Manchester City face a “very complicated situation” when it comes to simplifying Pep Guardiola’s squad and complying with the Premier League’s homegrown player requirements, according to City expert Steven McInerney of Esteemed Kompany.
A new era has begun at the Etihad Stadium where new sporting director Hugo Viana has prioritized a rebuilding of the squad together with the outgoing Txiki Begiristain during this transition period.
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After four new signings in January and the return of injured players, Guardiola was reluctantly forced to leave several players out of the matchday squad towards the end of last season.
Overcrowded squad creates challenges
Man City currently have 32 players on their payroll, including four new summer signings. Guardiola chose to bring only 27 players to the Club World Cup, where they were eliminated in the last eight in the United States.
The Spaniard was not comfortable with having to leave players at home and has made it clear to the management that the squad must be reduced to avoid having “sad” and “dissatisfied” players next season.
Homegrown player requirements create pressure
Ahead of the 2025/26 season, City face pressure to sell some of their foreign players in order to meet the Premier League and UEFA’s requirements for homegrown players.
Premier League clubs must have at least eight homegrown players – defined as players who have trained at an English club for at least three years before the age of 21 – in their 25-man squad. If they lack enough homegrown players, they must reduce the squad size accordingly.
In the Champions League, the same rules apply, but four of the eight must have been at City for at least three years before their 21st birthday.
Potential Candidates
City have already confirmed high-profile departures for Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Scott Carson – the latter two of whom are homegrown – while some young talents have been loaned out. Nevertheless, there are many players who could still leave the club this summer.
McInerney elaborates:
- Ilkay Gündogan: Expected to leave squad despite desire to stay
- Mateo Kovacic: Could leave if a good offer comes, possibly to Turkey or Saudi Arabia
- James McAtee: Probable resignation
- John Stones and Jack Grealish: Could also leave the club
- Young players such as Claudio Echeverri, Máximo Perrone and Vitor Reis could be sent on loan
Complicated backlash after January transfer
McInerney points out in particular the challenges with the many centre-backs:
“We have seven centre-backs: Akanji, Khusanov, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol and Vitor Reis. Something has to give way here.”
He adds that the situation with new signing Nico Gonzalez is particularly difficult:
“It would be idiotic to let Gonzalez leave so soon after his £50m transfer from Porto.”
In conclusion, McInerney concludes:
“It’s a very complicated mess City have gotten themselves into.
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