In the modern era of football, Manchester City stand as one of the world’s elite clubs — a team that has redefined success in English football. Under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership, the Cityzens have enjoyed an era of dominance that has seen them attract some of the finest talents across the globe.
But while the club’s rise has been spectacular, it has also presented a recurring challenge: keeping every world-class player satisfied with game time.
Since Pep Guardiola took over as manager in the summer of 2016, the Sky Blues have achieved historic feats, both domestically and in Europe. Yet, there were many notable players who left Man City under the Catalan tactician.
Guardiola’s intricate tactical demands, squad rotation, and unrelenting pursuit of perfection have seen several top talents struggle for minutes — ultimately forcing them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Here, we take a look at some of the biggest players who left Man City due to limited playing time under Pep Guardiola.
Julian Alvarez moved to Atletico Madrid
At one point, Manchester City had two of the most potent strikers in world football — Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez. While Haaland arrived from Borussia Dortmund with a fearsome goal record, Alvarez came from River Plate as one of South America’s brightest prospects, having already conquered the Argentine league.
However, having two world-class forwards in a system often designed for one proved challenging. Alvarez frequently found himself deployed in secondary roles — either supporting Haaland or filling in for Kevin De Bruyne when the Belgian was unavailable. Despite contributing whenever called upon, the Argentine was visibly unsatisfied with his role as a backup.
When Atletico Madrid came calling, Alvarez saw an opportunity to play regular football and cement himself as a main striker. Guardiola, speaking candidly in an interview, admitted that he understood the forward’s decision to leave.
“Julian had to compete with Erling [Haaland]. When that happened, he’s top. That’s why now he’s at one of the best teams in the world, Atletico Madrid, playing for a top-class manager, players, performing unbelievably,” Guardiola said.
“Maybe I’d love to have him but I understand. At the end, many players have [left].”
Guardiola’s comments underline a recurring theme — City’s depth is both a blessing and a curse. While the manager would have loved to keep Alvarez, the player’s desire for consistent football ultimately made his exit inevitable.
Cole Palmer joined Chelsea due to lack of playing time
Cole Palmer’s rise through Manchester City’s youth ranks was one filled with promise. A technically gifted midfielder with flair and creativity, Palmer looked destined to follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden. But under Guardiola’s highly competitive system, breaking into the first team proved to be a monumental challenge.
Frustrated by limited opportunities, Palmer became one of the talented players who left Man City. He decided to take a bold step in 2023, joining Chelsea in search of regular Premier League action.
It didn’t take long for him to shine at Stamford Bridge. His performances in his debut season turned heads across England and earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2024 tournament.
Reflecting on his decision to leave his boyhood club, Palmer admitted how emotionally difficult the move was.
“I was so adamant for ages that I wasn’t going. I’ve never moved out of Manchester,” Palmer said on the Prime Video documentary England’s Lions: A New Generation as reported by Goal.
“I really didn’t want to go, but you get a bit disheartened at City – why am I not getting a chance to play? You just know when you’re ready to play,” he added.
Palmer’s journey serves as a reminder that sometimes talent alone isn’t enough at Manchester City — timing and opportunity play crucial roles in determining who stays and who goes.
Jack Grealish left City for Everton
Jack Grealish’s situation at Manchester City tells a different story — one of a player who initially had the trust of his manager but eventually fell out of favour.
Signed from Aston Villa for a then British record fee, Grealish arrived amid huge expectations. Guardiola immediately handed him the iconic number ten shirt, signaling his faith in the Englishman’s potential to be a creative force.
However, aside from his impressive performances during the treble-winning 2022/23 season, Grealish often struggled to consistently meet those expectations. His influence faded as younger and more dynamic players like Jeremy Doku began to shine.
By 2025, Guardiola sanctioned a loan move to Everton, hoping the winger could regain confidence and form. The Toffees reportedly have the option to make the deal permanent next summer.
While Grealish’s departure may have come as a surprise to many, it highlights how even marquee signings are not immune to Guardiola’s ruthlessly high standards. At City, competition is relentless — and maintaining form is the only guarantee of survival.
Riyad Mahrez left Man City for Al-Ahli
Among the biggest players who left Man City due to a lack of playing time was Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian winger joined from Leicester City in 2018 and quickly became a vital contributor, helping the club secure multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and finally, a UEFA Champions League in 2023.
Over his five years at the Etihad, Mahrez delivered 134 goal contributions — scoring 78 goals and providing 56 assists — an outstanding record that places him among the most productive wingers of the Guardiola era.
Yet, during City’s treble-winning campaign, Mahrez found himself increasingly sidelined in key matches. He was notably absent from the Champions League semi-final and final line-ups, a decision that ultimately pushed him toward the exit door.
“I had two years left on my contract with Manchester City, I could have stayed,” Mahrez told French newspaper L’Équipe.
“In the Champions League, I did not play the semi-final or the final. In previous seasons, I always started in the Champions League while always being impactful for my team,” he said.
Shortly after lifting the Champions League trophy, Mahrez joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, joining the growing list of European stars heading to the Middle East. His decision marked the end of an era — a brilliant winger who gave his best years to City but left seeking renewed purpose elsewhere.
James McAtee Sold to Nottingham Forest
James McAtee was another highly rated academy graduate whose path to the first team was blocked by fierce competition. Known for his intelligence and leadership — qualities that saw him captain Manchester City’s academy sides — McAtee’s dream of establishing himself at the Etihad never quite materialised.
Despite impressing in training and occasional cup appearances, the midfielder found opportunities limited in a squad filled with international stars. In the summer of 2025, he made the permanent switch to Nottingham Forest, where regular football awaited him.
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McAtee’s departure reflects the difficulty of making the leap from City’s youth system to their star-studded senior team — a transition that only a few, like Phil Foden, have successfully managed.
Angelino joined RB Leipzig from Manchester City
For Spanish full-back Angelino, who was among the players who left Man City over lack of playing time, the story was one of frustration and disappointment. After joining Manchester City in 2019, he found it nearly impossible to earn Guardiola’s trust.
Despite being technically sound and attack-minded, his defensive attributes were often questioned — something that worked against him in Guardiola’s meticulous tactical setup.
The left-back made only a handful of appearances before being loaned to RB Leipzig, where he flourished in the Bundesliga. His performances in Germany prompted the club to make his move permanent, proving that his lack of opportunities at City wasn’t down to talent, but rather a mismatch in managerial expectations.
Reflecting on his time under Guardiola, Angelino didn’t hide his frustration.
“It killed me. The confidence was everything; when you don’t have the trust of a coach it is everything,” he said in an interview with talkSPORT.
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“I was judged from two pre-season games and then I didn’t get my chance for a few months.”
His comments shed light on the mental strain players can experience when they feel undervalued — even in one of the best clubs in the world.
