A lot of Manchester City's players have nothing left to prove, and have a job for life as long as they want it.

Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Ruben Dias, John Stones and several others. Last season City achieve the remarkable, to become just the second English team to win the treble and equal fierce rivals Manchester United's crowning glory.

 
 

While those names will go down in the history books, tales of the brilliance passed from generation to generation, there are others in the City squad who didn't play as much of a significant role. Every member of a squad is crucial for more than what we see on the pitch, to ensure squad harmony and team spirit.

But everyone wants to play. Every single game. Some did not do enough to earn a regular spot in the side last season and will be fighting for their futures during pre-season and the forthcoming campaign.

 

The biggest example of course is Kalvin Phillips. The midfielder was brought in from Leeds United last summer to replace the departing Fernandinho to provide cover for Rodri but hardly got a sniff of action. A should injury disrupted the first half of his season and Pep Guardiola expressed his frustrations early on that he was having to play Rodri so much.

The time off meant Phillips was already playing catch-up at a club where it tends to take players a year to get used to the manager's methods. Even when back on the bench, Guardiola did not trust him enough to play much. His longest cameo off the bench in the Premier League against Leicester City was disastrous and threatened to throw away the lead.

The midfielder didn't start his first league match until the title was already secured and he finished the campaign with 593 minutes of action. Phillips expected to be playing second fiddle behind Rodri but must have thought he'd play more.

His first season has been such a disappointment that there was speculation he could depart after a year but Phillips quickly put those rumours to bed by declaring his desire to prove himself at the Etihad. “My intention is to stay there. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it.

“I cannot give it 12 months and say, ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave’. I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn’t play as much as I wanted to do.

“With England I played a little bit, but was ruled out through injuries as well. It is just nice to be back fit. I have nothing to worry about now. Everything is fine with my body. I will continue to work hard next season and hopefully do well when I go back to City.”

That's an admirable stance to take and there is every chance he could discover his best form now he's got a clean bill of health, like so many signings have in their second season. But if there isn't a dramatic improvement soon, it's hard to see him lasting for a third campaign.

Another new signing who struggled last year was Sergio Gomez, though it was hardly his fault. The Spaniard was signed as a developmental addition and the original plan was for him to head straight out on loan to continue his development. But a rare error from City meant he had to stay after the Blues allowed Aleks Zinchenko to depart without having replacement Marc Cucurella secured, who eventually joined Chelsea.

In his few appearances, Gomez looked exactly like a player initially deemed not ready for the senior squad. Completely out of his depth. Given he's also a converted attacker, it was hardly surprising. However, he is enjoying an excellent Under-21 Euros with his five goal contributions in four games helping guide Spain to the final, though he is playing as a winger.

 

There is clearly potential in Gomez but he will have to start showing it at City if he is to remain with the squad and not head out either on loan or permanently.

Cole Palmer is also enjoying a good tournament and shone in England's semi-final victory over Israel as he scored and set up two more in a 3-0 win. The playmaker clearly has lots of talent, made obvious by the fact he has been a regular face in the squad for a couple of years now.

But he didn't play quite as much as might have been expected last season and now at 21 it's time he starts having a greater impact on games if he is to follow in Phil Foden's footsteps and become a mainstay in the side.

He faces competition from his fellow EDS teammates Tommy Doyle and James McAtee. The pair spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and were instrumental in the Blades' promotion back to the Premier League. They have had the taste of regular first-team football now and will no doubt be eager to replicate that at City.

While starting regularly is highly unlikely, there is certainly a spot available on the bench for an exciting young midfielder and the trio will have to impress in pre-season to be the one to earn it or face another season out on loan.