Man City ‘mistake’ verdict after five senior stars are axed and Pep’s quit bombshell
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has issued a bombshell new threat to the club just days after a disappointing FA Cup final loss against Crystal Palace.
Speaking after the win over Bournemouth on Tuesday (20 May, as per BBC), Guardiola insisted he will quit unless the size of his squad is reduced.
Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri and Rico Lewis were all omitted from the matchday squad for the game.
He said: “As a manager I cannot train 24 players and every time I select I have to have four, five, six stay in Manchester at home because they cannot play. This is not going to happen. I said to the club, I don’t want that.”
Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez, Victor Reis and Omar Marmoush were signed at City in a £200million January spree – but only Marmoush has played regular football since.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has suggested what Guardiola’s comments could mean for City’s January arrivals.
Man City January spree not a mistake, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the signing of the quartet was not a “mistake” despite Guardiola’s comments being tinged with regret.
Man City currently sit third in the Premier League ahead of their final game of the season against Fulham on Sunday (25 May).
| Player | Position | Fee (€) |
| Omar Marmoush | Forward | 75million |
| Nico Gonzalez | Midfielder | 60million |
| Abdukodir Khusanov | Defender | 40million |
| Victor Reis | Defender | 37million |
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s hard to criticise City’s business.
“These players came in January, which is always a difficult time to come across.
“Khusanov, in particular, needs to settle a bit more in the Premier League.
“Pep has realised that as the season went on, he went back to tried and trusted players.
“I think an off-season will help these players. I don’t think they’re a mistake, they were just pushed in at the wrong time with the squad not performing.
“I think they’re all going to be okay, I can’t see them ending up being mistakes.”
Man City close in on record-breaking midfielder deal
Despite Guardiola’s pleas, Football Insider has revealed (16 May) that Man City are making progress on a record-breaking deal to sign AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
City’s move for Reijnders could be worth upwards of £70million, dwarfing Milan’s record sale which saw Kaka move to Real Madrid for £56million in 2009.
Man City could sell players before signing Reijnders to clear space in the squad and raise funds.
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