Youth may play a key role in the rebuild for Manchester City | OneFootball

With Manchester City set to continue their rebuild this summer, most of the attention is focused on who City could sign this summer. Players such as Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White loom as targets for the world champions to bolster their squad. But when you look at Pep Guardiola’s squad and what players are in City’s academy system, youth could play a key role in the rebuild for Manchester City.

Manchester City have a host of talented young players who can take the next step.

Looking at Manchester City’s recent nine-game unbeaten run, Nico O’Reilly has played a key role in that run. He’s slotted in at left-back and made the role his own. O’Reilly is an attacking midfielder by trade. But his game has lent itself to playing at left-back of late. Perhaps if Manchester City sign a left-back this summer, O’Reilly could take up a role in midfield next season. Signing a left-back could facilitate O’Reilly’s shift into midfield, which is an option that could be explored by Pep Guardiola.

The same could also be said for Rico Lewis. We saw during Manchester City’s 2-nil FA Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest that Lewis is destined to play in midfield. His ability to play in the pockets and between the lines is elite. Playing in midfield allows him to play to his strengths. Lewis has served his apprenticeship at right-back. It does seem that next season is the time for him to step into a midfield role. Signing a right-back could open up this option for Manchester City.

There is more talent coming through the City academy system.

Manchester City’s under-18 side has had a special season. Although they lost the FA Youth Cup final to Aston Villa, there has been a host of stand-out performers for them this season. Divine Mukasa appears destined to make the step up to the Manchester City first-team sooner rather than later. His skillset as an attacking midfielder looks ideally suited to playing in a Pep Guardiola side. Stephen Mfuni looks to be a prototype Manchester City centre-back. Reigan Heskey is another young player who appears destined for a good career at the highest level at some point. His exploits on the left wing for City’s under-18 side have shown what a prodigious talent he is. They are just three of City’s youth players who look destined to make the step up in time. In the case of Mukasa, that step up to Pep Guardiola’s squad could and should come next season.

Oscar Bobb is another young player who could make an impact next season.

One player who has barely been sighted this season is Oscar Bobb. The fractured leg he sustained on the eve of this season ended what loomed as his breakout season for Manchester City. Provided Bobb is fit next for season he should make an impact for Pep Guardiola’s side during the 25/26 season. Bobb has the talent to do so, so it should be exciting to see him get a run at it next season.

Youth has the potential to play a key role in Manchester City’s rebuild. There are a host of talented young players ready to make a mark at Manchester City. Whether that’s by moving to their preferred positions or by being integrated into Manchester City’s first-team set up. New signings will arrive at Manchester City this summer, there’s no doubt about that. But a host of Manchester City’s young players could help City’s bid to return to the top of the Premier League. That could be exciting to watch unfold for next season and beyond.