Man City could unleash next season's attack vs Southampton

Manchester City will have a new look next season.

For the first time in a decade Kevin De Bruyne will not be here. His departure this summer will see a club legend leave and his final Etihad appearance later this month will be an emotional occasion.

City may well dip into the transfer market this summer to seek a De Bruyne replacement with Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White contenders. But they do have a potential heir apparent in Phil Foden.

He was instrumental in last season's Premier League title win and while he's suffered through form and fitness issues this term, he remains one of the best players in the country when fit and firing

The 24-year-old hasn't started a game since the dour derby draw at Old Trafford more than a month ago but has come off the bench for late cameos in the last two fixtures and is in contention to start at Southampton this weekend. The St Mary's contest, against a beleaguered side who have been awful all year, could see Pep Guardiola rotate with an FA Cup final on the horizon.

De Bruyne could be afforded a rest from the off ahead of a three-game week while Foden surely needs minutes if he is to have a prominent say in the final month of a campaign which could end with a trophy.

Foden could line up off Erling Haaland at Southampton with the Norway striker returning to the squad as an unused sub against Wolves. The eight-day break between matches will have offered the chance for the frontman to fine tune and he'll be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on the division's most porous defence.

His absence has seen City switch to a 4-2-2-2 shape, and with success too given the run of five straight wins. Omar Marmoush has been utilised off the wing and the January arrival has shown