So many Manchester City players to choose from in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) – and so few of them nailed!
The Cityzens go under the spotlight for our latest Fantasy team preview.
In this guide, we’ll attempt to pinpoint City’s best FPL picks for the upcoming season.
We’ll also try to predict their line-up for Gameweek 1 (which is easier said than done…), examine the strengths and weaknesses on the pitch, assess the opening fixtures, detail their top players for defensive contributions (DC) and more.
The data and graphics in this article come from either our Members Area or Statsbomb, with whom we are again partnering in 2025/26.
Fantasy managers can get access to the wealth of Statsbomb numbers, as well as the usual Opta stats, new defensive contribution (DC) points, recalculated points from last season, exclusive articles, transfer planner, tools and app, with a discounted Chief Scout membership today!
MAN CITY: REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
NOTEWORTHY SIGNINGS
City have bolstered their squad with the arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders (£5.5m), Rayan Ait-Nouri (£6.0m), Rayan Cherki (£6.5m) and James Trafford (£5.0m) this summer.
Ait-Nouri is particularly interesting, as it pretty much confirms Pep Guardiola’s preference to return to conventional full-backs.
Reijnders offers an option arriving late into the box, while Cherki instantly adds creativity to City’s midfield.
There have been some notable changes in the coaching staff as well, with Pep Lijnders brought in to replace Juanma Lillo.
Lijnders, who worked under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, has a reputation for high-intensity pressing and attacking play.
- READ MORE: FPL new signings: What can we expect from Reijnders at City?
- READ MORE: FPL new signings: How will Ait-Nouri’s City move impact Gvardiol?
- READ MORE: FPL new signings: Can Cherki be City’s new De Bruyne?
- READ MORE: FPL new signings: Will Trafford start over Ederson?
RODRI IS BACK… JUST NOT QUITE YET
With Rodri (£6.5m) back from injury, you’d expect City’s defence and in-possession play to improve.
The Spaniard played just 72 minutes of Premier League football in 2024/25 before rupturing his ACL in Gameweek 5. His importance to City is captured in StatsBomb’s expected goals conceded (xGC) trendline:
The Ballon d’Or winner won’t return to full fitness until after September’s international break, but when he does, it’ll be a massive boost.
And what about Phil Foden (£8.0m)? He’s had some time away this summer and will be desperate to recapture his form ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup.
MAN CITY: REASONS TO BE FEARFUL
DISAPPOINTING 2024/25 CAMPAIGN
City finished third in 2024/25, 13 points adrift of champions Liverpool.
Their nine losses in the Premier League was more than their previous two seasons combined.
They were also eliminated early from both the UEFA Champions League and League Cup, and their defeat in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace meant no silverware for the first time in ages.
“The season has been difficult, a tough year. We struggled a lot in the Champions League, we weren’t solid or consistent. It’s becoming more complicated, as seven, eight, or nine teams can qualify [for the Champions League].” – Pep Guardiola
The underlying numbers raise further concerns: third for expected goals (xG) and seventh for xGC.
There was a pretty sizeable gap between Arsenal and Liverpool defensively, too:
Above: Team sorted by xG conceded in 2024/25
DE BRUYNE’S EXIT
