Manchester City kick off their bid to regain the Premier League title this weekend at Molineux. Pep Guardiola’s side will take on Wolverhampton Wanderers to begin the new campaign. The City squad looks to have the quality to bounce back after a difficult and testing 24/25 season. Entering a new season, Pep Guardiola’s squad is stacked with options at the back. But, one glaring issue must be addressed if Manchester City is to prosper on multiple fronts.
The Manchester City squad is loaded with defensive options.
A look at the Manchester City squad shows there are many defensive options for Pep Guardiola to utilise. In fact, there is intense competition for places in Manchester City’s defence.
That competition begins in goal. Ederson will enter the 25/26 season as Manchester City’s number-one goalkeeper. The Brazilian international has been a stalwart for City. But the summer signing of James Trafford indicates that Trafford will become Manchester City’s number-one keeper in time. But Trafford is a highly motivated player and will be eager to take Ederson’s place. That is one battle to watch for next season.
At right-back, it would seemingly be down to Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis for the role. It may be a case of how Manchester City line up for each game as to who starts. Matheus Nunes gives City an attacking option going forward. His overlapping runs from the right-back position and his delivery from out wide are a weapon. Rico Lewis and his ability to invert into midfield will be handy. Manuel Akanji can also step into the role when required.
At left-back, the signing of Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers gives Manchester City a specialist left-back. Ait-Nouri will be a valuable weapon going forward. He can play as an overlapping left-back or invert centrally when required. Ait-Nouri is solid defensively. He looms as a pivotal player. Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol can also play at left-back when required. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Nathan Ake becomes a prominent player at left-back.
The Manchester City squad is loaded with options at centre-back.
At centre-back, the Manchester City squad is loaded with options. Currently, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol loom as City’s first-choice centre-back pairing. The seeds of a strong partnership between the pair were planted at the back end of last season. But there are a host of other options for Pep Guardiola to utilise.
Abdukodur Khusanov, with his pace and strength, should be a prominent player next season. He has the makings of a quality player and should play quality minutes next season. Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake will also do their bit for Pep Guardiola’s side. The wildcard in the equation is John Stones. If Stones can stay fit, he offers something completely different at centre-back.
All told, Manchester City has a host of quality options in defence. If the City defence can form a strong foundation for Pep Guardiola’s side, anything is possible.
Manchester City’s susceptibility to quick counterattacks must be addressed.
Throughout last season, Manchester City’s susceptibility to quick counterattacks stood out. Teams routinely got in behind Manchester City’s high defensive line. That frailty did reveal itself during Manchester City’s 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal at the FIFA Club World Cup. It must be addressed if City are to prosper next season.
To fix that issue it will require a team effort. Manchester City’s midfield lacked legs last season. The loss of Rodri exposed Manchester City’s defence last season. Entering a new campaign, the City midfield does look refreshed. Rodri is working his way back to full fitness. But the addition of Tijjani Reijnders and the fact that the City midfield appears to have more legs should give Manchester City’s defence more cover. There is a lack of pace in Manchester City’s defence, but if the midfield and attacking players do their bit, it should cover that frailty. Manchester City’s defence is a team effort, and that will be interesting to watch play out next season.
The Manchester City defence will be key to Manchester City’s chances next season. All the pieces are there for Pep Guardiola’s side to be strong at the back. The hope is that they can come together and provide the foundation that Pep Guardiola’s side needs to prosper.
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