With Pep Guardiola taking the reigns at Manchester City, several players may leave City by the end of the transfer window. Guardiola, known to be ruthless with even the best of players - take Ronaldinho or Schweinsteiger for example - is expected to show at least 7 players the door. With Guardiola looking to freshen up the squad with youth and dynamism, many of City’s big names could be heading for the Etihad exit.
Guardiola has already shown his seriousness to the Manchester City cause by forcing big name players to get into shape and making them work hard to remain in the first team, sending a clear message that no one is safe however big or small the player’s popularity.
Many of the City players do not fit into the Guardiola philosophy of quick passing and slick movement, and hence are expected to be surplus to requirements.
According to reports, signings of John Stones, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus are imminent, affording Pep Guardiola the luxury of offloading a few not-so-key players.
We take a look at the 5 players Pep Guardiola should offload to improve City’s chances for a title push.
#1 Yaya Toure
Arguably one of City’s best players in the past few seasons, Yaya Toure was an unstoppable force in City’s midfield for years. Toure reached his prime during the 2013/14 season, scoring 20 goals in just 35 appearances and leading City to the Premier League title.
The Ivorian, best known for his lung-bursting runs through the midfield and viciously powerful strikes, has seen his form decline rapidly since the end of the 13/14 season.
With just 10 goals in 29 games in the following season, Yaya seemed to have lost the spark that drove him the previous years. His poor form continued into the 15/16 season - scoring just 6 goals in 35 appearances.
According to Yaya Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk, teams have reportedly been lining up to get the Ivorian’s signature, the most notable of those being Inter.
City will be buoyed by Fernandinho’s solid performances, coupled with the signing of Ilkay Gundogan to ensure that Yaya’s absence will not be felt.
#2 Samir Nasri
Signed for a fee of £22 million in the summer of 2011 after a fantastic season at Arsenal, Samir Nasri was expected to be one of Manchester City’s greatest signings. Things have taken a U-turn since then though.
Having made just 12 appearances in the 15/16 season, Nasri has been one of City’s least effective players in the past few seasons.
Often employed on the wing for City, Nasri has been mainly utilised as a bit part player. Like Yaya Toure, his form has been in steady decline ever since the end of the 13/14 season.
With the signing of Nolito from Celta Vigo, Nasri’s chances are expected to be further limited. With 3 years remaining on his contract, Pep would be looking to cash in on him while he still has the chance.
#3 Wilfried Bony
After a fantastic couple of seasons at Swansea, Bony moved to City for a fee in the range of £33 million in the hopes of being a part of a title winning side, but was benched immediately. With just 6 goals in 36 appearances, the Ivorian has been considered by many to be City’s biggest flop signing ever.
Always in the shadow of Sergio Aguero, Bony has now slipped further down the pecking order with the emergence of highly rated youngster Iheanacho.
Bony does not conform to Guardiola’s quick passing style and is expected to be surplus to requirements, especially with the imminent arrival of Gabriel Jesus on the cards.
Swansea and Everton are both interested in the Ivorian striker and City are expected to offload Bony as part of a deal to obtain John Stones.
#4 Jesus Navas
Jesus Navas, at his time in Sevilla, was considered to be one of the most dangerous out and out wingers on the planet. Manuel Pellegrini managed to lure the Spaniard to City for a fee believed to be about £23 million, in an attempt to change City’s style of football.
The pacy winger though has not lived up to his potential, scoring just 8 goals in over 100 appearances spanning over 3 years at the club. The fact that Navas is now 30 years of age, coupled with Guardiola’s emphasis on youth, would lead one to assume that Navas would no longer merit a place in the squad.
With City closing in on the signing of Schalke winger Leroy Sane, Navas is expected to leave City by the end of the window.
Navas would be out of contract within the next 18 months. Several Spanish clubs including Sevilla and Barcelona have shown a keen interest in the Spaniard.
#5 Aleksander Kolarov
Aleksander Kolarov moved to City in 2010 for a fee of £16 million, but found his playing time marginalised due to the arrival of Gael Clichy in the following season.
Making just 29 appearances in all competitions in the 15/16 season, Kolarov's form has been highly inconsistent. Besiktas have shown interest in the Serbian left back and according to reports a deal in the range of £3 million is expected to be finalised by the end of July.
