4 players who could play huge roles at Man City during 2024/25
- Man City embarking on latest Premier League title defence and plotting European glory
- Key midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Phil Foden will be crucial to Cityzens' hopes
- Erling Haaland set for another goal-laden campaign
Manchester City will set out at the start of the 2024/25 season with the intent of retaining their Premier League crown and regaining top spot in Europe, too.
Pep Guardiola's Cityzens eventually powered their way to a fourth title in a row by overtaking Arsenal in the final months of the campaign, with some of their most trusted stars coming up with huge moments of quality when it mattered most.
It's been a pretty quiet summer transfer window for the English champions and their squad may not change too much before the start of the season. So which players will be key for City as they aim to repeat their treble heroics from 2022/23?
1. Kevin De Bruyne
When Kevin De Bruyne was downed by injury at the very start of the 2023/24 campaign, instant fears began to set in among City fans. So often the orchestrator of City's title wins over the year, a hamstring blow kept the Belgium international sidelined until January as Arsenal claimed top spot during his absence.
In his first league game back, De Bruyne came off the bench to score and assist one goal apiece, earning City a dramatic comeback win at Newcastle United. He finished the term with four goals and ten assists in just 1,228 minutes of league action.
He's not getting any younger at 33 years of age and, with his contract expiring next year, it could be the last season to enjoy De Bruyne shredding defences with his expert passing and precise shooting.
2. Rodri
Rodri's record of avoiding defeat while playing for City is the stuff of legend. In last season's Premier League, Rodri didn't lose a single one of the 34 games he played, totting up eight goals and nine assists in the process.
The Euro 2024 winner is crucial in his holding midfield role, controlling the tempo of matches and breaking up attacks when necessary, and is arguably City's most important player.
Manager Guardiola has spoken of his fear of City starting the season slowly and it's not ideal that Rodri will have played a very small amount of the available minutes in pre-season, but the 28-year-old is in his peak years and won't fancy tasting defeat any time soon.
3. Erling Haaland
It was always unlikely that Erling Haaland would be able to match his ridiculous tally of 36 goals from his debut campaign the second time around, but the Norwegian behemoth still walked away with the Premier League's Golden Boot for his 27 efforts.
He's such a physical specimen that mid to lower table teams frankly can't contain him at his best. When City are in full flow, that also supplies Haaland with a buffet of chances to feast upon.
The former Borussia Dortmund star has shown he can score all types of goals and few would argue he won't record another mesmerising haul in 2024/25.
4. Phil Foden
When De Bruyne was ruled out for half a season, City had to look to another midfield genius for inspiration as they went about their title defence.
It turned out to be season of true growth for Phil Foden, who struck 19 times in the Premier League and another five in the Champions League, picking up a litany of player of the season awards for his efforts.
The England star suffered international heartbreak with his national team but can now use that disappointment as fuel at club level.
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