#SheikhScouts: Future Foundations - Building A Wall

City’s difficulties this season have been earmarked by defensive issues, conceding 5 or more non-penalty big chances on 5 occasions. For context, that’s more than 21/22, 22/23 & 23/24 combined. Although much of this has been accurately attributed to the midfield’s inability to defend transitional moments, a lack of defensive quality has indisputably exaggerated issues. 

This becomes evident when observing the introduction of a Gvardiol-Dias back 2 and Nico O’Reilly at LB as of late. City have conceded just 3 goals in the last 8 games, despite conceding an xG of close to 8. What makes this even more interesting, is that City conceded a similar 8.5 xG in the 8 games before that, but let in a whopping 10 goals. Throughout the last 8 games, at least 3 of Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva started 6 of them. Yet in the 8 games prior to this, this combination of players only started together 3 times. 

What does this tell us? Well, while City’s midfield is in much need of a revamp, their defense has perhaps gone overlooked as an issue, and while the Gvardiol-Dias duo has been pivotal in our recent performances, things can only continue to look this good when the depth improves too. This article, the latest installment of the #SheikhScouts - Future Foundations series, observes some of City’s most exciting youth, specifically those that fans are yet to see much of in the first team.

Before getting into the players, it’s important to take a look at some of The Athletic’s 18 player roles, as this article will approach City’s future defenders with these archetypes in mind.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

Aged just 19, Jahmai was dropped into the first team on Champions Leagues nights as city’s defence became riddled with injuries in November 2024. City’s poor performance in that period led to an understanding that he just wasn’t good enough. Not only should those performances be taken with a grain of salt given how poor stalwarts such as Gvardiol & Dias were in that period, it should garner respect towards the lad, who was thrown into the deep-end during a desperate period of the season. 

In the 7 months since, Jahmai has captained City in the PL2 to the title and won the Player of the Season as well, becoming the first defender ever to do so. The player’s intelligence and quality on the ball did not look out of place whatsoever in the first team, but it was his physicality that was still at the youth level. It is without a doubt an aspect of his game that will improve with time, and his profile is that of a ‘Spreader’ in central defence.

Jahmai is an excellent organizer, capable of initiating attacks from deep and holding the trust of his teammates who feel freedom in moving further forward. What could halt his entry into the first team is the player next on the list, an age mate of a similar profile who has accomplished far more at his age. 

Vitor Reis

While it would be easy to laud Vitor’s footballing qualities, it’s his personality traits that distinguish him.

Robinho Dos Santos Custodio (Owner of Reis’ youth football school):

“He had that demeanour on the pitch; he was calm, commanding, responsible, he never missed a training session, and he had quality with the ball at his feet.”

Joao Paulo Sampaio (Palmeiras Youth Manager):

“He leads by example, he is serious and extremely focused in his work.”

Abel Ferreira (Palmeiras First Team Coach):

“He’s a man of great character.”

A player consistently described by coaches from the age of 10 to 18 as a leader tells you Reis is certain to become a first-team regular at Manchester City despite other talents at the club. At 19, he has played for Brazil at the U16s, U17s, U20 and U21 level, most recently captaining the Brazil U21’s. At club level, he has made 22 appearances for Palmeiras in his debut season, and is described as a member of Palmeiras’ golden generation including the likes of Endrick, Estevao Willian & Luis Guilherme, all of whom have signed contracts to clubs in Europe. 

Similar to Jahmai, Vitor has the capabilities of a ‘spreader’, someone that is reliable and calm in possession, likely to pick out the right pass and play longer balls with precision. Off the ball, he’s shown some competence in duels, but it’s something he’ll work on as he continues to grow physically. While Vitor hasn’t stood out as immediately as Khusanov, it will be his intelligence and ability to learn that will mean success under a coach like Guardiola. Rumour has it that Pep wants to test Reis’ capabilities in the number 6 as well, further illustrating the mental attributes Vitor has that you won’t find in others.

Juma Bah

An absolute alien, Juma Bah gives you the duel-winning capacity that City fans might not have seen since Vincent Kompany, or ever. A pure ‘aggressor’, Bah stands at an enormous 6 foot 5 inches and boasts a sizable leap to match, the defender has won more aerial duels than 98% of the centre backs in Europe. For further context, his aerial duel win rate is 70.5% this season, only slightly lower than Virgil Van Dijk’s 70.9%. John Stones has been City’s most successful aerial defender in recent years, and even he only managed to win 67% of his aerial duels in his best season. 

In all sorts of defensive actions, Bah is a stand-out. Adept when intercepting, making blocks, winning take-ons and clearing balls into the box. Juma Bah has the makings of a Van Dijk or Rudiger when it comes to terrorising opposition forwards. However, Bah was playing for Sierra Leone side Freetonians less than 2 years ago. Though comparable to Europe’s elite off the ball, it’s on the ball where the player is extremely raw. It has been deemed likely that he spends the 25/26 season away from the Etihad, spending an extra year adjusting to the mental and technical challenges of the European game.

Stephen Mfuni

Stephen Mfuni is someone that many fans might not be the most aware of. Despite making it to City’s pre-season squad travelling to the US, the youngster was only 16 and played just a few minutes off the bench. Regardless, Pep named him among others such as Oscar Bobb and Nico O’Reilly as highlights of the training camp in the States. While finding his exact height has proved difficult, he’s likely around 6’3 with room for further growth at the age of 17.

The player is perhaps the most unique on the list, providing a blend between the monstrous athleticism you get from someone such as Bah, and the technical quality of players like Vitor and Jahmai. What makes him even more interesting, and perhaps a candidate for the first team in the years to come is that he’s left-footed. Given Nathan Ake’s increasing injury worries and Gvardiol’s shift into central defence, introducing Mfuni could help City shore up the left side with aerial presence and quality on the ball.

Altogether, City’s shortcomings this season have revealed midfield fragility, a lack of depth and physical decline. While the Gvardiol-Dias partnership has helped steady the ship in recent weeks, it’s clear that maintaining defensive resilience across a full season will require more than just tactical tweaks; it will demand new energy, fresh profiles, and players capable of adapting to the demands of Guardiola’s system.

That’s where the club’s next generation comes in. Whether it’s the leadership of Vitor Reis, the quality of pass from Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, the physical dominance of Juma Bah, or the complete blend of technique and athleticism in Stephen Mfuni, we have a group of young, tenacious defenders each offering something distinct. These players may not all feature immediately, but their profiles align well with what City have lacked at times: personality, presence, and flexibility.

Written By: Sury

Edited By: SHEIKH