Manchester City’s midfield has been the backbone of Pep Guardiola’s success since his arrival at the club. Over the years, his midfield has been characterized by technical brilliance, tactical intelligence, and a fluid attacking setup. However, the 2024–2025 season has shown some cracks in the armor, with some of the key midfield figures aging, struggling with form, or dealing with injuries. As a result, there is an increasing likelihood that City will look to strengthen this crucial area of their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.
One of the most pressing issues for Manchester City this season has been the form and age of several key midfielders. With players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva now over 30 years old, questions have arisen about their ability to maintain the high levels of performance required for a team aiming for multiple trophies each season. In fact, even the more youthful Mateo Kovacic, aged 30, has struggled to replicate the consistency that City fans and Pep Guardiola had hoped for when he signed him from Chelsea.
The age factor has been particularly evident in the performances of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. While both players remain incredibly talented and capable of moments of brilliance, their physical decline has become apparent. De Bruyne, who turns 34 in June, has suffered from multiple injuries and is no longer the same dynamic force in the middle of the park. His once-explosive bursts of energy are now tempered by the demands of age. Similarly, Gundogan, at 34, has seen his influence wane, particularly in games where pace and agility are vital.
Another significant concern is Mateo Kovacic, who at 30, was expected to be a key player in the pivot alongside Rodri. The Croatian international, however, has had a mixed season. His transition into the role vacated by the injured Rodri has proven difficult. Replacing someone as integral as Rodri was always going to be a tough ask, and Kovacic has not yet shown the consistency needed to be a regular fixture in Guardiola’s side. This has left a gap in City’s midfield, especially in their defensive midfield setup, an area that Guardiola values highly for his tactical setup.
The situation with Phil Foden is equally troubling. After a stellar season in 2023, Foden has found himself struggling for form this year. Tony Cascarino recently labeled Foden as “unrecognizable,” and it’s fair to say that the young Englishman has not kicked on in the way many expected. He has failed to build on his excellent performances from the previous season, and his inconsistency has been a point of concern. This is particularly disappointing given Foden’s immense potential and previous form under Guardiola, where he looked set to become one of the best players in the Premier League.
With these midfield issues persisting, it’s clear that Manchester City needs to freshen up the squad, especially with some of their most important midfield players beginning to lose their edge. The question now is: who can City target to bolster their midfield in the summer?
In an effort to rejuvenate the squad, City has already made some steps toward lowering the average age of their squad by bringing in young players like Nico Gonzalez. The 23-year-old has arrived as a promising talent, but it is too early to judge his impact as he is still settling in at the Etihad Stadium. However, the club’s interest in further strengthening their midfield highlights the need for a new wave of talent that can combine with the experience of the current squad.
City’s management has already set their sights on a few key targets for the upcoming transfer window, including a few potential midfield reinforcements. Among the names being linked with a move to Manchester City, there are some exciting prospects that could complement Guardiola’s philosophy while also addressing the aging concerns in the current squad.
Initially, it seemed that Tijjani Reijnders, the 26-year-old AC Milan midfielder, would be the ideal candidate to strengthen City’s midfield. Reijnders, known for his sublime technique, ability to carry the ball forward, and defensive intelligence, was highly rated by Guardiola’s coaching team. He was seen as someone who could maintain the high standards in midfield that City expects, particularly in terms of his ball-carrying and work rate.
However, Manchester City’s hopes of signing Reijnders were dashed when the Dutch international extended his contract with AC Milan, committing to the Serie A club until 2030. This contract extension came as a major blow to Manchester City’s transfer plans, as Guardiola had personally identified Reijnders as a potential solution to the club’s midfield woes. Despite the setback, City must now turn their attention to other midfield options, and fortunately, there are several promising candidates available in the market.
One of the most exciting young midfielders currently on Manchester City’s radar is Florian Wirtz. The 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has been a revelation in the Bundesliga, showcasing his incredible talent, vision, and playmaking ability. Wirtz has all the attributes that would suit Guardiola’s tactical system—his passing range, creativity, and ability to dictate the tempo of a game make him a natural fit for City.
Wirtz has shown his potential at the highest level, and his style of play would be a perfect complement to the likes of Rodri and De Bruyne, especially as City moves away from relying solely on aging players in central midfield. The young German international is contracted to Leverkusen until 2027, which may present an obstacle to any potential transfer, but it’s clear that he is a player who is likely to be in high demand. Manchester City will have to act quickly if they wish to secure Wirtz’s services before other top clubs show interest
Another player linked with Manchester City is Xavi Simons. The 21-year-old, who has impressed at PSV Eindhoven this season, is one of the brightest young midfield talents in Europe. Known for his creativity, dribbling skills, and vision, Simons has the potential to add a new dimension to Manchester City’s midfield. His style of play, which includes the ability to drive at defenses and pick out key passes, fits perfectly with Guardiola’s preference for dynamic and fluid midfielders who can break down opposition lines.
However, Simons’ future is uncertain, with Liverpool currently leading the race for his signature. As such, City will need to act fast if they want to land the young Dutchman, whose contract runs until 2027. Despite the competition, Simons is undoubtedly a player that would fit seamlessly into Guardiola’s system, making him a player worth pursuing.
While City’s primary focus will likely be on attacking midfielders, there is also a potential defensive midfield option that could be worth exploring: Ederson, a 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder currently playing for Atalanta. Though his name is somewhat unconventional for a defensive midfielder, Ederson’s all-around skill set and work rate make him an intriguing option. The Brazilian is known for his defensive solidity, tactical awareness, and composure on the ball, which could make him a reliable option to partner with Rodri or Kovacic in the future.
Ederson has a contract with Atalanta until 2027, but Manchester City’s previous interest in him, coupled with his ability to adapt to Guardiola’s system, suggests that he could be a potential signing in the summer transfer window
In addition to improving the quality of their starting midfield, Manchester City’s injury problems this season have shown the need for greater depth in this area. Rodri’s long-term injury, which has kept him out for much of the season, has proven to be a significant blow for City. The Spaniard’s defensive presence and ability to control the tempo of the game from deep are unparalleled, and his absence has been felt more than any other injury this season.
Given this, Guardiola may seek to add more depth to his midfield in the summer, not just for the present, but also to build for the future. The addition of quality, versatile midfielders would help safeguard City against further injuries, while also providing the necessary rotation options for the rigors of a demanding season across multiple competitions
With the summer transfer window approaching, Manchester City’s midfield will undoubtedly be an area of focus for Pep Guardiola. While players like De Bruyne, Gundogan, and Silva have served the club well, their advancing years mean that City must look to the future and secure the next generation of midfield stars. The likes of Florian Wirtz, Xavi Simons, and Ederson could represent key additions to City’s midfield, offering a mix of youth, creativity, and defensive nous that would complement Guardiola’s philosophy.
Although the departure of Tijjani Reijnders to AC Milan was a significant setback, City’s extensive scouting network and financial might mean that they will not rest on their laurels. Whether it’s one of these targets or another emerging talent, Manchester City will be looking to strengthen their midfield and ensure they remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions for years to come.
