The FA Community Shield gave us an indication of what Manchester City and United could do in their pre-season leading up to the 2024-2025 Premier League season. Fortunately for some players, it was a great chance for them to stand out and show that Pep Guardiola should put them in the starting eleven heading into the new season.
However, for others, it was a trying game that highlighted why they may not be in the starting eleven for much of the upcoming campaign. For Manchester City, Pep only needs the best of the best — he is looking to win the league (yet again), win the Champions League, and continue with the run of winning domestic trophies in England.
Manchester City: Winners
One of the lesser-known players in City’s squad is James McAtee, a young player who spent last season on a successful loan spell at Sheffield United. The academy graduate has come through the ranks and has started every match for Pep’s team since returning from Sheffield. He can consistently play a high number of minutes, string together passes in the midfield, and attack the final third with pace and pressure.
Another player who made a positive impact during the match was Oscar Bobb, another young academy graduate who is continually pushing to break into the squad. Unlike McAtee, who gained valuable experience on a loan deal last year, Bobb decided to stay and try to get minutes for the first team. He made 14 appearances last season and hopes to improve on his playing time in 2024.
He has been a mainstay in the starting eleven during pre-season, with Pepp stating that his quick change of direction, hard-working attitude, and values make him a huge asset for the team.
The third ‘winner’ for Manchester City is Savinho, a last-minute replacement for Doku who was signed during the summer transfer window. After Pep spent almost $40 million for the player, this was the first time he took the pitch with the Mancunian aside — and he impressed.
Manchester City: Losers
One of the losers that stood out from the FA Community match was — as you could have guessed — Kelvin Phillips. The man who made the move from the North of England to Manchester City a couple of seasons ago has all but been forgotten. The Lancashire Pirlo is now just a benchwarmer for Pep’s side, having gotten very few minutes since his transfer. He has lost his confidence, fitness, touch, and his spot in the England side after moving to City. It looks as though departing City is his only option to regain the skills he once had.
Another loser from the game was Jack Grealish. Despite having a perennially positive attitude, great skills on the wing, and the ability to draw fouls in the box, Grealish has never quite lived up to the immense price tag from Villa that broke all records. He struggled for form last season and has come into pre-season for City ‘not fully fit’.
Lastly, Ortega looks like he will be a man who will be riding the bench for the rest of the season. Unlike other field players who have a chance to make it into the squad based on performance and injury, it is quite rare that a goalkeeper is changed throughout the season (bar a bad injury or one-week suspension). Ortega should consider going somewhere else besides Manchester City to get more playing time.
Manchester City has an amazing starting eleven — and an amazing bunch of substitutes who are among some of the best in the world. Pep Guardiola has a hard decision to make when it comes to the first game of the 2024-2025 Premier League campaign.
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