This year s investment has reached nearly 400 million euros! With the lineup reconstructed, Guardiola Manchester City is aiming to regain the Premier League and the European Championship

Signed Reindez, from the winter window in January to the summer window that just started in June, Manchester City's investment in signings this year has reached nearly 400 million euros!

The four major players were all gone last season, and Manchester City immediately began the lineup reconstruction, which can also be said to be the youthful revolution in the post-De Bruyne era.

Midfield core replacement: After De Bruyne left the team, Manchester City signed Dutch midfielder Reindes in AC Milan for 70 million euros. His ability to cover the entire game (the top three in Serie A per game) is regarded as the key to filling the gap in creativity. At the same time, he gave up Werz (inclined to join Liverpool) and instead locked in the 22-year-old Lyon's new nuclear Cherki (transfer fee of 42 million euros), marking the launch of the midfield's youth strategy.

West upgrade: The joining of left-back Nuri ended the embarrassment of the midfielder's guest appearance as a fullback, and his assault ability will release Haaland's firepower.

Revenue and expenditure strategy: 225 million euros were signed in the winter window, including Marmush, Nico Gonzalez, and four others, and 150 million euros were spent to introduce Reindez, Nuri and Cherki. This year, it has spent 375 million euros. However, last season, by selling players such as Alvarez (75 million to Atletico Madrid), Cancelo (25 million to Saudi Arabia), Drapp and other players, he achieved a net income of 140 million euros, becoming the only club in the five major leagues to make a profit of over 100 million yuan.

Salary slimming: clear off redundant combat power such as Gallish (only 7 Premier League starts last season), Stones (redundant central defender position), Phillips, free up salary space and avoid the risks of the Fiscal Fairness Act (FFP). Currently, the remaining space for PSR (profitability and sustainable development rules) is still 324 million pounds.

Although it only won third place in the Premier League last season, Manchester City still ranked first in the 2025-26 Premier League championship with an odds of 1.95, leading Arsenal (3.75) and Liverpool (9). This confidence comes from Guardiola's contract renewal to 2027, Haaland's contract renewal to 2034, and system stability (Guardiola won the league championship in 11 seasons in his career).

Key shortcomings:

Goalkeeper crisis: Ederson has only one year left in his contract and tends to leave the team, and substitute Ortega is uncertain in the future; Rodri's dependence: his serious injury last season caused the midfield to lose control, and new aid Nico Gonzalez has not yet been proved to be completely replaced; tactical running-in risks: new cores such as Reindez and Cherki need to adapt to the Premier League rhythm, and a younger lineup may sacrifice short-term stability.

Championship competition pattern: Liverpool defends the title vs. Arsenal evolution

Liverpool: The defending champion retains the core framework of Salah + Van Dijk, but Alexander Arnold may transfer to Real Madrid, and the midfield hardness is doubtful; Arsenal: After two consecutive runner-ups, the top scorer is urgently needed (relying on Saka + Odegao last season), if the forward line is strengthened, it can threaten Manchester City; dark horse variables: Newcastle (League Cup champion + 22 goals in Isaac) and Villa (Champions League quarter-finals) may disrupt the situation.

Manchester City's "gold dollar slimming" strategy (high investment + high output + youth) makes it ahead of its opponents both in both financial and competitive levels. But the real suspense of next season is: Can the new midfield core in the post-De Bruyne era fulfill their expectations? If the Reindez-Cherki combination quickly integrates into the system and cooperates with Haaland's finishing efficiency, Manchester City will remain the biggest favorite in the Champions League and the Premier League; on the contrary, goalkeeper vacancy and Rodri dependence may become a fatal crack in the championship. This innovation is destined to be another big bet in Guardiola's coaching career.