Man City is seeking to streamline the squad this summer, and coach Pep Guardiola is forced to make difficult decisions to make sure no one is left over on the competition day – especially to meet the Champions League regulations.
Although some players like John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Oscar Bobb and Ederson have expressed their desire to continue to stick with Etihad, Pep still needs to shorten the squad – and to do that, he started with the players who could not touch.
According to Manchester Evening News, 11 names will definitely be guaranteed the opportunity to play in Man City next season and not on the transfer list including:
- Tijjani Reijnders: Summer rookie, will definitely play an important role in the middle line.
- Rayan Cherki: A young, creative contract, will be developed long -term Pep.
- Rayan Ait-Nouri: New solution for left corridor, supplementing the defense depth.
- Marcus Bettinelli: Reliable reserve for the goalkeeper position.
- Omar Marmoush: Although from the January transfer window, he is the only one in this group is considered to be sure to stay.
- Bernardo Silva: New captain of the club. With Guardiola directly interfering to keep, Bernardo is an indispensable person even though not always kicking.
- Ruben Dias: The main center -back, who will continue to be the leader of the defense.
- Josko GVardiol: Dias's good partner last season. This duo is expected to be a craft of the defense next season.
- Rodri: midfield heart. After serious injury last season, he was still an irreplaceable factor.
- Phil Foden: Despite difficulties last season, Foden shines brightly at the Club World Cup (scoring 3 goals) and is the future of the team.
- Erling Haaland: The main striker has just committed the future until 2034. There is no reason why he left Etihad.
In the opposite direction, there will be many players who are facing the uncertain future or unlikely in Guardiola's squad at Man City next season.
First of all, the trio of midfielder Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, John Stones. They are experienced players but will have to compete with the rookie Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
Next are Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes – two names that need to prove the value to keep the position. Nico Gonzalez, Nico O'reilly and Jeremy Doku, Savinho are young and rich in potential, is likely to be kept for development.
The old General Mateo Kovacic could be kept due to recovery of injury, but it was difficult to keep the “veteran” group that Pep used to change blood from the previous season. Finally, young talent Claudio Echeverri is likely to be loaned to gain more experience and time to play more often.
In short, Guardiola has identified 11 indispensable pillars, but the rest of the squad is still expanding the competitive door. With the current depth, Man City is forced to sell or lend a number of names, especially when UEFA requires a limited number of players registered in the European Cup.
In the summer of 2025, it could be a strong restructuring time in Etihad, when the top position in both the Premier League and the Champions League requires assertiveness and innovation from Pep Guardiola itself.
