The new campaign is fast approaching with under a month until the beginning of pre-season and the chance for Pep Guardiola to begin planning for the latest title defence.

The prospect of new signings may not be forthcoming at the moment but transfer activity should increase once Euro 2024 is over. Until reinforcements come in, Guardiola will be working with the same group to guide City into 2024/25.

The likes of Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and now possibly Josko Gvardiol will be present in pre-season to earn their spot for the start of the campaign. Youngsters Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis will be looking to build on positive pre-season tours of recent years to send reminders to the manager of their quality.

Assuming there are no major incomings or outgoings, City's strongest XI can be predicted ahead of next season. Ederson will be number one as Guardiola has made clear, with captain Kyle Walker and the exciting Gvardiol at full-back. John Stones had a frustrating campaign last term but once fit he is the strongest centre-back along with partner Ruben Dias.

In midfield Rodri is undroppable and while Mateo Kovacic got minutes towards the end of the season, the strongest line up probably sees Bernardo Silva supporting Kevin De Bruyne. Phil Foden can come inside from one flank, with Jeremy Doku ending last term strongly enough to earn a place seeking to supply Erling Haaland.

That leaves a 'dream' bench consisting of a number of key players who have played important roles across the last two seasons. Manu Akanji and Nathan Ake will play plenty of big games next term, while Kovacic is another set to be a useful weapon in midfield.

Stefan Ortega has been hailed as the best backup goalkeeper in City's history by Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain, but faces another year of a supporting role should Ederson stay. Still, as a dream bench goes, Ortega is a fine place to start.

Lewis will hope for more opportunities either at right-back or in midfield, with Grealish needing to show once again why he is worthy of starting - his early pre-season return a sign he is willing to put in the work. World Cup-winner Julian Alvarez is the final existing player to make up a dream bench, with a superb goalscoring record as back-up to De Bruyne and Haaland.

Savio is expected to arrive and will be given a chance to prove himself before a decision is taken over where he plays next season, with a reported PS40m valuation placed on his head following his sparkling form for Girona.

Amazon If City are to venture back into the market, Bruno Guimaraes is a name who keeps reappearing. A reported PS100m release clause has expired but that could be the starting point for any negotiations if he is indeed a target for City. In this dream scenario, having Savio and Guimaraes as options on the bench would complete an ideal list of substitutes, both starting with the challenge of breaking into the world-class XI ahead of them.

Add names like Bobb, Matheus Nunes, Sergio Gomez and Micah Hamilton and the depth is looking better than some present fears.

'Dream' Man City bench for 2024/25: Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Kovacic, Grealish, Alvarez, Savio, Guimaraes