For Josep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva, the trophy cabinet at Manchester City is already overflowing. Over the past decade, the duo has collected 18 major titles together, a testament to City’s dominance in English football.
Yet as Bernardo Silva glanced around the locker room ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United, the scene felt unfamiliar.
The seasoned warriors who once stood by his side—Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Ederson, and Jack Grealish—had all departed over the summer. They were replaced by a new crop of hungry faces, talented but largely untested at the highest level. For Guardiola’s heavily rebuilt squad, the match against Newcastle represents more than a secondary trophy; it is a rite of passage, a test of mental strength and maturity.
Exodus of Champions and Arrival of Youth
Manchester City’s transformation has been rapid and sweeping. Over the past 12 months, roughly a dozen new players have arrived at the Etihad Stadium.
Aside from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined with a Euro 2020 and Champions League pedigree, most of the recruits have never experienced the thrill of lifting a major trophy.
Guardiola understands the gravity of this situation. For players like £62.5 million signing Antoine Semenyo or young defender Max Alleyne, the Carabao Cup carries a weight far beyond the usual perception of a “secondary” title.
“This is not just about lifting a trophy,” Guardiola explained. “It is about self-awareness, thinking, ‘Okay, we’ve won, we can do it.’”
He emphasized the importance of these first experiences for shaping the team’s mentality:
“Some players have never been there before, and it’s important for a group to experience it and learn from those lessons,” he added.
Potential Starting XI Without Major Trophies
The squad overhaul means Guardiola could field a starting XI with up to seven players who have never won a major trophy for Manchester City. Names like James Trafford, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Semenyo are expected to feature.
Khusanov, the young center-back from Uzbekistan, is under particular scrutiny. Despite a difficult debut against Chelsea, he has impressed with his speed and ability to support Guardiola’s high defensive line.
“He is a truly special player for the way we play,” Guardiola praised. “He helps us a lot because we operate with a very high line. He is a fast player.”
Internal Competition and Future Prospects
Transitioning to this new era has not been seamless. Some players have immediately shone, while others have struggled to secure their place.
Nico Gonzalez, doubted last season, has emerged as a key backup for Rodri, while Rayan Ait-Nouri has been overshadowed by the rise of O’Reilly. Ait-Nouri will miss the Newcastle game due to a missed connecting flight returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, January signing Omar Marmoush may find it increasingly difficult to break into the squad given Semenyo’s prolific form as the Premier League’s third-highest scorer.
In goal, James Trafford faces a dilemma. Despite Guardiola’s praise for his potential at a top club, Donnarumma’s arrival has limited his opportunities. Trafford may need to consider moving on if he wants consistent game time at a competitive level.
“I want him to stay for years because he has the attributes to play for a big club like ours,” Guardiola commented regarding Trafford.
Building a Winning Mentality
Guardiola stresses that roughly 85 percent of his current squad represents the club’s future. Even Bernardo Silva, the captain, may not be part of long-term plans given his contract’s expiration at the end of the season.
This is why victories in competitions like the Carabao Cup are so vital. Players recruited from clubs such as Bournemouth, Burnley, Lyon, and Lens must demonstrate that they are worthy of wearing the sky-blue jersey.
“One player said, if I’ve done it once, I can do it again,” Guardiola explained, highlighting the importance of experience in building confidence and resilience.
He concluded with a forward-looking perspective on the process of mental development:
“When you play at the Bernabeu, Camp Nou, or other big arenas, when you play repeatedly, you get better. It’s about the process. The more finals and semi-finals you experience, the stronger the club becomes in the long term.”
Newcastle as the First Test
The upcoming match against Newcastle may only be the beginning, but for Guardiola, it represents the first step in ensuring that Manchester City remains a powerhouse, even as the golden era of his previous squad officially comes to an end. This semi-final is more than a trophy pursuit—it is a mental and experiential milestone for the new generation, a proving ground where the future leaders of City must demonstrate their resilience, maturity, and capacity to thrive under pressure.
ALSO READ :
