KEV: I WANT US TO GET EVEN BETTER!
WHAT MIGHT CITY’S ROSTER LOOK LIKE IN FOUR YEARS?
YOU can’t accuse City of shorttermism.
One thing that the current regime have consistently got right has been the long-term planning of tying down key players. The news this week of Kevin De Bruyne’s new deal until 2025 is the latest example of extending the contracts of important players long before their existing deals expire.
The result means if anyone wants to leave, City have time to find a successor and get some money for their investment. Just look at Leroy Sane’s departure to Bayern Munich last summer. Similarly, City had the choice to accept money for Eric Garcia but decided there was more value in keeping him.
Now De Bruyne has committed his future until 2025, the Belgian should remain at the Etihad for ten years. As he said himself, only Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho remain from when he arrived six years ago, and his new deal represents some consistency throughout the Pep Guardiola era and beyond. Here, we’ve looked at the players who are under contract until at least 2025, giving a glimpse into what the City squad could look like in four years time – led by De Bruyne.
Goalkeepers
Ederson is a key part of how City play, and is one of eight players under contract until 2025. The Brazilian is firmly first choice, and that doesn’t look to be changing until Pep Guardiola leaves. He will be 32 by the end of 2024/25, but an extension past that date isn’t impossible.
Zack Steffen, current number two, is under contract until 2023.
Defenders
City are well-stocked in defence – an area they have been short in until this season. Ruben Dias is the only City player currently contracted until 2026, with Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake on deals until 2025. John Stones, approaching the last year of his deal, looks in line for an extension that might take him to 2025 to join the other three centre-backs. Stones, Ake and Laporte will all be 30 in 2025, while Dias will be 27.
Joao Cancelo, a key man this season on both sides of the defence and in midfield, is another contracted until 2025, where he could be the first-choice right back after Kyle Walker’s deal expires in 2024 when he is 34. Aleks Zinchenko is currently at the club until 2024, while Benjamin Mendy is under contract until 2023. Taylor Harwood-Bellis could have a stronger role in the first team if his deal is extended past 2024.
In terms of new signings, perhaps a full-back or two for cover might be needed.
Midfielders
With De Bruyne’s extension, City’s future midfield looks more secure, as Bernardo Silva was the only current senior player set to be at the Etihad for 2024/25 from the central areas. Rodri and Phil Foden are on deals until 2024.
Ilkay Gundogan, on a deal until 2023, would turn 34 in the 2024/25 season, so if he were still at the Etihad, a replacement would need to be found at some point, similar to the situation that will face De Bruyne.
Youngster Tommy Doyle signed a deal until 2025 earlier this season, when he will be 23, and hopefully coming through to replace
the ageing players like De Bruyne as well as adding more of a homegrown flavour to the squad.
Attackers
The final player definitely contracted until 2025 is Ferran Torres, who has made a promising start to life at the Etihad since his value £20m move.
Raheem Sterling is contracted until 2023, and an extension to 2025 would take him to 30 years old as a City player. Riyad Mahrez, who would turn 34 that season, also has two years left after this season, as does 23-year-old Gabriel Jesus. Youngster Cole Palmer is contracted until 2024, while Liam Delap’s deal currently expires in 2023.
A new striker is a priority this summer, and any contract would likely be a long-term one.