Man City – Best Player, DC Magnet + Other

So many Manchester City players to be chosen in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) – and so few of them are nailed!

Cityzens became the spotlight for our latest fantasy team.

In this guide, we will try to determine City’s best FPL options for the coming season.

We will also try to predict their line-up for Gameweek 1 (which is easier to say than to do …), check the strengths and weaknesses on the field, assess the opening equipment, detail their top players for defensive contributions (DC) and more.

Data and graphics in this article come from our members or statsbombs, with whom we are once again partnering in 2025/26.

Fantasy managers can gain access to the wealth of statistics, as well as ordinary OPTA statistics, new defensive contribution points (DC), recalculate points from last season, exclusive articles, transfer planners, tools and applications, with discounts on membership of the scout head today!

Man City: Reasons to be cheerful

Signing to note

City have supported their troops with arrival Tijjani Reijnders (£ 5.5 million), Rayan Ait-Nouri (£ 6.0 million), Rayan Cherki (£ 6.5 million) and James Trafford (£ 5.0 million) this summer.

Ait-Nouri is very interesting, because there is quite a lot of confirming Pep Guardiola’s preferences to return to conventional wing-backs.

Reijnders offers options that arrive late into the box, while Cherki immediately adds creativity to City midfield.

There are some important changes in the coaching staff as well, with Pep Lijnders brought to replace Juanma Lillo.

Lijnders, who work under Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool, has a reputation for high -intensity emphasis and attackers.

Rodri returned … not enough

With Stem (£ 6.5 million) Back from injury, you will expect City defense and in-special games to increase.

The Spaniard played only 72 minutes of Premier League football in 2024/25 before breaking his ACL in Gameweek 5. The importance of City was captured in the trendline of goal that Statsbomb (XGC) was expected: Trendline:

The winner of the Ballon d’Or will not return to full fitness until after the international break in September, but when he does it, it will be a big encouragement.

And what about Phil foot (£ 8.0 million)? He has time this summer and will be discouraged to reclaim its shape before the FIFA World Cup next year.

Man City: The reason to be afraid

Disappointing 2024/25 campaign

City finished third in 2024/25, 13 points adrift of Liverpool champions.

Nine their defeats in the Premier League are more than the previous two seasons.

They were also eliminated earlier than the UEFA Champions League and the League Cup, and their defeat in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace means there is no silver for the first time at the age.

“This season is difficult, a difficult year. We struggle a lot in the Champions League, we are not solid or consistent. Being more complicated, because seven, eight, or nine teams can qualify [for the Champions League]. ” – Pep Guardiola

The underlying numbers cause further concern: Third for the expected purposes (XG) and seventh for XGC.

There is a considerable gap between Arsenal and Liverpool too:

Above: The team was sorted by XG conceded in 2024/25

Get out of Bruyne