The Athletic FC Podcast Will Wirtz headline Man City's summer rebuild?
May 6, 2025
Join Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee and writer Phil Hay as they dissect a challenging season for the club. They delve into Pep Guardiola's summer rebuild, discussing key transfer targets like Florian Wirtz and the need for strategic signings. The duo explores the rising talents from City's academy, highlighting how youth players are balancing the squad amid injuries. They also touch on financial strategies that come into play as the club prepares to regain its competitive edge in the Premier League.
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Early 2024 Rebuild Began Slowly
- Manchester City needed a rebuild from January due to poor performances and injuries, despite having an okay team on paper.
- January signings were mostly for the future and peripheral to the first team, not immediate starters.
Tactical Shift to Midfield Overload
- City's recent unbeaten run is due to Guardiola's tactical shift, mainly a 4-2 formation with many midfielders covering space.
- Veteran players like De Bruyne and Bernardo saw resurgence by filling spaces, contributing to regained stability.
Nico O'Reilly's Versatile Talent
- Nico O'Reilly, usually a fullback, impresses with his versatility, also playing as a number eight and ten.
- His creative and nimble style resembles Rico Lewis, making him a promising City academy product.