Fernandinho has joined Athletic Paranaense, Gabriel Jesus has joined Arsenal, Raheem Sterling is set to join Chelsea and Nathan Ake may follow him to Stamford Bridge, so Pep Guardiola could lose four first-team players in one transfer window.
What’s worse is that he’d have kept the quartet if given the choice – Fernandinho was offered a new deal, Jesus didn’t want contract talks and Sterling was offered a new deal – so the dressing room could be unsettled next season.
Fernandinho was in a supporting role last season as Rodri was Guardiola’s first-choice, but he still put in brilliant performances when called upon. Kalvin Phillips is a decent replacement as he’s an excellent ball-winner, but he’ll need to work hard on his passing.
Jesus scored 13 goals with 12 assists from 41 games last season, so he leaves big shoes to fill. Erling Haaland (29 games, 27 goals, 5 assists) and Julian Alvarez (24 games, 17 goals, 6 assists) are good replacements, however.
Sterling scored 17 goals with 9 assists from 47 games last season, but Guardiola already has Jack Grealish who can operate in his role. Whether he’s able to contribute 20+ goals next season remains to be seen, however. Cole Palmer will also be an option.
Ake was in a supporting role last season as Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte were preferred at centre-back, but he won’t be easy to replace if City want another left-footed and homegrown defender.
Having to bed in so many new signings after losing important long-serving players could have a negative effect on the team. Managers prefer to keep squad turnovers to a minimum.
In other news, Raheem Sterling set to join Chelsea after personal terms were agreed