Brennan: How City’s squad may look in 2025
A look at Manchester City’s youthful squad provides a clue as to how they could line up in 2025.
As detailed by MEN Sport’s Stu Brennan, City have reduced the age profile of their squad by roughly four years since Pep Guardiola’s arrival.
And City have reason to believe they will still be a force in five years with a clutch of emerging talent setting them up for long-term success.
Goalkeeper Ederson has Zack Steffen and Gavin Bazunu for back-ups, while there are high hopes for Yan Couto, Kyle Walker’s understudy at right-back.
Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte are 23 and 26 respectively, while 18-year-old Juan Larios could be the left-back of the future.
In midfield, Rodri, Phil Foden and Ferran Torres may all be at their peak in 2025, while further up the pitch Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus will be 30 and 28.
Martinez provides De Bruyne update
Kevin De Bruyne was substituted in Belgium's defeat by England as a precaution as he was not feeling 100 per cent, handing City a new injury concern.
De Bruyne was in fine form for his country at Wembley, as Belgium dominated much of the first half in the Nations League clash, despite England keeping the score at 1-1 at half time.
Mason Mount's deflected goal on 65 minutes would ultimately secure an important win for England, with the Three Lions' cause helped on 73 minutes when the influential De Bruyne was replaced.
The City midfielder then had an animated conversation with Belgium manager Roberto Martinez on the touchline before taking his place in the stands.
And Martinez revealed after the game that De Bruyne was taken off as a precaution as he was not feeling right, suggesting the player will be assessed to discover the full extent of any problem.
"I would not say that Kevin is injured. He said he felt something. It is too early to know what he has, but he did not feel a hundred percent. It was rather a precautionary change," Martinez said.
