Manchester City 25/26 season preview: The midfield looks stronger but a key player’s fitness could be key | OneFootball

Manchester City kick off their 25/26 Premier League campaign this weekend, with their first match of the season coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s squad looks in good nick ahead of the match. The City defence is packed with quality options, which were covered earlier this week in part one of the Esteemed Kompany preview of the new season.

Here is part two, which is a look at the Manchester City midfield. City’s midfield is packed with quality, but Rodri’s fitness could hold the keys to City’s season.

After a busy summer, the Manchester City midfield looks to have a different dynamic this season.

At the end of the 24/25 season, it was clear that the Manchester City midfield needed to be refreshed. Kevin De Bruyne left the club for Napoli after his contract expired. There was also a need to add goals and more quality to City’s midfield. Both of those needs have been addressed. The summer signings of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki should add both elements that were lacking last season. Reijnders with his late runs into the box and goal sense, will be a weapon for Pep Guardiola’s side. Rayan Cherki, if played as a number 10, could add a completely different dynamic to the Manchester City midfield. Rayan Cherki is one of the top creative players in European football. If he plays in midfield, he could become a significant weapon for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic will again have important roles to play in midfield. As Manchester City’s captain, Bernardo will be crucial to City’s prospects. The Portuguese international will likely play wherever Pep Guardiola needs him to. That will be in midfield and at times on the wing. Bernardo will set the tone for his team. Gundogan and Kovacic will also step in when required. Kovacic is likely out until October due to an Achilles injury. But he figures to be a handy squad player. Ilkay Gundogan will likely play a similar role to Kovacic. However, the hope is that he doesn’t have to carry as heavy a workload as last season.

Nico is another player who should become a prominent player this season. The Spanish midfielder has served his apprenticeship at City after signing for the club from FC Porto in January. He showed against Palermo in Manchester City’s 3-nil friendly win last weekend that he can step into the Rodri role when required. He looks to have a better grasp of what is necessary as a number six. As Rodri works his way back to full fitness, Nico should have a prominent role to play early in the season.

Rodri’s fitness could be a key factor in Manchester City’s season.

Of course, the most significant determining factor in Manchester City’s 25/26 season could be Rodri’s fitness. Rodri missed most of last season due to the ACL injury he sustained against Arsenal last September. Currently, Rodri is working his way back to full fitness. If he can return to his best, there were signs of him doing that during Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign, and stay fit, Pep Guardiola’s side will likely be in contention for honours on multiple fronts next season.

There is also the possibility that Nico O’Reilly, Rico Lewis and Phil Foden play in midfield. Nico O’Reilly is destined to play in midfield after a spell at left-back last season. He adds attributes with his size and athleticism that City’s midfield needs. Rico Lewis has always seemed destined to be a midfielder at Manchester City. That move may come at some point next season. But for right now, Lewis will likely play at right-back. Foden could play a similar role to Cherki, and that could see him return to his best after a tough 24/25 season.

All told, the Manchester City midfield is stacked with options. Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki’s additions add a different dynamic to the midfield mix at City. Their quality combined with what Pep Guardiola’s squad already has, mean that Manchester City’s midfield should be a strong component of their play next season. If Rodri can get back to his best, then Pep Guardiola’s side is a different beast entirely. That’s the million dollar question for Manchester City. Despite having more options in midfield then last season, if Rodri can get back his best it wouldn’t be a surprise to see City contending on all fronts next season.