Anyone who follows English football knows that keeping track of a squad as deep as Manchester City’s can feel like a full-time job. The confirmed facts about the current squad, the injury situation, and the biggest talking points ahead of the 2025/26 season are all tied to reliable sources so you can separate reality from noise.
Current squad size (first team): 25 players ·
Top scorer (all competitions 2024/25): Erling Haaland – 52 goals ·
Longest-serving current player: Kevin De Bruyne (since 2015) ·
Average squad age: 26.5 years
Quick snapshot
- 25 senior players registered via Premier League
- Goalkeepers: Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson (Premier League)
- Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Josko Gvardiol (Premier League)
- Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Phil Foden (Premier League)
- Forwards: Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Julián Álvarez (Premier League)
- Kalvin Phillips ruled out (Achilles) – no return date (Premier Injuries)
- Mateo Kovacic ruled out (heel tendon) – no return date (Premier Injuries)
- Claudio Echeverri ruled out (ankle) – 2–3 weeks (Premier Injuries)
- Rodri and John Stones being assessed (knee and thigh) (Premier Injuries)
- Bernardo Silva linked with departure (The Athletic)
- Donnarumma speculation remains unconfirmed (talkSPORT)
- Omar Marmoush interest reported (The Athletic)
- Future manager search for Pep Guardiola ongoing? (The Athletic)
Five facts that define the squad’s current baseline.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Pep Guardiola | Premier League |
| Stadium | Etihad Stadium | Wikipedia |
| Current Captain | Kyle Walker | Wikipedia |
| Top Scorer (all-time) | Sergio Agüero (260 goals) | Wikipedia |
| Most Appearances | Alan Oakes (680 appearances) | Wikipedia |
Who is the 11 player in Man City?
Jersey numbers often carry history, and City’s number 11 is no different.
Current squad number assignments
- Jeremy Doku currently wears the number 11 shirt for Manchester City (Premier League squad list).
- Other notable wearers of the number 11 include Jérôme Boateng (early 2010s) and Aleksandar Kolarov (2010–2017).
Doku took over the shirt at the start of 2024/25, and his dribbling stats — among the top in the league — are making it his own.
The pattern: number 11 has been a non-striker attacking player for most of City’s modern history. Kolarov was a left-back, Boateng a center-back, but Doku is the first pure winger to wear it since the 1990s.
The history of the number 11 shirt at Manchester City
- Historically worn by forward players like Paul Lake and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
- In the 2000s, it was occasionally unassigned or used by squad players.
- Current holder Jeremy Doku wears it as of 2025/26 (Premier League).
Who is the 17 year old player in Man City?
Ryan McAidoo: the 17-year-old talent
- Ryan McAidoo is a 17-year-old attacking midfielder who has been included in matchday squads for the first team (Wikipedia).
- He joined his family in the stands after a match, a moment that gained media attention.
- No official squad number has been assigned yet.
City’s investment in academy talent is paying off: McAidoo is one of several teenagers making the leap, with club sources hinting at a potential senior debut next season.
Other young players in the squad
- Rayan Cherki (signed from Lyon, June 2025) — 21 years old (Wikipedia).
- Tijjani Reijnders (signed from AC Milan, June 2025) — 26 years old.
- Claudio Echeverri (19) is currently injured but part of the long-term plan.
Why is Silva leaving Man City?
Bernardo Silva’s transfer situation
- Bernardo Silva has been linked with a move away from Manchester City for several transfer windows (The Athletic).
- Pep Guardiola publicly stated: “Bernardo hasn’t told me he is leaving” (The Athletic).
“Bernardo hasn’t told me he is leaving.”
Pep Guardiola, via The Athletic
Pep Guardiola’s comments
- In summer 2023, Silva expressed a desire to leave for personal reasons (The Athletic).
- As of late May 2026, no official transfer request has been submitted.
The implication: Silva’s future remains uncertain. Guardiola’s public stance keeps the door open for a stay, but the player’s desire to explore new leagues — particularly La Liga — hasn’t faded.
Who is injured in the Man City Squad?
Current injury list for Manchester City
- Kalvin Phillips — ruled out (Achilles), no return date (Premier Injuries).
- Mateo Kovacic — ruled out (heel tendon), no return date.
- Claudio Echeverri — ruled out (ankle/foot), 2–3 weeks.
- Rodri — being assessed (knee) (Premier Injuries).
- John Stones — being assessed (thigh).
Injury data from third-party trackers can lag behind official club updates. For live availability, always cross-check with the club’s own press conferences.
Impact of injuries on squad depth
- Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri have had prior injury issues but are currently available (Fantasy Football Scout).
- With Phillips and Kovacic out, City’s midfield depth is thinner than last season.
The pattern: when Rodri or Stones miss time, the rotation relies on players like Rico Lewis or John Stones in hybrid roles. Guardiola’s system is adaptable, but long-term injuries to key midfielders would test the squad’s resilience.
Who is Man City’s top striker?
Erling Haaland: the leading striker
- Erling Haaland is Manchester City’s top striker (Premier League).
- He scored 52 goals in the 2022-23 Premier League season, a record.
Haaland’s goal tally dropped slightly in 2024/25 (still 52 across all competitions), but his presence forces defenses to commit extra markers, creating space for wingers like Doku and Grealish.
Haaland’s goal scoring record
- All-time Premier League: 87 goals in 96 appearances (Premier League).
- 2025/26 season: 22 goals in 24 league matches (as of late May).
Timeline signal
Key events in Manchester City’s recent history:
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | Bernardo Silva expresses desire to leave |
| Summer 2024 | City sign Jeremy Doku |
| June 2025 | City sign Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri |
| 2025 | Ryan McAidoo makes matchday squad |
| 2025 | Pep Guardiola comments on Silva’s future |
| 2025 | Donnarumma rumors circulate |
The timeline shows a period of transition with key departures and signings. The biggest uncertainty remains Guardiola’s long-term future and Silva’s possible exit.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Erling Haaland is the top striker (Premier League)
- Pep Guardiola is manager (Premier League)
- Ryan McAidoo is a 17-year-old youth player (Wikipedia)
- Jeremy Doku wears number 11 (Premier League)
What’s unclear
- Bernardo Silva’s future at the club
- Whether Gianluigi Donnarumma will join
- Exact injury return dates for Phillips, Kovacic
- Omar Marmoush potential transfer
- Who replaces Pep Guardiola when he leaves
What this means: Fans should treat confirmed facts as reliable information while keeping an eye on the unclear items as they develop.
Quotes
“Bernardo hasn’t told me he is leaving.”
Pep Guardiola, via The Athletic
“Haaland is a generational talent.”
Pep Guardiola, via Premier League press conference
These statements from Guardiola highlight the club’s stance on Silva and Haaland.
The bottom line for Manchester City fans and fantasy managers: the squad is deep but has a few cracks. Injuries to Phillips and Kovacic limit rotation options, while Bernardo Silva’s future hangs in the balance. For anyone tracking their fantasy team or placing a bet on City’s next title, the implication is clear: monitor the injury updates closely, or risk losing points from unavailability.
For fans looking ahead, the Manchester City predicted lineup offers insights into how Guardiola might line up his star-studded squad in the coming fixtures.
Frequently asked questions
How many players does Manchester City have in their first-team squad?
25 players as registered with the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.
Who is Manchester City’s captain?
Kyle Walker is the current club captain.
What is the highest transfer fee paid by Man City for a player?
Jack Grealish – £100 million in 2021.
Who is the youngest player to debut for Man City?
Kelechi Iheanacho at 17 years 47 days.
How many times has Manchester City won the Premier League?
8 times (as of 2025).
Who is Manchester City’s all-time top scorer?
Sergio Agüero with 260 goals.
Are there any new signings expected in the 2025 summer window?
Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Aït-Nouri have been signed; further moves depend on departures.
The answers above provide quick reference for common queries about the squad.
Jack Lawson is Senior Reporter at Aussie Briefly, covering breaking stories and explainers.