Guardiola to Reduce Manchester City Squad
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hinted that he will reduce the size of his squad before the end of the transfer market. The aim is to avoid having “sad” players next season. The City has brought a squad of 27 players to the United States, including the new signings.- Rayan Cherki
- Rayan Aït-Nouri
- Tijjani Reijnders
- Marcus Bettinelli
Guardiola has expressed his preference for working with a squad of 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers. This would imply that at least three of the players who traveled to the United States would have to leave before the start of the Premier League in August. He was specifically asked about the future of Ilkay Gündogan, who, according to sources, is being followed by Galatasaray. The 34-year-old midfielder has one year remaining on his contract and faces increased competition for his position following Rodri’s return and Reijnders’ arrival. “I don’t know anything,” Guardiola said. “I didn’t speak with him, and if he wasn’t part [of the team] he wouldn’t be here. But, at the same time, we have, at this moment, a long squad, too many players, so we can’t go with 26, 27 players this season because there would be more without playing, and step by step, maybe some players will leave. But right now, Ilkay is absolutely part of my mind and the team.”“I would love to have all the players we have now for the whole season. I have no complaints about the players, how they behave. The problem is that they will be unhappy during the season. They will be sad, they will be disappointed. I don’t want that”.
Pep Guardiola
