Pep Guardiola has arrived at Manchester City and hasn’t been afraid to shake things up. Fan favourite Joe Hart has already been shipped out to Torino, whilst Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala quickly followed suit. But who else could be in danger of being shown the door? We look at five players who will have to impress Guardiola if they wish to remain at the Etihad.
Vincent Kompany
Form last season: City’s captain spent much of last season injured, but his importance to the team was such that they looked lost whenever he wasn’t playing.
Form this season: Played just one game against Swansea in the EFL Cup and suffered another injury. City’s defence has looked competent so far, so he hasn’t been missed.
Will he stay or will he go?
As captain he surely must stay, but Guardiola has shown that no one is safe.
Where could he go?
He won’t be short of options, but it seems unlikely that he’d play for any team who aren’t going to be competing for a league title.
Fabian Delph
Form last season: Made 27 appearances in all competitions last season, but was never able to nail down a first team place. Injuries hampered his season.
Form this season: Has made 3 appearances so far, but might struggle to get a game with Fernandinho’s form and Ilkay Gundogan returning from injury.
Will he stay or will he go?
Likely to stay due to a lack of interest from elsewhere and because he fills the home-grown player quota.
Where could he go?
He’ll stay in the Premier League, but might drop down to a mid/lower table team.
Pablo Zabaleta
Form last season: Injuries and burn-out affected him last season after two years of non-stop football. A move to Roma reportedly broke down over the summer.
Form this season: Has made 7 appearances in all competitions so far, but like much of City’s team hasn’t done much wrong yet.
Will he stay or will he go?
Age isn’t on his side anymore and he’s slipped to third right-back on the list, with Bacary Sagna and John Stones ahead of him. His contract expires at the end of the season.
Where could he go?
Italy is a league where defenders go once age and a lack of pace catches up with them.
Bacary Sagna
Form last season: He made 45 appearances across all competitions last season. He was part of a City defence that looked lost without Vincent Kompany in the middle of it.
Form this season: Has made 5 appearances so far and has adapted well to Pep Guardiola’s style. He’s done what’s asked of him, but will Guardiola want more?
Will he stay or will he go?
Pep Guardiola described him as a Manchester City player “for now”, which could be ominous for the Frenchman. Like Zabaleta, time also isn’t on his side and he could leave at the end of the season.
Where could he go?
Like Zabaleta, he could be one heading to Italy, but he won’t be short of options. Whether anyone would want to pay his wages for a player in their mid-30s is another question.
Yaya Toure
Form last season: Looked to be waning at times and didn’t produce any of the form that we’ve become accustomed to seeing.
Form this season: Hasn’t played yet and won’t play until his agent apologises.
Will he stay or will he go?
His contract is up at the end of the season, but City are said to be willing to see him go in January.
Where could he go?
He won’t be short of suitors, but his wages will prove a stumbling block for any side interested in him.
