilised as an emergency left-back and enjoyed a wonderful second half to the season, chipping in with important goals and assists along the way.

Not bad for a player who had never really played in that position before, and O’Reilly looks set to be in and around the first team for many years to come.

Rico Lewis

Total appearances: 44

Goals scored: 2

Assists: 2

A typically energetic and industrious season for Rico Lewis, who matched Ruben Dias’ 44 appearances in 2024/25.

A player whose versatility is a huge part of his game, Lewis played many games at right-back, but also appeared in midfield and wherever the manager demanded.

Another solid campaign for one of our homegrown stars.

Manuel Akanji

Total appearances: 40

Goals scored: 0

Assists: 0

Manuel Akanji clocked up two-thirds of our 61 matches in appearances, but like several of his fellow defenders, he suffered with injury from time to time.

The Swiss star undoubtedly made himself available while carrying knocks to help the team out, and a summer break (of sorts!) will no doubt be of great benefit to this hard-working centre-half.

Vitor Reis

Total appearances: 4

Goals scored: 0

Assists: 0

There weren’t too many opportunities for Vitor Reis to impress during his first six months at the Club.

But when called upon, he looked composed and classy and will benefit from a pre-season and the time he has already spent with his new team-mates.

Signed very much with an eye on the future, Reis looks an excellent addition to our first team squad.

Abdukodir Khusanov

Total appearances: 10

Goals scored: 1

Assists: 0

After a nervy start on his debut against Chelsea, Abdukodir Khusanov quickly became a crowd favourite for his performances thereafter.

An excellent reader of the game, with the ability to spot danger early and act upon any threats, Khusanov is likely to go from strength to strength as time goes by and is likely to see plenty of first team action next season.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

Appearances: 6

Goals: 0

Another Academy graduate who took his opportunity to impress, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey gained vital experience in 2024/25 and looked unfazed and calm whenever he played.

The PL2 Player of the Season , still only 19, will hope to gain further senior experience next season and continue his football education whenever the opportunity arises.