Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Manchester City | OneFootball

Ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, we spoke to fans of all 20 clubs to get their views on the upcoming campaign.

Here, we chatted all things Manchester City.

Premier League Preview: The fans’ view – Manchester City

What lessons need to be learned from last season?

The biggest thing for me that I want to see is Pep be bold and trust the new, younger players. Not reverting to type and being too loyal to the old guard. The likes of Gundogan and Bernardo are club legends and undoubtedly have a role to play, but we’ve spent a fortune on new talent in both January and this summer, and, for me, it’s time for them to get their chance.

I think it frustrated everyone last year when January signings like Khusanov, who had a bright start (Chelsea game excluded), were hardly seen from the end of March, or Nico not starting games in a Rodri-less midfield crying out for energy.

What’s your view on the manager?

What can be said that hasn’t already been said? He’s up there with the very best there’s ever been, and I think last year’s failure will only motivate him more.

I’m hoping to see a more dynamic, energetic brand of football, as that’s the way it feels football is going, and we need to embrace it. I was really pleased to see Pep shake up his backroom staff; it tells me he knew changes were needed. Fresh faces and fresh ideas to reinvigorate the squad.

What’s your verdict on the summer transfer window so far?

Feels like a lifetime ago when we did our business! I think the feeling is that it’s been a good window, but possibly could have gone a bit further with our recruitment.

We’ve added much-needed legs in midfield in Reijnders, Cherki looks exciting, and hopefully can go some way to replace KDB’s creativity.

I’ve been a fan of Ait-Nouri for the last 12-18 months, and he looked good in the Club World Cup. It’s nice to have a recognised left-back for the first time in a few years who’s going to overlap and really help out whoever is in front of him. Trafford is an interesting one. I think the consensus across the fan base is we’ve seen Ederson’s best days, so hopefully, he can either push him back to his best or stake a claim to be the number one.

There’s definitely some concern we’ve not signed a right-back, and I think many would have liked to have seen another midfielder, such as Gibbs-White, come in, who we were heavily linked with.

One player to watch from your club this season?

I’m going to go Cherki. I think everyone is excited to see what he can do. A real street footballer with great feet and flair. Not one I’d normally associate as a ‘Pep player’, so it will be interesting to see how he fits in. Cameos in the CWC looked positive

The most underrated player at your club is…

Difficult one when it comes to City, as we’ve been widely recognised as one of the best teams in the world for the last five or so years, so most players have had their fair share of recognition.

I’m going to go a little left field and go with Mattheus Nunes. Given we’ve not signed a right-back in the window and it’s looking increasingly likely he’s going to be our first choice, it’s a make-or-break year for him.

I thought on the whole he did pretty well in a new position last year, and if he can build on that, it may be a big year ahead for him. It would be some turnaround!

The game you’re most looking forward to is…

There are some obvious ones. The Derby, of course, goes without saying, or Arsenal and Liverpool due to recent rivalries, but I’m going to go with the first game of the season, Wolves at Molineux. It’s not so much about who we’re playing but more about the anticipation of the team selection. If I see the usual names, my hopes for the season may just go out the window before a ball is even kicked!

What opposition player do you secretly admire?

Pains me to say it because it’s hard to like anything about Arsenal at the moment, but I’d probably go for Saliba, he’s a top centre-half and gets in any team in the league for me. Hopefully, Real Madrid come knocking in the next year or two and take him over to Spain.

This season your team will finish…

Champions, of course. I think this season is shaping up like it could be a really exciting one. Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal have all strengthened, and I could see a closer title race with more teams involved than we’ve seen in recent history, but I’ve got to back us to come out on top.

Read – A best XI of Premier League transfers this summer

See more – Premier League records that could be broken in 2025/26

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