Despite making only two signings in the summer transfer window, Manchester City have one of the strongest squads in world football.
Pep Guardiola’s side still remain the outright favourites to win the Premier League and one of the prime contenders to win the Champions League.
In the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, Manchester City would also be fancied to come out on top but their progress depends on how they play on the day and the fitness of the squad.
But all factors point to City having yet another cracking season.
However, their competitors in England and in Europe would have made some of their signings with the intention of getting an edge over the Sky Blues.
After having brought Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan to the Etihad Stadium, the make-up of Manchester City’s strongest XI has encountered a change.
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The best Man City XI after the transfer window includes Savinho and Gundogan
In between the sticks, Ederson Moraes’ decision to stay at Manchester City will be one that well and truly benefits the club this season as his value to the team’s style of play combined with his own pedigree makes him an enviable goalkeeper to have on the books.
With the kind of form Rico Lewis is in coupled with how City seem far more fluid every time he is on the pitch, he could be his boyhood club’s best right-back at current instead of Kyle Walker — who has become quite sloppy in possession and has struggled defensively since last season.
At centre-back, while Manuel Akanji is currently starting and remains a top player, the duo of John Stones and Ruben Dias remains one of the best in the business.
Considering how well Josko Gvardiol did at the backend of last season while also factoring how excellent he has looked at the start of the ongoing campaign, it is hard to look past him at Manchester City’s best option at left-back currently.
The fact that Pep Guardiola feels Rodri deserves to win the Ballon d’Or speaks volumes of the calibre of midfielder he is while his importance to the side goes without question.
The last time Gundogan was a Manchester City player, he was a starter in their midfield due to providing a sense of control and defensive solidity while also being able to contribute with key goals; a blend Bernardo Silva does not provide due to him not having the German’s goalscoring instincts.
As a result, the former Barcelona midfielder should perhaps start over the 30-year-old in the middle of the park.
The fact that Savinho merits being a regular starter at Manchester City already is a testament to how brilliant he has been so far — combining directness, flair, creativity and relentless work rate to the table in a way no other winger at the club perhaps can.
Up front, Erling Haaland’s place in the side is self-explanatory — with him continuing to strengthen his claim as one of the best goalscorers in the world.
Often last season, Phil Foden’s name was placed out wide but in reality, he was given the license to roam into the middle of the park.
Josko Gvardiol would often occupy the width and allow Foden to play more centrally; a tactical ploy that could be on display once again during the 2024/2025 season.
Manchester City’s strongest XI after the summer transfer window: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Savinho, Haaland, Doku
