Manchester City's New Season: Not a Budget Story, But a Squad-Building Question

Manchester City's new season story begins from a strange place. After the final home match last May, the fatigue on Pep Guardiola's face as he stood in the dugout was not just about one season. Based on my years of watching matches, a team's rebuild is never just about buying new players; it is about asking new questions of every frame, every season, and every transfer market. This summer, City's squad planning makes that question sharper. First, a factual caution is necessary. Recent reports have mentioned Enzo Maresca as City's coach, and predicted XIs have included names like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marc Guehi, or Rayan Cherki. The mention of Como in a Champions League context and the inconsistency of RB Leipzig's claimed fourth consecutive win alongside heavy defeats all clearly indicate the information has not been verified. I do not treat these as confirmed facts but as unverified claims, and I build the analytical framework on that basis. To understand the real picture, we must return to the start of the season. Guardiola's City has long operated within a specific possession-based structure, where full-backs invert into midfield, wingers pin wide, and central midfielders receive in the half-spaces. But last season, cracks appeared in this structure. Rodri's injury, Kevin De Bruyne's age-related decline, and constant changes at the striker position combined to weaken the team's transition defense. When opponents launched quick counter-attacks, City's midfield line often collapsed. Now the question is, what is City doing this summer? At first, it seemed they were looking for a striker. But a deeper look reveals the real problem is not the striker. Last season, City's biggest weakness was losing midfield control. Especially when opponents pressed high, City's build-up got stuck. The solution could be a defensive midfielder who can receive the ball, distribute quickly, and stop opponent counters. However, City's behavior in the transfer market suggests they are still busy looking for a striker. In my view, this is a wrong priority. Last season, City's goal count did not drop; the problem was defending against opponent attacks. If they buy a striker but do not strengthen the midfield, the same problem will recur in the new season. Here lies a curious aspect. Guardiola's City has long succeeded with a 'false nine' or 'no central forward' approach. But last season, excessive dependence on Erling Haaland developed. When Haaland was injured, City's attack often looked lost. This means City's attacking structure is still Haaland-dependent, even though Guardiola always prefers multi-faceted attacks. I watched the same thirty seconds of footage until the pattern confessed. Last season, City had a specific problem: when opponents attacked down their left side, City's right-sided midfielder often lost position. Because he went forward to join the attack, leaving space behind. Opponents exploited this gap for quick counters. To solve this problem in the new season, City has two paths. Either they buy a defensive midfielder to cover that space, or they teach their current midfielders when to attack and when to stay back. The second path is time-consuming but cheaper. The first can deliver quick results but costs more. Here is my counter-argument. Many believe City's main problem is defense. I believe the real problem is the slow pace of attack. Last season, City's average goals per match was below 2.3, significantly lower than Guardiola's early seasons. Because the team kept possession but could not inject speed into attacks. When opponents sat deep, City passed sideways repeatedly but could not penetrate. The solution could be a dribbling-capable winger who can break down defenses single-handedly. But City's current squad has Jérémy Doku, who can do this. However, he needs to be more consistent. One thing to keep in mind: a transfer is not just a transaction; it is a hypothesis about time, space, and trust. If City invests in the wrong position this summer, they may struggle in the new season. From my long experience, I add another point. In 2026, when I analyzed Bangladesh's matches, I saw teams often buy players for the wrong positions. Because they make decisions based on stats, not footage. The same danger exists for City. If they buy a striker just by looking at goal numbers, the problem will persist. In my view, City should focus on two areas this summer. First, a defensive midfielder who can stop opponent counters. Second, a fast winger who can break down deep defenses. Not a striker. But here, a human limitation must be mentioned. In Guardiola's system, new players take time to adapt. So whoever arrives this summer should not be expected to deliver instant results. Ultimately, the question is: Has City correctly identified their weakness? Or are they still making the old mistake—chasing what is easy to see while avoiding what is actually the problem? The first few matches of the new season will provide the answer. I always believe the wizard does not predict the future; he maps the variables that make it likely. For City, those variables are midfield control and attacking speed. If both are right, a title challenge is possible. If not, no matter how expensive this summer's transfers, there will be no gain.