The 37 minutes that said everything
There weren't many Manchester City players who emerged from the Community Shield with any credit. A 3-0 defeat to Arsenal tends to have that effect. But among the general grimness, one cameo stood out.
Marc Guehi played 37 minutes of the second half. He was, by some distance, City's best defender on the day. It was a glimpse of what he offers, and why he might be more important than the headline signings this summer.
A different kind of leader
Guehi arrived from Crystal Palace in January and made an immediate impression on Pep Guardiola's back line. Now, heading into the 2026-27 campaign, his role under Enzo Maresca looks set to grow further.
He is not a demonstrative presence in the Ruben Dias mould. There will be no screaming at teammates or theatrical gestures. Instead, Guehi leads quietly. He was Palace's captain before the move, and that experience matters at a club still searching for new voices in the dressing room.
City need leaders to emerge in this new era. Guehi should be one of them, even if he has only been at the club for less than a year.
Composure at the back, calmness on the ball
At the heart of his game is composure. Whether defending his own box or playing out from the back, Guehi brings a steadiness that City's rearguard has occasionally lacked. He is a calming influence, and that is a quality Maresca will need to tap into.
His presence appears to lift those around him. Abdukodir Khusanov, in particular, is a better player with Guehi alongside him. The pair could form the basis of something solid for years to come.
If you were picking City's strongest defence on paper, Guehi should be in it. He is a proven centre-back at the highest level, and his leadership will be vital as the season unfolds.
The late arrival for preseason, after his efforts for England at the World Cup, means he is still building towards full sharpness. But the early signs suggest his importance will become clear very quickly once the campaign gets underway.