Bernardo Silva, Rico Lewis, corners – your City questions answered
Our regular Q&A this week looks at Manchester City’s present danger from set-pieces, and the parts of Bernardo Silva, Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly in the club’s summer business
06:00, 26 Feb 2026
Nico O’Reilly and Elliot Anderson
There’s no shortage of Manchester City topics to discuss as Pep Guardiola’s men look to compete in four competitions this season after the disappointment of last year. We’ve got every game and press conference covered for you but we also know that there is so much more going on around that.
That’s why we are holding regular Q&A sessions with our chief City writer Simon Bajkowski. The day of the week it comes out on may change depending on what City’s schedule looks like, but essentially this is your chance to get an answer on anything you want – simply pop your question here at any time of the week and Simon will pick them all up and wrap everything up in one place.
This week has questions on whether Nico O’Reilly will change City’s summer transfer business, the futures of Bernardo Silva, Rico Lewis, and Pep Guardiola. There’s also a look at set-pieces and what City can expect until the end of the season.
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Hi Simon. Since De Bruyne’s departure, the set-piece responsibilities seem to be shared more, and it feels like the designated taker changes from game to game. What is the current pecking order for set-piece takers in the squad? Who do you think is delivering the most accurate balls at the moment? And who do you expect to score the team’s first direct free-kick goal this season? TJ
Hi TJ, I’ll start with the last question first because it’s easier for me to answer as a punt. I’d expect the first direct free-kick to be scored by either Rayan Cherki or Omar Marmoush, for reasons that are hopefully obvious to everyone. Now for the more difficult bit…
It felt to me like City had a very slow start with attacking set-pieces this season, then hit their purple patch around November and December with usually inswinging corners from Phil Foden that Josko Gvardiol could get on the end of – either to direct at goal or head across for a teammate. There has also been some success with using Erling Haaland to flick on.
However, with Gvardiol injured and Foden out of form to the point he isn’t getting picked it feels like City haven’t quite had the rhythm. They have Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders that can bend balls in from either side but they don’t feel particularly dangerous from set-pieces at the moment.
Who do you think will replace Pep when he finally leaves City? I am very curious at this point. JD
You, me, and I think everybody else. We are firmly into Sir Alex Ferguson territory whereby when Guardiola leaves it is going to be pretty much impossible for the next man to live up to what has gone before him. City would like to think they are much better set up than United were in 2013, but it is still going to be interesting to see which direction City go in.
I may be wrong but I think they’re open to going in a number of ways when Guardiola leaves that will be decided in no small part by when the manager does indeed go. If he opts to leave this summer, the list of candidates and their placing won’t be the same as the shortlist if it is 2027 when City are hiring. Vincent Kompany would be the most popular pick, but he may be out of reach. Luis Enrique, Andoni Iraola, Enzo Maresca, Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi have all caught the eye.
This may be Bernardo Silva’s last season with Manchester City. My question is: would the club want to extend his contract if they had the opportunity? Ulugbek
The answer is yes, yes, and yes again, Ulugbek. Silva looked a beaten man last season as he fell down amid everyone else falling around him, but he has been rejuvenated and his form in recent months has been terrific.
He has obvious limitations in attack but he knows what Guardiola wants in a game better than anyone else on the team and has shown this season that he can still cut it at the highest level; the equaliser at Anfield and ball through for the penalty showed that, with Guardiola later describing him as irreplaceable in the system that is working at the moment.
He’s not expected to stay but City will do everything they can to stop him from leaving until he steps through the exit door.
Nico O’Reilly has recently delivered impressive performances in the midfield role. Amid ongoing discussions regarding a potential successor to Bernardo Silva, many supporters have voiced their preference for Elliot Anderson as a candidate. However, O’Reilly’s strong displays in midfield may reduce the likelihood of Anderson’s arrival. Even so, questions remain as to whether Manchester City still consider Anderson a viable option and if he has been included on the club’s transfer shortlist. yjj
Anderson is on the shortlist, and City will look to sign him this summer. After the signings of Semenyo and Guehi have instantly paid off, that will give even more encouragement to the idea of signing proven Premier League potential. Bernardo Silva is likely to leave and Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis could also go, so it is not a problem keeping O’Reilly in the midfield and adding Anderson as well.
City know they will face competition for him though, with United also beginning to fancy their chances as they grow more confident of earning a return to the Champions League for next season. If the price for Anderson is pushed up, that could cause City to question whether they still want to commit or look elsewhere and will be a test for new(ish) sporting director Hugo Viana.
Do you reckon Rico is gone in the summer? Noah S
An interesting question Noah, for one of the more interesting players in the squad. I believe Guardiola when he says that he loves the way Lewis plays and what he brings to the team, but at the same time the midfielder is barely getting a kick. The increase in physicality this year and scrums that have formed for every set-piece really don’t suit Lewis and Oscar Bobb – a tricky winger – has been effectively replaced by a much more physical specimen in Antoine Semenyo.
I can’t think Lewis will want another season with such limited game time, but if Bernardo Silva leaves that could open a route into the team for him – particularly if the rules are changed to stop the set-piece scrums next season. I’d say he is probably more likely to stay than go at the minute, but things can quickly change.
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What is your expectation for Manchester City this season? Noah S
We are getting into the sharp end of the season and City have a chance of winning four trophies, which is an achievement in itself. I think they will end up with at least one because they are good enough, although I’m not sure which it will be and it feels like Arsenal have an advantage for the Carabao Cup final with a much nicer schedule in the fortnight before it.
The Champions League will depend on who City draw in the last-16 but they will be unburdened in the competition because they are not seen as the big favourites that they had been before last season. The FA Cup feels like the competition City enjoy the most, but they are also looking dangerous in the Premier League. Their injuries are disappearing and if they can keep that for the next two months they should be in a very good place.
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