Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have confirmed a surprise inclusion in their brand new Premier League squad list for the 2025/26 season.
The surprise in question centres around Kalvin Phillips, who many expected to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer after struggling to cement a role under Pep Guardiola in previous attempts, and a largely unsuccessful loan campaign with Ipswich Town.
Injuries, form, and tactical preferences have all played a part in the England international’s difficult City career so far, but despite transfer speculation and fitness concerns, he will remain part of Guardiola’s plans – at least in the short term, and perhaps only on paper.
Kalvin Phillips underwent Achilles surgery back in May and subsequently missed all of pre-season, fuelling talk of a potential exit before the window closed, with the likes of Leeds United, Lyon, and other clubs across Europe linked with a move.
No such transfer materialised, leaving Manchester City with a decision to make regarding his squad status. The inclusion of the 29-year-old in the official list signals that Pep Guardiola may be prepared to offer him another opportunity in the first half of the campaign.
City’s squad has also highlighted their flexibility, with several high-profile younger names excluded from the senior list due to under-21 eligibility, allowing Guardiola to keep his options open, retaining experienced depth while still being able to call upon emerging talent.
Now, as announced by the Premier League, Manchester City have listed 23 players on their official squad list for the 2025/26 season, with an ability to name up to 25 senior players on their roster.
It must be noted that the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov, Rico Lewis, Savinho, and Nico O’Reilly are included on City’s ‘U21 players (Contract and Scholars)’ list, which also features a number of high-profile on-loan starlets such as Juma Bah, Claudio Echeverri, and Vitor Reis.
25 Squad players (*Home grown)
Ait-Nouri, Rayan
Ake, Nathan Benjamin*
Bettinelli, Marcus*
Bobb, Oscar*
Cherki, Rayan Mathis
Doku, Jeremy Baffour
Donnarumma, Gianluigi
Dos Santos Gato Alves Dias, Ruben
Foden, Philip Walter*
Gonzalez Iglesias, Nicolas
Gvardiol, Josko
Haaland, Erling Braut
Hernandez Cascante, Rodrigo
Kovacic, Mateo
Marmoush, Omar Khaled
Mbete-Tabu, Luke*
Mota Veiga De Carvalho E Silva, Bernardo
Nunes, Matheus Luiz
Ortega Moreno, Stefan
Phillips, Kalvin*
Reijnders, Tijjani Martinus Jan
Stones, John*
Trafford, James Harrington*
U21 players (Contract and Scholars)
Alcala, Alejandro
Alleyne, Max Lewis Rowe
Bah, Abdulai Juma
Braithwaite, Kaden Elliot
Brits, Thorsten Spike
Carrington, Ezra Sheridan
Courtman, Charlie
Dada-Mascoll, Isaiah Jelani Oladele Adedeji
De Oliveira Nunes Dos Reis, Vitor
Dickson, William Steven
Drake, Leke
Dunbar-McDonald, Christian Ky-Andre
Echeverri, Claudio Jeremias
Fapetu, Oluwafemi David Adetayo
Fletcher, Luca George Murphy
Galvez, Tomas Kristian
Gorman, Finlay Ellis
Gray, Charlie George
Grigg, Finley James
Headley, Dante Ferdinand
Henderson-Hall, Matthew James
Heskey, Jaden Emile Tyrone
Heskey, Reigan William Stephen
Holt, Charlie Joe
Hudson, Max
Katongo, Jadel Chanda
Khusanov, Abdukodir
Lamb, Teddie Jack
Lawrence, Emilio Alford Anthony
Lawrie, Freddie John
Lewis, Rico Mark
Martin , Milo John James
McAidoo, Ryan Kelly
McFarlane, Christian Hector
Mfuni, Stephen-Nevin Mutanda
Midwood, Kylan Jo-Aiden Ian
Miles, Harrison Frank
Moreira De Oliveira, Sávio
Mubama, Divin Saku
Muir, Ashton Lee
Mukasa, Divine Tayon Mahogany
Naylor, Sebastian Jacob
Ndala, Joel Tshisanga
Nfonkeu Feuba, Brooklyn
Noble, Kian Lee
Nypan, Sverre Halseth
O’Reilly, Nico
Obin, Yohann Abraham Achi
Oboavwoduo, Justin Oke
Oliver, Dexter Jack
Parker, Harrison Percival
Samba, Floyd Veijeany Junior
Samba, Tyrone Prosper William
Samuel, Lakyle
Sangare, Mahamadou
Simpson-Pusey, Jahmai
Smith, Isaac James
Susoho Sissoho, Mahamadou
Tevenan, Oliver Louis
Thomas, Rhys Lloyd
Vickery, Ben Alexander Slack
Wadsworth, Sam Keith
Wain, Jacob William
Warhurst, Matthew Ethan
Whatmuff, Oliver Jackson
Whisker, Timeo Medard George
Wint, Jack Thomas Charles
The decision to retain Kalvin Phillips may prove crucial across a busy calendar that will demand rotation and depth. With Manchester City competing on multiple fronts, Guardiola may look to utilise Phillips in cup competitions or as a rotational option to ease workload.
Speculation is already mounting that this could be a temporary reprieve, with the January transfer window expected to provide fresh opportunities for both player and club. If Phillips fails to secure meaningful game time before then, City may revisit exit options.
For now, though, the midfielder has been handed a lifeline. His inclusion represents not only a show of faith but also a reminder that in Pep Guardiola’s system, opportunities can arise unexpectedly.