Pep Guardiola's axe: These Man City players set to go

Pep Guardiola's axe: These Man City players set to go

Pep Guardiola will not count on a number of players currently in the Manchester City squad. The Catalan coach, who didn’t need to revolutionise Bayern Munich’s squad when he arrived in Germany, will repeat what happened in the Barcelona dressing room in the summer of 2008, when nine players left Camp Nou as they were not in his plans. 

That was done in direct collaboration with Txiki Begiristain, who is now waiting for him in Manchester preparing to make many changes at the Premier League club in the summer. Almost eight years ago Barça, in one way or another, got rid of Ronaldinho, Edmilson, Zambrotta, Deco, Thuram, Oleguer, Ezquerro, Giovani and Crosas and in their places brought in Keita, Pique, Dani Alves, Cáceres, Hleb, Henrique and Busquets.

That revolution, which ended up with the treble the following summer, is likely to be similar to what happened at Manchester City, where the list of departures is already looking quite clear. 

WHO WILL GO?

YAYA TOURE. About to turn 33 and with just one year left on his deal, the midfielder’s form and importance has dipped this season. If the arrival of Guardiola led to doubts about his future in Manchester, his current form has only served to increase those doubts. His agent has already hinted that his relationship with the Catalan coach means his future is away from the club he joined from Barça in 2010.  

MARTIN DEMICHELIS. Used in 31 games this season, the Argentine centre-back, 35, is out of contract and will not fit into Guardiola’s plans. City are known to be looking for younger defenders with more quality.  

GAEL CLICHY. Shaky in defence and ineffective in attack, the French defender is unlikely to fulfil the final year of his deal. Has failed to prove himself in the most important matches, to the point that Manuel Pellegrini has even dropped him on several occasions in the past.

BACARY SAGNA. Was a Barcelona target when Guardiola arrived (they went for Dani Alves instead), but now, at 33, his time at the top is coming to an end. Signed in 2014 from Arsenal, he has one year left on his contract at City, but like Clichy he may not complete it. 

FERNANDO. The Brazilian, 28, joined the English side from Porto for 16 million euros in the summer of 2014, along with Mangala. Some feel Guardiola could recover his best form, but the majority feel the best solution would be to sell him to fund money for other, more adequate midfielders.  

WILLY CABALLERO. Signed at the request of Pellegrini from Malaga. In two years, he has played 21 games and has never been a serious threat to Joe Hart. He has one year left on his deal, but Guardiola would rather sign a young goalkeeper with a long future in the game, with Hart’s future also a point of debate. 

WILFRID BONY. the 27-year-old forward, signed from Swansea last January, has not performaed as expected. There are rumours he could return to the Welsh squad.  

SAMIR NASRI. Considered one of the best players technically, but his lack of commitment means he may not have a future under Guardiola at Man City. He will be put on the market in the hope that an offer arrives from somewhere. 

ALEKSANDR KOLAROV. As irregular as he is explosive, the left-back’s future is in the hands of Guardiola, who has still not decided if the Serbian has a future at the club. In his favour is his attacking ability, but his lack of consistency is a cause for concern. 

RICHARD WRIGHT. Arrived from Preston in 2012, the veteran goalkeeper, 38, is out of contract this summer and likely to leave. He has not played a single match in four years, instead helping the club meet their quota of homegrown players.

PABLO ZABALETA. The Argentine full-back, 31, has one year left on his contract at Eastlands. He recognises his future is in doubt and there’s rumours of an offer from Inter Milan. However, City value his role in the dressing room a lot and there’s a feeling the new manager will want him to continue at the club.