Manchester City have been quite busy in this summer transfer business, and many more deals are expected to be completed in the coming days. Coming off a terrible season, Pep Guardiola seems determined to strengthen his team ahead of the forthcoming 2025/26 season.
However, while Man City’s summer transfer plan is meant to add more quality players to the team, many City players may decide to move elsewhere before the new season begins.
This was confirmed by Pep Guardiola when he claimed that he wouldn’t be able to keep a large squad next season. The City boss insisted he wouldn’t be able to manage a team of too many players.
“I said to the club I don’t want that [a bigger squad],” Guardiola said as reported by Sky Sport. He added that he does not “want to leave five or six players in the freezer.”
According to him, he will not hesitate to leave his position as the City Head Coach if nothing is done about the large squad. He said, “I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.”
Having added four additional players to the squad this summer, some players will certainly leave the club. Therefore, the following are the players who might have played their last game for the Sky Blues.
John Stones
Stones is undoubtedly one of the long-serving players at the Etihad Stadium. The Englishman has sacrificed everything for the club, but it may be time to seek playing time elsewhere. The Centre-Back is likely to be among the players joining another club, as part of Man City’s summer transfer plan to offload players.
At 31, the versatile defender has failed to remain fit. He continues to struggle to replicate his incredible treble-winning season performance.
Last season, he only managed to start 19 games across all competitions. This is considerably low compared to his 31 start in a competition the previous season.
Also, the addition of three defenders to the first team in the last two transfer windows means some older defenders will need to make space for younger ones.
Nathan Ake
Ake has a similar plight to the Englishman at City. Just like Stones, Ake has been struggling with fitness even though he is one of the best defenders at the club.
The Netherlands international will likely find a new club this summer due to Man City’s summer transfer plan to free up the squad. His absence is not expected to be an issue for Pep Guardiola because he only managed to start 14 matches across all competitions last season.
Also, the club might have gotten a replacement for the Netherlands defender after buying Abdukodir Khusanov in January. The Uzbek international was limited to a few numbers of matches last season but may get more playing opportunities when players like Ake and others are sold.
Jack Grealish
Five years ago, Manchester City broke the bank to sign Grealish, one of the most exciting players to watch. The Englishman joined the Sky Blues with the hope of building an unforgettable legacy at the club. However, a few years later, it is obvious he will need to find another club.
The winger is one of the players to be offloaded in line with Man City’s summer transfer plan ahead of the next season. He was allowed to look for another club while his colleagues made their way to America for the Club World Cup.
To some City fans, the signing of the Englishman was bad business for the club. However, some believe he has contributed enough to the club’s success in recent years. His performance during the treble-winning season was said to be the reward for the high transfer fee paid to buy him.
Meanwhile, he hasn’t been able to replicate his treble-winning season contributions to the club, and it’s now clear that he will need to find another club.
James McAtee
McAtee is another talented young player who may need to leave Etihad Stadium to realise his dream. The hope of securing a role in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven has become difficult for the youngster.
Last season, he managed to start eight matches across all competitions. However, this may reduce next season with the arrival of more experienced midfielders at the club this summer.
Pep Guardiola decided to bring in more experienced players rather than putting his trust in the young and inexperienced academy products. Therefore, a move away from his boyhood club seems certain for the young England international.
Stefan Ortega
The City’s backup goalkeeper could be on his way out of the club this summer. The German international has failed to secure a spot in Pep Guardiola’s matchday squad since he joined the club.
The presence of Ederson Moraes at City means Ortega will always be relegated to the bench, particularly during crucial matches. As a result of this, he may decide to look for another club.
Should he decide to leave, Marcus Bettinelli could become a backup goalkeeper for Pep Guardiola. The goalkeeper was bought from Chelsea this summer to replace Scott Carson.
Kalvin Phillips
Phillips is one player that Manchester City are desperate to sign this summer. The Englishman has not only lost his place among the first team, but also within the club.
He’s a player the Sky Blues will be willing to sell immediately there is a club ready to buy him. The once-talented England national team midfielder spent previous seasons on loan at different clubs. Surprisingly, none of these clubs were willing to make the deal permanent.
As a result of this, he remains a player of Manchester City. His contract with the club only expires in 2027.
Meanwhile, while some players may be sold, the Cityzens will be excited to watch these players when the season begins.