Manchester City’s Midfield Dilemma: Eight Players Competing for Two Spots

Manchester City have spent heavily to reinforce their midfield in 2025, creating fierce competition for starting spots during the FIFA Club World Cup.

The club’s official squad list for the tournament includes 27 players—with a notable imbalance: 14 midfielders and just two forwards. It evokes memories of Pep Guardiola’s early managerial days at Barcelona, where dominance through a midfield-heavy squad was his signature tactic.

While City’s formation has evolved over his nine years at the Etihad, the current lineup shows just how midfield-focused the team has become. Only Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland are listed as forwards. Even attacking wingers like Jeremy Doku and Savinho are registered as midfielders, as are Oscar Bobb, Matheus Nunes, and Nico O’Reilly—players who occasionally filled in at full-back last season.

Even excluding wide attackers, the central midfield area is still crowded. With Mateo Kovacic sidelined due to injury, the upcoming tournament in the United States will be a crucial phase to assess who steps up ahead of the new season.

Who Starts Alongside Rodri?

Rodri remains a guaranteed starter when fully fit, though he may not feature heavily in the early Club World Cup fixtures. The bigger question lies in who partners him in midfield.

Veterans like Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva offer experience, though their future roles are uncertain. Gundogan struggled upon returning, while Bernardo had an underwhelming season. With new signings brought in, their positions are far from secure.

One of the early 2025 signings, Nico Gonzalez, was once dubbed a “mini Rodri” by Guardiola. Yet after a promising start, he faded—starting only once in the last seven games. The summer offers him a chance to reignite his City career.

Meanwhile, £46m signing Tijjani Reijnders, a versatile box-to-box player, has joined from AC Milan and taken Kalvin Phillips’ former No. 4 shirt. He’s expected to contend seriously for a place alongside Rodri, especially in more balanced midfield setups.

Attacking Midfield Options

Further up the pitch, the competition intensifies. Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are likely to fight it out for the more advanced midfield role, though Omar Marmoush is also in contention, having played there occasionally last season.

Foden, once considered Kevin De Bruyne’s natural successor, struggled last term but still holds promise. Cherki, similarly versatile, can operate both centrally and on the right flank, potentially interchanging roles with Foden throughout games.

Marmoush, City’s £59m acquisition, boasts impressive stats and the flexibility to fill in both behind and ahead of Haaland. His value and form suggest he will feature prominently during the campaign.

What Lies Ahead

As City prepare for the Club World Cup, Guardiola faces a welcome selection headache. With Rodri the only certainty in midfield, others will have to fight to earn their spots in what promises to be a defining preseason tour in the United States.