'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Things have not gone to plan for Manchester City so far this season, especially in the Premier League. The Cityzens have been unnerved so far with two losses and a draw in the first eight games, leaving them eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
While it is way too early for the defending champions to concede the title race, the fact that City has slipped behind this early won't rest easy with the arch-perfectionist that is Pep Guardiola.
In this regard, he does bear some of the blame. A summer that saw the departure of Vincent Kompany and his considerable influence offered the chance for a change. This chance was spurned and the results have become clear to see.
The long-term injuries to Leroy Sane, John Stones and especially Aymeric Laporte have take a toll on the team, primarily on the defensive end. Coupled with Benjamin Mendy and his perennial injury record, Guardiola has been unable to field a back-line to his satisfaction..
There is a need to change some members of the team with whom time has begun to catch up. Here is a look at five players the Cityzens will need to replace sooner or later.
#5 Sergio Aguero
On the face of it, it sounds ridiculous to include El Kun on this list. Aguero has been one of City's standout performers so far this season with eight goals already in eight Premier League games.
The Argentine has been sublime since Guardiola came to the Etihad Stadium. Gabriel Jesus, who was touted as his immediate replacement is still very much the understudy three years after. However, the 31-year-old's current contract ends in 2021 and he has made no secret about his desire to return to boyhood club, Independiente in Argentina.
This means that next season could be his last in Manchester City colours and City will need find his successor soon. How do you replace a striker who cost £35m and has netted 172 goals in 247 Premier League matches?
This is the question that Guardiola and sporting director, Txiki Begiristain will need to begin to tackle. In the current climate, City will be well aware that the young talents who could replace Aguero may cost in the region of £100m plus. Then again, they do have deep pockets.
#4 Ilkay Gundogan
It’s difficult to say that Ilkay Gundogan has not been successful in his time at Manchester City. However, it will not be out of place to suggest the German international has not been a key man since he joined the Cityzens.
His early time at the club following his £25m move from Borussia Dortmund was mainly filled long absences from the first team as a result of injuries. Gundogan has played important roles in the title-winning campaigns but was never as essential as a Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Ederson, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure or Vincent Kompany have been.
With a contract that ends in 2023 and the expected exits of stalwarts like David Silva, it seems that season could be a good time to move the 28-year-old on and make space for players like Claudio Gomes or Aleix Garcia.
Inter Milan were said to have been interested last season but did not make a formal offer. The time has come for the German to move on if the new-look team are to transition properly.
#3 David Silva
El Mago as he is fondly called by the City faithful has undoubtedly been one of the best midfielders of the Premier League era. Brought in for £25m in 2010, the Spaniard has been intergral to the four league title the side has won since then.
His blend of technique, passing, ball playing and skills have helped the City navigate through many difficult games and occasions. However, in what is set to be his last season in the blue jersey, Silva's influence has not been what it used to be.
De Bruyne is now the undisputed man pulling the strings for Guardiola's side while Bernardo Silva has shown that he is more than capable of replacing the Spaniard in the number 10 role.
Young propsect, Phil Foden has started making sounds about being given chances to prove himself. Getting the England starlet into the team to replace Silva could be a smart play by Guardiola. His youthfulnes and eagerness to get forward with the ball could be a boon for the side.
#2 Fernandinho
Fernandinho has possibly been the most important player for the Cityzens especially since Guardiola turned up in 2015
The 32-year-old has been the understated glue that has held the team together. His tackling, marking, passing and intercepting abilities have helped the team snuff out many dangerous attacks by oppositions.
The arrival of Rodri in the summer and injuries to central defenders Laporte and Stones has seen the Brazilian international deputise as an emergency centre-back.
While he clearly has the knowledge to play this role, his lack of pace has left him exposed alongside an already unreliable Nicolas Otamendi. He was culpable in the 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers and cannot be relied on until the injured duo are back.
The time has come to let him go at end of season although there are rumours that he could extend for another term. Croatian youth prospect Ante Palavasera is one of the options the club currently has who could be a replacement.
#1 Nicolas Otamendi
Once Laporte and Stones are back in the team, it will almost certainly mean the end of the road for Nicolas Otamendi. How the former Valencia star has become a personification of comical defending is one of the more baffling backward transformations in football recently.
Over committing to tackles, rash, headstrong and with zero sense of awareness, Otamendi has become a gift that has kept on giving; to Manchester City's opponents. It was thought during the summer that the Argentine would leave along with Kompany but somehow, he stayed on.
January cannot come soon enough for the powers-that-be at the Etihad Stadium with it almost certain that the 31-year-old will either leave the club or be relegated to the bench like last season.
Martin Skriniar, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake have been mentioned in the press as the likely candidates to replace the departed Kompany. One of Eric Garcia or England's U-17 captain, Taylor Harwood-Bellis is set to battle for the fourth centre-back berth. This would all but spell the end for Otamendi's time in Manchester.
