Manchester City are undoubtedly in a great place on the pitch and manager Pep Guardiola’s contract extension gives us a clearer view of the project in the medium term. We don’t expect a big summer, but they’ll need to make some moves at the back, especially in light of the way he has reshuffled the formation this year as well as certain players getting older and perhaps not fitting Pep’s plans the way they used to. Ilkay Gundogan will need to be replaced, and they need to continue their succession planning in attacking midfield, as Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva aren’t getting younger.
Their academy keeps churning out youngsters who may not have a future at City but can fetch considerable transfer fees. Last season, they transferred four players — goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, midfielder Romeo Lavia, winger Samuel Edozie and defender Juan Larios — to Southampton for a combined total of nearly £40m. That’s important in balancing the books.
The main uncertainty going forward, now that Guardiola has committed to the club, is the Premier League charge for violations of financial sustainability regulations. It could result in a massive fine or even relegation; it could lead to a slap on the wrist or a full exoneration. We simply don’t know and we don’t know the timeline either. So while it remains bubbling in the background, it’s not something you can consider when asking who to keep, who to extend and who to move on.
Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of stories over the coming weeks applying the same “who to keep, who to extend and who to move on” approach to all the top clubs in the Premier League and Europe.
GOALKEEPERS
Ederson (29 years old, contract expires in 2026)
MARCOTTI: No reason to think of a new contract now; he’s locked up and they’re in a good place.
OGDEN: I agree, though the only thing I’d say is he has had his erratic moments this season.
Verdict: Keep
Stefan Ortega (30, 2025)
MARCOTTI: He has started most of the cup ties and a couple of Champions League group-stage games and hasn’t done much wrong. Presumably he’s OK being a backup after many years as a starter. There’s no need to extend his contract, for now at least, since he’s obviously not going to be Ederson’s long-term replacement.
Verdict: Keep, but do not extend his deal
Zack Steffen (25, 2025)
OGDEN: He has been at Middlesbrough on loan and has had a good season in the Championship. Clearly, he wants to be a No. 1 with a view towards the 2026 World Cup, so the best thing for City to do is cash in. And Middlesbrough, especially if they get promoted, are likely to spend over market value in order to acquire him.
Verdict: Find him a new club
