Two surprise Man City stars could leave ‘for the right price’ after Pep Guardiola claim
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could let two stars leave the club despite their winning start to the new Premier League season.
Tijjani Reijnders shone as Man City dispatched Wolves 4-0 at Molineux, whilst Erling Haaland and summer arrival Rayan Cherki also got on the scoresheet.
Pep Guardiola handed Premier League debuts in Man City colours to Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and James Trafford, in his second spell at the club.
City have made six signings this transfer window, and Guardiola has now stressed the need for departures.
Two candidates in the frame for City departures
After the Wolves match, Guardiola highlighted that this squad is too large and that trimming it down will be essential before the window shuts.
The Athletic [18 August] report that aside from goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and midfielder Kalvin Phillips, there is no clear indication as to which other players could leave the Etihad.
As exclusively revealed by Football Insider Leeds United are interested in a deal to re-sign Phillips, whilst City are happy let Ortega leave the club following the acquisition of Trafford.
The Athletic state that “for the right price” defender Manuel Akanji or midfielder Mateo Kovacic could also be candidates to depart despite their respective ages potentially making “it difficult to find buyers.”
Akanji was an unused substitute in the win over Wolves, whilst Kovacic did not feature due to injury.
Guardiola ponders Akanji and Kovacic sales
Football Insider Verdict
Man City are set to be busy before deadline day trying to offload players amid Guardiola’s wish to work with a smaller sized squad.
Guardiola was unable to call upon Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, Rodri and Savinho and still had more than enough quality at his disposal.
When everyone is back fit, Guardiola will be forced to leave stars out of his match day squad, making player management essential.
Limiting frustrations over playing time in the squad would be handy for Guardiola and the likes of Kovacic and Akanji would want to be first-team starters.
City have spent plenty in midfield due to the absence of Rodri for much of last season meaning Kovacic’s place in the team is uncertain this campaign.
| Apperances | 88 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 4 |
Ruben Dias and John Stones were preferred at centre-back over Akanji and Guardiola still has Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov in reserve.
It suggests letting Kovacic and Akanji leave would not harm City and on the basis of their performance at Wolves, Guardiola’s side will be back challenging for the Premier League title this season.