When Pep Guardiola gazes at his captain, he recognizes a figure who has matched his own impressive collection of medals during their time at Manchester City. Together, they’ve secured 18 trophies, accompanied by Bernardo Silva. However, they are becoming exceptions in a squad where many players lack silverware accomplishments from their time in the City first team, despite the club’s dominance in England over Guardiola’s tenure.
In recent years, an exodus of established stars has occurred, including Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Ederson, Manuel Akanji, and Jack Grealish last summer. Julian Alvarez, Riyad Mahrez, and Aymeric Laporte departed earlier. Over the last year, the team has seen the arrival of a dozen new players. Donnarumma’s addition brought experience as a Euro 2020 and Champions League winner, although the rest of the newcomers are less decorated.
City have also benefited from talented homegrown players joining the ranks. Max Alleyne is slated to make his third appearance for City in the upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United, while Antoine Semenyo’s appearance will also be only his second. These players represent a unique cohort for whom the Carabao Cup represents more than just a trophy—it’s an opportunity to gain crucial experience.
“It’s not just about winning silverware; it’s more about self-awareness,” Guardiola explained. “For many players, it’s important to prove they can achieve victory.” He could potentially field a starting XI that includes up to seven players who have yet to lift a trophy with City, such as James Trafford, Abdukodir Khusanov, Alleyne, Nico Gonzalez, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Semenyo. Although Khusanov was thefirst recruit in the recent transfer window, he only moved from Lens just over a year ago, which partly explains the lack of silverware in his short career.
Meanwhile, O’Reilly was part of the team that secured the Community Shield in 2024, though its value can be debated, and that squad also featured veterans from previous seasons.
Few of Man City’s current squad have experienced winning silverware with the club yet (PA Archive)
A youngster like Max Alleyne would benefit greatly from winning a Carabao Cup (PA)
Guardiola has shifted his attention toward the future following the departures of several key players. Although some athletes celebrated a flurry of wins in 2023, they have been succeeded by individuals eager to achieve their first cup victories but with the talent to secure trophies in the years to come.
“Eighty-five percent of these players will contribute to our future,” he stated. While captain Silva may not be included in that future as his contract approaches expiration, numerous clubs from Europe are showing interest.
Trafford, only 23, may also find himself in a similar situation. “I hope he remains with us for many years; he has the potential to excel at a top club like ours,” Guardiola noted. However, since Donnarumma’s arrival, Trafford has seen a reduction in playing time and may need to seek opportunities elsewhere for first-team football.
Nonetheless, Khusanov, despite a challenging debut against Chelsea, has shown promise and speed. “He’s an exceptional player for our style of play,” Guardiola remarked regarding the Uzbekistan center-back. “His speed has been a valuable asset as we maintain a high defensive line.”
Abdukodir Khusanov has improved greatly since a disastrous debut (Getty)
While Khusanov showcases growth, Gonzalez, who struggled at the end of the last season, has thrived in his role as a substitute for Rodri this season. Cherki and Reijnders have added fresh dimensions to the midfield. However, Rayan Ait-Nouri’s progress has stalled as O’Reilly rises, and Ait-Nouri, who missed a flight while returning from the African Cup of Nations, may not feature against Newcastle. Omar Marmoush, acquired last January, continues to participate in Afcon but is at a disadvantage to regular play following Semenyo’s recruitment, who ranks as one of the top scorers in the Premier League.
As the veteran City stalwarts depart, they are replaced by players who have proven themselves at clubs such as Bournemouth, Burnley, Lyon, and Lens. They all arrive at City eager to validate their worth. Victories in competitions like the Carabao Cup can pave the way for future successes and provide crucial experience.
“A player realizes that if they’ve achieved it once, they can replicate that success,” Guardiola emphasized. “Competing in high-pressure environments like the Bernabeu or Camp Nou builds experience. The more finals and semi-finals a player participates in, the better prepared they become for the future.” As City approaches a time when Guardiola’s influence may wane, his emphasis on preparing the team for what lies ahead signals that this Carabao Cup run may be the beginning of something significant.