Manchester City must begin planning for their 2025/26 squad with time running out for certain players to have a say in their futures.
With three games left this season, some Manchester City players are running out of time to fight for their futures at the club.
City made Kevin De Bruyne's decision for him, while Scott Carson is the only other player out of contract in the summer after an extra year was triggered in Ilkay Gundogan's deal.
Pep Guardiola admits an overhaul is needed this summer and it's already started with four signings added in January. With more money expected to be spent in the coming months, some players will have to leave to facilitate the new arrivals. Even Guardiola's assertion that bigger squads are inevitable with more games expected of elite clubs won't save some familiar names.
Guardiola's defence appears to take a new form every few weeks. And despite the brilliant form of Nico O'Reilly as a left-back option he will surely not be a long-term solution there. Likewise, if Kyle Walker's City career is coming to an end, a permanent replacement will be needed to avoid Matheus Nunes deputising out of position.
Nathan Ake is back and will hope to remind Guardiola of his qualities after another season of recurring injuries. John Stones may be running out of time to return and make his own case. Nunes will hope to get a cup final reprieve despite dropping to the bench at Southampton yet Guardiola has already ruled him out of a role in the 'middle' which is not ideal for a central midfielder.
Stones is set to miss out with injury and Ake faces a fight to start ahead of Ruben Dias, Manu Akanji and Josko Gvardiol - plus O'Reilly at left-back.
Jack Grealish has started four of the five FA Cup games so far this season, scoring once and assisting three times - yet he remains out of favour with Guardiola and has started just twice outside the competition since the new year. A cup final start would reflect his efforts in getting City to the showpiece, and a winning contribution wouldn't hurt in a season of false starts and chances not taken.
Grealish says he needs a run of games to build momentum yet that isn't possible at this stage of the season. Instead he has to start showing he can impact big games when called upon whether he starts or not.
As Guardiola and Sporting Director Hugo Viana plot their squad for next season, one game is unlikely to sway their thinking. If any game would, though, it is the FA Cup final.
On the other hand, a cup final snub could end any chance of changing their minds.
Content Image
---
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
*And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.*