Once again in his Manchester City tenure, Pep Guardiola will need to oversee something of a squad rebuild this summer, with the treble-winning side of 2023 looking to have perhaps run its course.
When the Catalan coach arrived through the door in 2016, he inherited an ageing side that also needed revamping, with the likes of Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero slowly being phased out over the next few years.
History looks set to repeat itself in the present day, albeit with there more likely to be a swift mass exodus this time around, rather than a gradual transition.
Of those who helped the Citizens to treble glory less than two years ago, Kyle Walker has since moved out on loan to AC Milan, while reports have indicated that both Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne could follow suit at the end of the season.
A new goalkeeper could also be on the cards, while 2023 arrival, Mateo Kovacic, has also been heavily linked with a return to Spain, amid interest from former rivals, Atletico Madrid.
Kovacic-Man-City
It also remains to be seen whether long-serving star, Bernardo Silva, will finally secure a long-awaited exit, with the Portuguese playmaker having endured a muted campaign at the Etihad.
Bernardo Silva's future at Man City
Once again, those of a City persuasion head into a summer window anticipating speculation surrounding the former Monaco man, with the 30-year-old having repeatedly been linked with an exit in previous years.
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan celebrate after the match
As per The Athletic, the midfielder's contract - which is set to expire next year - is now 'dealt with on a summer-by-summer basis due to his previous desires to leave', with a move to Barcelona having long been touted.
Perhaps, the £300k-per-week star will actually depart this time around, with recent reports indicating that he may have even agreed terms over an exit, with Paris Saint-Germain viewed as a likely destination.
That potential switch to the French capital would bring to an end what has been a magical eight-year spell with the Citizens for Silva, with Guardiola memorably lauding the diminutive talent as "one of the best players [he's] ever seen" back in 2023.
Since signing on a £43m deal back in 2017, the Lisbon-born genius has racked up 69 goals and 69 assists in 394 games in all competitions, playing a vital part in the string of major honours that Guardiola and co have claimed.
Bernardo Silva's PL decline
Stat (*per game)
Games
Goals
Assists
Big chances created
Key passes*
Pass accuracy*
Tackles*
Interceptions*
Successful dribbles*
Stats via Sofascore
For all his majestic quality, however, Silva's impact has been limited in 2024/25 it must be said, having contributed just three goals and four assists in all competitions, albeit while largely operating in a deeper role.
Even though he has previously been described as "irreplaceable" by his manager in the past, now might actually be the perfect time for City to cash in, with the club already boasting the ideal replacement.
Man City's in-house Bernardo Silva replacement
It's fair to say that the Etihad outfit aren't short of creative talents who could fill the shoes of Silva in the side, with Guardiola blessed with a raft of young stars, namely Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb and James McAtee.
In the pipeline
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That said, one man who could represent the "ideal successor to Bernardo" - as per analyst Ben Mattinson - is recent arrival, Claudio Echeverri, with the 19-year-old making his belated move to Manchester earlier this year.
The highly-rated Argentine was actually signed by City from River Plate back in January 2024, on a £12.5m deal, although he was immediately loaned back to the club for the year.
Now officially confirmed as a Man City player, the teenager is still waiting to make his first appearance for his new side, albeit while having been pictured pitchside for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brighton.
Guardiola had previously teased that he would like to introduce the Argentina U20 international before the end of the season, or ahead of the Club World Cup, albeit with it set to depend on how quickly Echeverri can adapt.
"He's here soon. He is going to start to train. Maybe for the end of the season, maybe for the World Cup and as soon as he arrives he can adapt quick for the future."
City supporters may not have seen much of their new man yet, although, in the words of Mattinson, they now have a "proper superstar" on their hands, with talent scout Jacek Kulig previously suggesting that the playmaker is "destined for greatness".
Much like Silva, Echeverri has typically operated in an attacking midfield role in his career thus far, having recorded four goals and eight assists for his former employers, from 48 senior outings.
Eccheverri-Man-City-Premier-League
It will take time for the teenager to adapt to life in his new surroundings, although if he can follow in the footsteps of another ex-River Plate star, Julian Alvarez, then the Citizens could well be on to a winner.
Phil Foden Related
[Man City lost "superb" star for £0, now he's worth £100m & outscoring Foden](https://www.footballfancast.com/manchester-city-must-regret-losing-michael-olise-hes-outscoring-olise/ "Man City lost "superb" star for £0, now he's worth £100m & outscoring Foden")
As Phil Foden continues to endure a miserable season at Manchester City, the Sky Blues must regret losing a "superb" £100-rated superstar for free.