The Athletic FC Podcast Inside Man City's massive rebuild
Jun 16, 2025
Join Adam Crafton, reporting from New York, Jordan Campbell from Philadelphia, and data and tactics expert Thom Harris as they dive into Manchester City's ambitious rebuilding journey. They discuss the team's participation in the Club World Cup and the mixed reactions from American soccer fans. Highlights include strategies for integrating new signings, tactical evolutions post-Kevin De Bruyne, and how recent changes could impact City’s future. The conversation also touches on legal uncertainties and the evolving dynamics within the squad.
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City's Tactical Rebuild Focus
- Manchester City's summer signings show a focus on younger players and a return to balanced squad planning.
- Many new signings are dribblers and 1v1 players, indicating the next tactical evolution for the team.
New Players Fit City's Style
- New signings like Cherki and Aitnori are seen as versatile creative players fitting City's style.
- The plan is to improve build-up play and destabilize opponents earlier with skilled ball carriers.
Revamp Response To Slump
- City had anticipated the need to refresh an aging treble-winning team.
- Last summer they delayed revamp and were shocked by performance drop, prompting this summer's heavy rebuild.