Manchester City sealed their fourth Premier League title in five seasons while reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League, but Pep Guardiola could have a summer exodus on his hands if reports are to be believed.
Fernandinho opted against signing a new deal and left on a free transfer, Gabriel Jesus opted against signing a new deal and left to join Arsenal, Raheem Sterling is opting against signing a new deal and is in talks with Chelsea, Ilkay Gundogan is opting against signing a new deal and Bernardo Silva wants to leave amid interest from Barcelona.
Guardiola replaced Fernandinho with Kalvin Phillips and brought in Erling Haaland before Jesus left, but he doesn’t have alternatives if Sterling, Gundogan and Silva departed. The City manager can’t afford to lose half a starting eleven in one transfer window, so he’ll be desperate to win his players over.
Jesus’ qualms were over playing time and his positional role, Sterling’s qualms are over him not starting enough big games, Gundogan’s qualms are over playing assurances next season while Silva just dreams of joining the Catalans. Guardiola needs to make his players feel welcome, but his squad rotation style is doing the opposite.
It’s a big statement to leave City for a lesser club just to start more games, and there are four other players who could follow Fernandino and Jesus through the exit door, so Pep may have a problem.
In other news, Cole Palmer could replace Raheem Sterling next season