Pep Guardiola is ready to cut down the Manchester City squad before the new season.
17 Manchester City players are reportedly “facing the cut this summer” as Pep Guardiola prepares for his biggest upheaval since taking over the club.
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Guardiola’s Manchester City are currently in the United States for the Club World Cup. “The Blues” have won their first two games in the tournament after victories over Wydad AC and Al Ain.
The
club’s biggest stars are present in America, including Erling Haaland, as well as summer signings Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.
But Guardiola left out several high-profile players from the travelling group. Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish were excluded from City’s 27-man squad for the Club World Cup. The trio is of course believed to be on their way out.
Gündoğan could follow Ilkay
Gündoğan is the latest star linked with a move away from City, despite the midfielder starting in the 6-0 win over Al Ain.
Turkish side Galatasaray are interested in signing the 34-year-old this summer.
On the rumours and the size of the squad, Guardiola said:
“With Ilkay, no news is good news. I don’t know anything and haven’t spoken to him. But we have too many players now – we can’t have 26-27 players this season.”
More young players on their way out
According to The Mirror, James McAtee (with England’s U21 national team) and Máximo Perrone are also heading for the exit door.
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Many other City players are believed to be available to free up space in the squad.
Uncertain future for several
The report suggests that the future of Ederson, John Stones, Rico Lewis, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O’Reilly, Mateo Kovačić, Gündoğan, Nico González, Matheus Nunes, Claudio Echeverri and Oscar Bobb has not been clarified.
Most will be retained, but some will either be sold or sent out on loan.
