Pep Guardiola has a problem at Manchester City this summer – Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have uncertain futures as their contracts expire in 2023 and no new deal is on the horizon.
Gundogan, Jesus and Sterling won’t put pen to paper on an extension due to unhappiness over inconsistent playing time, so does Guardiola need to change his approach?
The City manager now has enough squad depth to field a formidable second starting XI – Ederson/Zach Steffen; Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo/Kyle Walker, John Stones/Ruben Dias/Aymeric Laporte/Nathan Ake; Fernandinho/Rodri; Gundogan/Kevin De Bruyne/Bernardo Silva/Phil Foden; Mahrez/Sterling/Jesus; Erling Haaland/Julian Alvarez – so rotation is inevitable.
But that’s the reason why Gundogan (27/38 PL apps) is unsure where his future lies. He was public about such frustrations too. Jesus (28/38 PL apps) wants assurances over his role before signing a new deal too. And Sterling (30/38 PL apps) wanted a transfer after being left out of big last games last season.
So Guardiola might have to show his key players that he values them more otherwise an exodus could be on the cards. City can’t afford to let four players leave on a free transfer next year, so they’d likely cash in early while they still have value. That means this summer…
In other news, Man City signing Nathan Ake was a mistake