Man City's two best midfielders might play less than last season thanks to Stones and Kovacic

Ilkay Gundogan's departure threatened to disrupt Manchester City's midfield, but the quick signing of Mateo Kovacic looks to be a shrewd replacement for just £25m.

Kovacic is not a direct replacement for Gundogan, but can play at both number six and number eight as the former captain did. With John Stones, Rico Lewis and Phil Foden likely to play more in midfield in 2023/24, it's fair to assume that there will be changes to how City operate for the coming campaign.

There will be pressure on Kevin De Bruyne to continue creating, especially if Bernardo Silva is needed to play out wide after Riyad Mahrez's departure (assuming Bernardo stays).

2023/24 is also a huge year for Kalvin Phillips, who struggled for games with just Rodri to battle with last term - and now has Kovacic to battle with.

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As part of a new series ahead of the upcoming season, here we look at each position in City's squad and look at each player's aims for 2023/24:

Where he can improve: How do you go about improving on a season where Rodri was ever present, consistently brilliant, and finished it by scoring the winner in the Champions League final. The only note for Rodri will be to adapt to playing with someone next to him - either in a double pivot at times or with Stones pushing up from midfield. He's used to the inverted full-back tactic, but City took it up another level towards the end of last season and could advance it again, with Rodri key to making it work.

What is his main aim this season: He will have to help Kovacic settle in as quickly as possible, with the early signs promising. Saying that, he will want to keep ahead of Kovacic, who will likely offer more competition