Manchester City are gearing up for the new Premier League season, and significant changes are afoot as they finalize their official 25-man squad by the transfer window deadline.
While the summer transfer window has been relatively quiet for City, the squad will look quite different this season. Julian Alvarez and Sergio Gomez have departed, bringing in over £70 million for the club. New signing Savinho will join the first team directly, contrary to earlier plans to loan him out.
In terms of squad composition, City must navigate the 25-man roster regulations. Of the 25 players, up to 17 can be ‘non-homegrown’—players not trained in England or who did not come through an English academy. Players born on or after January 1, 2003, are considered under-21 and do not need to be listed.
Last season’s under-21s, Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol, will now be included on the main squad list, effectively replacing Alvarez and Gomez. Savinho remains eligible as an under-21 player for the next two seasons due to his age.
James McAtee, now 21, will be added to the main list as a homegrown player. Although McAtee will not see as many minutes as he did on loan at Sheffield United last season, Pep Guardiola has confirmed his place in the squad.
Oscar Bobb remains eligible as an under-21 player for another year, while Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly have two and three years of under-21 status left, respectively. Maximo Perrone, if not loaned out, will also count as an under-21 by just six days.
Currently, City can submit a 19-man squad, with 14 players classified as non-homegrown. This leaves room for potential new signings if Guardiola decides to bring in additional talent.
Kalvin Phillips and Joao Cancelo are likely candidates for loan or sale, but no transfers are imminent. Should they remain, Phillips, being homegrown, could help balance the squad, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand, who impressed on tour, might also be added to the main list.
Probable Man City Premier League Squad: Akanji, Ake, Carson, De Bruyne, Dias, Foden, Grealish, Haaland, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Nunes, Ortega, Ederson, Stones, Walker, McAtee*, Doku, Gvardiol
Selected Under-21 Players: Lewis, Bobb, Savinho, O’Reilly, Perrone
