AFCON 2025
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Pep Guardiola has indicated he plans to trim Manchester City’s squad before the transfer window closes to prevent having disappointed players next season.
City brought a 27-man squad to the U.S. for the FIFA Club World Cup, including new signings Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Marcus Bettinelli.
Mateo Kovacic was set to join but was sidelined by an Achilles injury. Notable absences include Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips, and James McAtee.
Last season, Guardiola vowed to “quit” if forced to manage an oversized squad. Ahead of City’s match against Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday, he suggested some players may need to depart.
“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.”
