Shifting the guard
It has been an eventful 2026 for Manchester City. Two domestic cups were won, but the Premier League title slipped away. Pep Guardiola announced his departure after a decade in charge, and both John Stones and Bernardo Silva followed him out of the Etihad. Enzo Maresca has since been confirmed as the new manager, tasked with leading a new era.
There is a changing of the guard happening, both on the pitch and in the dugout. The midfield is being revamped. Bernardo Silva has left, Rodri's long-term future is in doubt with 12 months left on his contract, and neither Nico Gonzalez nor Tijjani Reijnders have made the desired impact.
City have already completed a club-record £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, as reported by David Ornstein. Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi appears to be the other midfield target, with Sam Lee previously reporting for The Athletic that City are interested. The club is clearly looking to cement its midfield for the foreseeable future.
A duo with plenty left in the tank
The midfield has been experienced for years. When Kevin De Bruyne left for Napoli, he had nearly 300 Premier League appearances and was 33. Bernardo Silva was a vital contributor over nine years. Mateo Kovacic is well into his 30s. It feels like the right time to replenish with younger players, a trend that has held for several windows.
Anderson is Premier League proven and arrives as one of the elite midfielders in the league, with potential to become one of the elite in Europe. Bouaddi is 18 and looms as a midfielder who could form a vital component if City manage to sign him from Lille following the World Cup.
If City could sign Bouaddi alongside Anderson, they would immediately have a midfield combination that could become the foundation of the club's next era. Bouaddi's age and big-stage experience, coupled with Anderson's work rate and technical ability, would strengthen an area that looked like a concern for the cup holders.
Anderson's ceiling
Anderson's ceiling is what made him the must-have signing of the summer. He went straight into England's starting XI for their World Cup campaign, and Thomas Tuchel clearly appreciates his talents. Anderson shone for Forest last season and is a vital player for his country.
That he is almost a shoo-in for England in what is a midfield golden generation for the Three Lions is reason enough for City to have pursued him so furiously. If he can continue to grow alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, there is no limit to the levels he could reach. If he is not yet world-class, it seems extremely likely he will be soon.
Declan Rice acts as a talisman for Arsenal. The same can be said for Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid. Elliot Anderson could be that man for Manchester City. He fits the profile, and he and Bouaddi could form a strong midfield combination for years to come if the summer transfer plans come together.
Final thoughts
All of this depends on whether City sign Bouaddi from Lille this summer. But if they can land the Moroccan sensation to complement Anderson, the midfield will be well set for the future. That appears to be the plan, and if it comes together, Enzo Maresca will have a tantalising midfield unit to work with next season.