With the start of the summer transfer window now just days away, you'd expect the next few months to be a fairly busy period for Bristol City.

Nigel Pearson has made it no secret that he feels it could take some time to get the Robins squad to where it needs to be – pushing for promotion to the Premier League.

That process will surely start this summer and pressing forward with it is even more important now 11 senior players have been released at the end of their contracts.

Such an exodus will undoubtedly aid Pearson's pursuit of a change in culture amongst the squad, while it leaves him needing to be smart with what money he does have.

It is understood that the 53-year-old will be working on a limited budget in the upcoming window, which will surely make his use of the loan and free agent markets vital.

The Championship season gets underway in two months' time and we've outlined how the City XI could look when it gets underway...

Starting with a bit of a shocking one, Max O'Leary could be the man in possession of the number one jersey in 2021/22 given the Premier League interest in Dan Bentley.

Bentley was deservedly named the Robins' Player of the Season last month but the Bristol Post has reported previously that top tier clubs, including Southampton, have been checking in on him.

Given Pearson feels promotion is at least a few seasons away, cashing in on the 27-year-old and reinvesting it could make sense as that would also allow the promising O'Leary to develop on the job.

The homegrown keeper is not at Bentley's level yet but he looks like someone with a very bright future and that could mean City are open to letting their current first choice shot-stopper leave.

With Jack Hunt and Adrian Mariappa among the 11 senior players departing and Steven Sessegnon returning to Fulham at the end of his loan deal, City are short for choice at right-back.

It's a position that you'd expect to see them strengthen over the summer but it currently seems as though Danny Simpson could be first choice next term.

The 34-year-old is clearly someone that Pearson trusts – having worked with him at Leicester City and now re-signed him as a free agent last season.

City revealed when they published their retained list that they remain in talks with him over a new deal, so it seems a

While there are some question marks over who exactly will line up next to him, there's surely no doubt that City skipper Tomas Kalas will be one of the centre-backs.

The 2020/21 campaign was ultimately a very disappointing one for the Robins but Kalas was impressive throughout and showed his quality as a Championship defender.

There aren't a huge number of leaders in the squad, which is likely to place even more importance on his captaincy – particularly with a string of new arrivals expected.

Finding a suitable partner for him could be the key to easing City's defensive woes ahead of next season.

Talking of suitable defensive partners for Kalas, Oxford United's Rob Atkinson looks like a player with all the characteristics you'd look for.

A tall defender that is solid both on the floor and in the air, the 22-year-old's confidence in possession and ability to drive forward out of defence mean he is not dissimilar to Adam Webster.

Kalas had arguably the best season of his career playing alongside Webster and you feel Atkinson could complement him perfectly.

City are understood to be interested but may have to wait for Oxford to drop their asking price, which is currently more than £2 million.

Left-back was a problem position for the Robins last term, with a string of injuries meaning that they had to be creative at times.

Now he's back fit, Jay Dasilva looks a shoo-in to reprise his role on the left side of defence.

The 23-year-old's return will be a massive boost for City and supporters will be hoping that he can stay fit and rediscover some of the impressive form he's shown in a red shirt previously.

He'll have to be on top of his game, though, to fight off the competition from the likes of Cam Pring and George Nurse.

Assuming the Robins are going to be operating in a 4-3-3, Joe Williams is the obvious option in defensive midfield.

The 24-year-old was plagued with injuries in his debut season at Ashton Gate and fans will be excited to see what he can offer when able to string a run of games together.

Williams has shown his quality at Championship level previously, with his tenacity likely to make him a popular player among City supporters assuming he can stay fit.

He looked an absolute bargain when he was snapped up from Wigan last summer but will now be keen to prove himself in Bs3.

One of two central midfielders slightly further forward than Williams, the 2021/22 campaign could be a massive one for Han-Noah Massengo.

The 19-year-old Frenchman impressed in his debut season at Ashton Gate but found opportunities harder to come by last term, though in the final few months of the season he was one of the Robins' most impressive players.

Massengo seems to have won the trust of Pearson and looks a sensible selection as part of a midfield three, with his energy and close control likely to complement the strengths of his colleagues in the centre of the park.

One of Pearson's trusted lieutenants at Leicester, James is now a free agent after leaving the Foxes and has been linked with reuniting with his former coach in Bs3.

City have lacked leadership in the centre of the park and the 29-year-old will add exactly that, as well as a real quality in possession and excellent game management.

His presence could be massive for both Massengo and Williams, allowing them to really kick on in a Robins shirt.

On top of that, as someone that won promotion to the Premier League under Pearson for Leicester, he should be able to help the City coach implement his new squad culture.

Antoine Semenyo's development from a promising young player to a key attacking option was one of few bright spots for City in the 2020/21 campaign.

The 21-year-old had by far his best season in a Robins shirt – showing his quality as both a goalscorer and a creator by bagging five goals and seven assists.

Assuming City can hold off the interest of a string of Premier League clubs, Semenyo is someone that Pearson surely can't afford to leave out, particularly given their attacking struggles last season.

With fans returning to stadiums, the forward is likely the player that the Ashton Gate faithful are most excited to see next term.

A replacement for Famara Diedhiou is needed and Blackpool's promotion to the Championship may mean that Jerry Yates is too expensive, despite City's reported interest.

Rotherham United's mobile target man Michael Smith is a more affordable option and a candidate to lead the line for the Robins next season, with only one year left on his current deal with the Yorkshire club amid links to City.

He's scored 18 goals and added seven assists for the Millers in their past two Championship seasons and the move to Ashton Gate could be just what he needs to take his game up a level.

Only Kieffer Moore won more aerial duels than Smith last season (Whoscored) and that ability in the air is likely to make him an asset for the Robins should they look to be more direct.

Andreas Weimann's absence was one of many factors that contributed to City's offensive woes during the 2020/21 campaign.

The Austrian's energy can often distract from his quality in the final third, with his 19 goals and 12 assists in his first two seasons at Ashton Gate proof of exactly what he offers in the final third.

Weimann's versatility has so often been utilised by various Robins coaches and you'd imagine Pearson will be no different.

The 29-year-old may prefer to play off the right but given the options available, it would be no surprise to see him on the left flank.