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Manchester City won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup last season. The Etihad outfit, though, lost in the final of the Champions League, the first time they reached that stage of the competition.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will undoubtedly want to change that next season. However, Manchester City have not been active so far in the transfer window. They haven't brought in any new signings after almost two months of the transfer window opening.
On the outgoing side, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia both left Manchester City to join Barcelona as free agents. Jack Harrison also joined Leeds United permanently after spending three years on loan at the club, while 22-year-old striker Lukas Nmecha joined Wolfsburg on a permanent deal as well.
Although City have not made any signings, the Etihad club have been strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish. Numerous reports have claimed that Guardiola is interested in bringing the two Englishmen to Manchester City to bolster his attacking options next season.
Manchester City have progressed very slowly on the two targets, though, as the new season approaches. However, there is still ample time to complete the deals, and both men could well be Manchester City players at the start of the season.
On that note, here's a look at how Manchester City could line up next season:
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Ederson has been Manchester City's first-choice goalkeeper since joining the club in 2017. The Brazilian has proved himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the league, making nearly 200 appearances in all competitions for City.
The 27-year-old conceded 28 goals in the Premier League last season, and registered 19 clean sheets. Last season, Ederson won the Premier League Golden Glove award for the second time in as many campaigns, and was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year as well.
Manchester City's other options in goal include the 35-year-old Scott Carson and the USA's Zack Steffen. Both men are expected to serve as backups for Ederson next season, though.
Defence
Right-back: Kyle Walker
The 31-year-old Kyle Walker joined Manchester City in 2017 and has been a mainstay at right-back for Pep Guardiola's side. Last season, Walker made the fewest appearances in the league since he arrived. However, due to a lack of options in the position, the Englishman is expected to keep his place in City's starting XI next season.
Walker made 24 appearances in the league for Manchester City last season, scoring once and assisting once. He also represented England in the European Championship this summer and had an impressive campaign. Walker was voted into the Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament.
His superb performances for England should more or less assure his place in Manchester City's starting XI next season.
Centre-back: Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias joined Manchester City last summer from Portuguese side Benfica. The Etihad side had to dish out €68 million for the centre-back's services while also including Nicolas Otamendi in the deal.
Dias, though, went on to prove why he was acquired for such a large sum, as he steadied the often shaky Manchester City defence. With Dias in the starting XI, City conceded just one goal every game on average.
His superb performances for the side saw him win the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year awards. As well as winning Manchester City's Player of the Season honour, Dias will likely be a starter in the side next season as well.
Centre-back: John Stones
John Stones formed a remarkable partnership with Ruben Dias at the heart of Manchester City's defence last season.
Stones had been a regular for Pep Guardiola's side since arriving in 2016. However, a series of unconvincing performances saw him linked with a move away from the club two seasons ago after making just 16Premier League appearances.
The arrival of Dias, though, proved to be the turning point in Stones' career at City. The Englishman regained the form that had made him the most expensive defender in the world in 2016. With John Stones and Ruben Dias, City went on a run of 16 clean sheets in 20 games across competitions.
His superb performances saw him included in the Premier League Team of the Season. Stones also managed to play himself back into the plans of England boss Gareth Southgate, and was a starter for his country at Euro 2020.
Left-back: Joao Cancelo
Joao Cancelo joined Manchester City in 2019 and had a rather frustrating debut campaign, starting just 13 games in the Premier League. The versatile full-back, though, enjoyed a far better second season, as he made 43 appearances in all competitions.
Cancelo, originally a right-back, can also play at left-back, as he showed numerous times last season. He was also included in the PFA Team of the Season due to his superb performances.
Manchester City have often struggled to find an optimal option at left-back, but Cancelo has since remedied that. The Portuguese should comfortably nail down a starting spot in the team next season.
Midfield
Central midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan enjoyed his best campaign as a Manchester City player last season. The German midfielder was City's top scorer, with 17 goals in all competitions, 13 of them coming in the Premier League.
Gundogan was also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. He featured for Germany in the European Championship this summer and started every group-stage game for the country.
Although he did not have the same impact with Germany, Gundogan should return to the starting XI at Manchester City next season.
Central midfielder: Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has established himself as one of the best players in the world over the years at Manchester City. With over 260 games in all competitions, De Bruyne is Pep Guardiola's crown jewel in a star-studded team.
He made 25 appearances in the Premier League for Manchester City last season, scoring six goals and bagging 12 assists. De Bruyne was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and won the PFA Player of the Year award for a second straight season.
An injured De Bruyne represented Belgium at Euro 2020 with aplomb.
Defensive midfielder: Rodri
Rodri joined Manchester City in 2019 and has been a regular in the side since then, making almost 70 league appearances in just two seasons.
He made the most accurate passes from midfield for Manchester City while also averaging the most accurate long balls per game for the side. The Spaniard was also the midfielder with the most tackles and clearances for City in the league last season.
Rodri represented Spain at Euro 2020, where he made five appearances. With the ageing Fernandinho his only competition for the role, Rodri should keep his place in the starting XI at Manchester City next season.
Attack
Right winger: Phil Foden
Phil Foden forced his way into Pep Guardiola's team last summer with his impressive performances. He went on to make his most starts in the Premier League since his promotion into the City first team.
Foden made 50 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City last season, scoring 16 goals. He was voted the Premier League Young Player of the Season and was also named the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Foden's competition for the starting spot will be stiff next summer, with Bernado Silva and Riyad Mahrez both gunning for the position. Foden should, though, have what it takes to come out on top and keep the role.
Striker: Harry Kane
Harry Kane is quite clearly the best striker in the Premier League at the moment and one of the best in the world. The Tottenham Hotspur captain has gone on to score over 200 goals for the club since making his debut in 2011.
With Sergio Aguero joining Barcelona, Manchester City have made known their desire in signing Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur. Kane himself is open to a move, as he clearly expressed his desire to leave Spurs last season after enduring another trophyless campaign.
Kane was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and was also Tottenham Hotspur's Player of the Year. The 28-year-old was the top scorer in the Premier League last season, and also provided the most assists.
Manchester City have not yet agreed a deal for the striker yet. However, should they manage to do that, Kane would immediately secure a spot in the starting XI.
Left winger: Jack Grealish
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is one of the best players in the Premier League. His performances for Aston Villa in the past two seasons attracted interest from Manchester City.
City are currently in negotiations with Aston Villa over the transfer of Grealish. The Manchester side have submitted a £100 million bid for the midfielder, while Villa are offering their captain an improved contract.
Grealish appeared 26 times for Villa in the Premier League last season, scoring six goals and assisting ten. He was also a part of the England side that reached the final of the European Championship this summer.
Jack Grealish is keen to join Manchester City, and the deal looks like it could well happen. If it does, Grealish will have to compete with England teammate Raheem Sterling for a starting spot. It'd be an intriguing competition Grealish could well win.
