(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Jonathan Burnett

Sun 10 August 2025 20:21, UK

Pep Guardiola could have an easy decision to make in midfield for Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Wolves.

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Man City‘s 2025–26 pre-season preparations have been delayed by their involvement in this summer’s Club World Cup, which saw them suffer a shock round-of-16 exit to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Chelsea went all the way to success in the final of FIFA’s new tournament, but they’ve already played two pre-season friendlies as Man City ticked off their first encounter of the new campaign against Palermo.

Guardiola utilised 22 players across 90 minutes against the Serie B side with only opening goalscorer Erling Haaland staying on amid a raft of half-time changes, as one substitute staked his starting claims.

Pep Guardiola is in the midst of a massive rebuild at Man City (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Man City have spent over £150million on new signings this summer as Guardiola launches the biggest rebuild of his squad since 2017, and £115m of this went on four new players before the Club World Cup.

Reijnders was the most expensive signing of the spree which saw the Dutchman, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Marcus Bettinelli head to the Etihad Stadium, and he made an immediate impact in Palermo.

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Reijnders came on at half-time and had scored City’s second goal within 14 minutes, before making it 3-0 eight minutes from full-time to showcase his attacking as well as defensive credentials to Guardiola.

Nathan Ake also played out the second half on the left-hand side of City’s defence after several seasons hampered by injury, and he posted on Instagram (10 August) after the result with a message to fans.

Ake posted; “Good time in Italy preparing for the season ahead” as Man City prepare for their trip to Wolves on 16 August, and Reijnders reponded with a comment which said: “Well done!”

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Football Insider Verdict

Although Ake is unlikely to earn a starting spot in the six days before City’s opener given the presence of Josko Gvardiol and new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri on the left-hand side, Reijnders is surely set to feature.

Nico Gonzalez and Nico O’Reilly both started against Palermo having played regular roles as substitutes last season, with Reijnders, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva all pushing to start alongside Rodri.

As Man City’s most expensive signing of the summer so far and proving to be a standout performer in pre-season already, it’s clear that Reijnders is capable of taking the next step to become a regular in Guardiola’s new-look side.
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