Pep Guardiola’s Dream Man City Starting 11 With Four January Signings.
The 2024/25 season may not have gone to plan thus far for Manchester City, but if their January activity is anything to go by, Pep Guardiola and co have no interest in resting on their laurels. The Cityzens have gone from winning the Premier League title four years running to being outside the top four and going on one of their worst runs in recent memory.
With key players like Kyle Walker asking to explore new challenges, combined with their disappointing form, it has become abundantly clear that the Sky Blues are in need of a revamp if they want to regain their dominance. And that’s exactly what they’ve done.
Guardiola has already pinpointed stars that he wants to bring in to freshen things up. Victor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Andrea Cambiaso, and Omar Marmoush are all high on the Catalan’s wishlist as part of a rebuild, while Erling Haaland has also committed his future to the club by signing a monstrous new deal. With such a shuffling around of talent on the cards, GIVEMESPORT has decided to take a look at what The Mirror believe could be the possible XI that Manchester City start with for the rest of the season should they secure the services of all of Guardiola’s dream targets.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Gvardiol, Andrea Cambiaso
With a new goalkeeper seemingly not on the horizon, Guardiola will continue to pick from Stefan Ortega and Ederson in between the sticks. While it seems as though the American has been the preferred choice of late, his Brazilian counterpart’s quality when at his best is well known. If Ederson can find that level again, he will be able to hold on to the number one spot as he has done for several years.
Walker’s drop-off and desire to leave means that there are big shoes to fill at right-back. While Rico Lewis is their long-term heir to the throne, taking the pressure off the youngster and letting the more experienced Manuel Akanji handle business for the remainder of the season may be the best move. On the opposite flank, the potential arrival of Juventus’ Cambiaso will finally provide City with some much-needed balance on the left, which has been missing for some time.
Cambiaso at full-back would allow Josko Gvardiol to move centrally, where he can prove he is just as strong, having made a name for himself further wide. When fit, the Croatian would likely be joined by Ruben Dias. However, the Portuguese’s return date from a lower leg injury is unknown, and if this continues to plague him, it would allow for Khusanov to come in immediately while Reis waits in the wings.
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden
The midfield remains unchanged from what Guardiola currently has at his disposal. The one obvious exception is Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, whose absence due to an ACL injury continues to haunt his side. While Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan are actually the two City midfielders with the most Premier League appearances this term, neither factors into the best XI needed to provide the team with the right balance.
Former Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic has been the best deputy for Rodri thus far and would allow Kevin De Bruyne to focus on creating big chances for his teammates in a way that only he can. Of course, fitness concerns are also a factor in the Belgian’s availability.
Ahead of them sits Phil Foden, who has not come close to the PFA Player of the Year-winning level that he showed last season. However, a recent double against Brentford signals that things are beginning to turn for the Englishman as he looks to take things up a gear for the remainder of the season.
Attack
Savinho, Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush
The central striker position is sorted and appears to be the case for the next decade, so no need to debate Haaland’s inclusion. Out wide is a different story, as no winger has done enough to say they definitely deserve to start every week at the Etihad.
Savinho’s been the biggest threat on the right-hand side, and with Akanji likely to be playing as an inverted full-back behind him, it will help that the Brazilian is capable of holding the width a little more and can take on defenders in one-on-one scenarios.
As for the left, Jeremy Doku doesn’t fit the typical Guardiola winger mould, as the Belgian is incredibly direct and doesn’t have the same composure in the final third. Jack Grealish looks to be completely out of favour, with his stats being comparable to Manchester United flop Antony. This would allow Marmoush to swoop in and immediately stamp his authority on the position should he complete a move from Frankfurt.
All statistics courtesy of Premier Injuries and Transfermarkt – accurate as of 18/01/2025.