Pep Guardiola may trim Man City squad to avoid having ‘sad’ players

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may churn down the club’s squad to avoid having sad players in the team. The Cityzens went trophyless in the previous season after they finished in third position in the Premier League. The Sky Blues were also stunned by Crystal Palace in the final of the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Guardiola has taken a 27-man squad, including new signings Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Marcus Bettinelli, for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Mateo Kovacic was set to play in the tournament but an Achilles Heel injury ruled him out. Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips and James McAtee are also not part of the squad.

In the previous season, Guardiola had said he would relinquish his duty if he is asked to lead a large squad.

Speaking ahead of City’s game against Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday, he indicated that some players will have to leave.

“I would love to have the players that we have now all season,” said Guardiola.

“I would love it. I don’t have any complaints about the players, how they behave.

“The problem is they will be unhappy during the season. They will be sad, they will be disappointed. I don’t want that. For me it’s not a problem.

“I have more selection but I don’t like to be six, seven players — just in case, no injuries — being at home. So I do it that way.

“I do that for them. So that’s why we have to see what happens. We still have a long time, I would say, until the transfer window will be closed.”

The Spaniard was asked about Ilkay Gündogan’s future. The German footballer returned to City after playing for Barcelona but he has been linked with a move to Galatasaray.

“I don’t know anything,” said Guardiola.

“I didn’t speak with him, and if he will not be part [of the squad] he would not be here.

“But at the same time, we have, right now, a long squad, too many players, so we cannot go with 26, 27 players this season because there would be more without playing, and step by step maybe a few players are going to move.

“But right now, Ilkay is absolutely part of my mind and the team.”