Over the years, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side have not been short of superstars. Whether they are homegrown players, like Phil Foden, or brought in from other clubs, both in the Premier League and abroad, the Spaniard has certainly coached some big names.
Foden is certainly one of the players who could fit into that category, and fellow England international Raheem Sterling became one of the best players in the league under Guardiola. Of course, you have the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri who joined from clubs across Europe, and helped bring success to East Manchester.
One of the latest players who falls into this category is certainly Erling Haaland.
Erling Haaland’s current market value
The start that Haaland has made to the 2025/26 campaign has been astronomical. There has only been one game in the top flight in which he has not scored. He has completely dominated the Premier League this season.
Let’s look at that from a numerical point of view. The Norwegian forward has played nine games for City across all competitions, and already has 12 goals.
He’s found the back of the net nine times in seven Premier League appearances, with the other three coming in two Champions League games.
The City number nine has carried his imperious form over to the international arena, too. He’s scored nine goals for Norway this season, including back-to-back hat-tricks and five goals in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova.
Guardiola says Haaland’s form is “better than ever” this season, and it is easy to see why. His unstoppable run is also reflected in his current market value, with CIES Football Observatory deeming him to be worth as much as £208m.
However, the 25-year-old is not the only player in the Citizens squad who looks like a £100m talent in the making, reinforcing the fact that Guardiola’s side is still filled with superstars.
Man City star is looking like a £100m player
Haaland is, without doubt, City’s most important player this season. He’s scored nine of their 15 Premier League goals so far, so they would certainly be a lot lower in the table without him leading the line.
At the other end of the pitch, summer signing Gianluigi Donnarumma has made some extremely important contributions.
The Italian goalkeeper joined from Paris Saint-Germain at the back end of the window and has been crucial for Guardiola.
The shot-stopper, who lifted the Champions League with the Parisian side last season, has slotted seamlessly into his new club. Having played six games across all competitions, he’s kept three clean sheets and conceded just four goals.
Saves such as this one from Bryan Mbeumo’s effort show why he will be so important for City. Making his debut in a Manchester derby, the Italian was able to tip wide the Manchester United winger’s strike, which seemed destined for the bottom left corner.
His singing has been a big coup for City. Donnarumma’s consistency for PSG was clear to see with some of his numbers.
He regularly had a save rate in the 70s, with his highest coming in 2023/24, where it stood at 79.1%. In a City shirt, it’s currently at 66.7%.
|
Donnarumma – last 5 years (all comps) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season (club) |
Saves per game |
Save % |
|
2021/22 (PSG) |
2.9 |
75.3% |
|
2022/23 (PSG) |
3.3 |
75.2% |
|
2023/24 (PSG) |
3.5 |
79.1% |
|
2024/25 (PSG) |
2.3 |
70.2% |
|
2025/26 (Man City) |
1.3 |
66.7% |
|
Stats from Sofascore |
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One City page over on X, City Chief, said the Citizens have “got a £100m goalkeeper for £25m,” and it certainly feels that way based on Donnarumma’s start to the season.
He has been imperious between the posts for his new side, with his size, reflexes and the way he commands his box making it hard to score past him.
Football scout Antonio Mango once said the former AC Milan star was a “generational” talent. Well, all the evidence this season certainly makes it clear why that is the case. Just like Haaland, Donnarumma has been key to Guardiola in the early parts of the season.
