Man City had to leave the World Cup Club sooner than expected. The 3-4 defeat against Al Hilal in the 1/8 round made them carry the suitcase back home, although the previous visit helped them avoid Real Madrid.
The 5-2 victory over Juventus in the final round of the group stage not only helps the Green Man top, but also creates great opportunities to go deep. They overwhelm Al Hilal in the half of the knockout match, but then collapsed and was eliminated bitterly. That made Pep Guardiola and his students have more time to rest, but also left many things to ponder before the new season.
Some players have shown very well over the past few weeks, strengthening the position in the squad. But there are also people who are disappointed, raising questions about the future. Here are the winners and defeats from Man City's Club World Cup campaign.
Winter
Bernardo Silva
Silva played outstanding throughout the tournament, but his victory was largely from the position in the team. Before the tournament, Silva's future was suspected, but Guardiola handed the captain's armband that made him one of the indispensable pillars.
The Portuguese star has extinguished all rumors to leave and is trusted to play a key role in the next season, regardless of whether or not to play often.
Tijjani reijnders
The most prominent rookie of the summer transfer window, and is probably the most impressive contract of 2025. Reijnders played quite well in the debut and became more and more excellent in the following matches. He quickly integrated, showing calmness and creativity in the middle.
The player who used to be the best midfielder Serie A last season is gradually proving that he is the ideal heir for Ilkay Gundogan. The minutes of competition with Rodri showed a very promising combination.
Rodri
Despite the end of the World Cup by having to leave the field due to signs of physical instability against Al Hilal, Rodri is still considered a bright spot. The main kick against Juventus was better than expected, and overall, the tournament helped him regain the feeling of serious injury. That is a very positive signal for Man City before the new season.
Phil Foden
Although Man City has a ups and downs, with Foden, this is an optimistic signal. After a 2023/24 season, both physically and mentally exhausted, Foden is finding a smile and a familiar sharpness.
He scored in 3/4 matches, of which the beautiful equalization after the assist of Rayan Cherki in the match against Al Hilal was the peak. For the first time in many months, people found Foden full of energy whenever there was a ball.
James French
Although not a player, the new coach of this fixed situation quickly impressed the team thanks to the simple and clear communication. Although there is still a point to improve (such as the situation of Koulibaly escaping with people and heading goals), in general, Man City has scored many goals from dead balls – showing the imprint of French is positive.
Defeat
John Stones
Guardiola apologized to Stones after losing to Al Hilal for not being able to launch him as expected. That makes the British center -back is the only player out of 27 players outside the goalkeeper not to play at any minute, while trying to return after injury.
Although Stones affirmed the desire to continue to stick with the club, but by the time the Premier League 2025/26 started to mark 6 months from the last time he played. The future of the former Everton star at Etihad is really alarming.
Nico gonzalez
When Reijnders was given the opportunity and shining, Gonzalez continued to be forgotten. Having made a brilliant impression in the match against Newcastle right after docking from Valencia in January, but since then, he has rarely used.
At the end of last season, Gonzalez started to have a few chances to play, but in the journey of Man City at this World Cup club, Gonzalez had to sit on the bench again to look at Gundogan, Reijnders and others.
Ederson
Although the declaration of not leaving Man City is a positive signal, but Ederson's performance in the Club World Cup is worrying. He made a mistake that led to the goal against Juventus and had to come to the extra time against Al Hilal to have the first saving. Despite the excessive criticism online, Ederson also understood that he needed to show better.
Oscar Bobb
The brightest star in the pre -season tour last season is now just a faint shadow. At the Club World Cup, Bobb pointed to the bench in the match against Wydad and Al Ain. Although he scored in front of Al Ain, most of his time only witnessed other teammates shine. Bobb certainly wanted to stay in the first team, but now he has too many competitors ahead.
