Divin Mubama of England U21, wearing a Man City kit, during the England U21 vs Republic of Ireland U21 / Phil Foden of Manchester City during the Manchester City v Fulham Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England on 11 February 2026

Divin Mubama and Phil Foden could be in Man City's starting XI in 2027-28.Imago

Jeremy Monga starts: Man City predicted XI on first day of 2027-28 Championship season

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

26 Sep 2026, 5:00 pm

Manchester City's starting lineup could look significantly different in 2027-28 based on the outcome of the Premier League's charges.

The Citizens have been found guilty on 114 counts, with Keith Wyness suggesting that this could result in a 50-point deduction at the Etihad.

Even if Enzo Maresca's side were to have a 90-plus-point season, they could still be relegated to the second division for the first time since 2002.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Stefan Borson has predicted a mass exodus should City be demoted and fail to win their appeal.

That would likely mean kicking off next season without Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Rayan Cherki, to name just a few.

Luckily, Man City have spent years producing some incredible academy talents, who could be thrown in at the deep end should the worst-case scenario come to fruition.

Phil Foden to lead by example after mass exodus

Signed in the summer, Geronimo Rulli could be the man between the sticks, protected by a centre-back partnership of Max Alleyne and Vitor Reis.

Rather ambitiously, Man City could attempt to keep hold of full-back duo Nico O'Reilly and Rico Lewis, though they will have to fend off plenty of interest.

Into the midfield, and despite over £300million spent on Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi, none of them feature in the lineup.

Instead, the veteran Mateo Kovacic, should he sign a new deal, could find himself alongside 17-year-old Floyd Samba, who netted a brace against Norwich City recently.

Then, fans will be praying that, if there is to be a mass exodus, that Phil Foden stays and fights to get his boyhood club back into the Premier League.

Keith Wyness: Man City 'certain' to lose appeal and land devastating 50-point deduction

The first five Man City players likely to go if they are expelled from Premier League

'It won't just be the players' - Stefan Borson expects mass Man City exodus

Man City academy gems to fill vacant spots

The front three is likely to be a rather inexperienced one, with Ryan McAidoo finally being given a chance to shine on the right flank.

Loanee Jeremy Monga could find himself on the opposite flank once he returns from Swansea City, with both working in tandem with a very talented striker.

With Haaland gone, most likely, and Omar Marmoush already trying to leave, 21-year-old Divin Mubama could lead the line for Man City.

He grabbed five goals in an injury-hit season at Stoke City last term, and his currently making impacts off the bench for Southampton in 2026-27.

Enzo Maresca