SAD News for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City as THREE BIG NAME player has informed the club that the will be leaving this summer
Manchester City’s defence and goalkeeper were so safe a year ago that fans sang in praise of their stoppers.
Ederson and Ake. Walker & Akanji. Ruben Dias. Johnny Stone.
The goalie was unstoppable and justified his manager’s unwavering trust with a Champions League-winning performance in Istanbul. Stones, who moved into midfield, was recreating the centre-back position. Nathan Ake ended City’s protracted hunt for a ‘decent’ left-back. Manu Akanji, who signed for a bargain sum of £14 million, was filling in wherever needed.
Kyle Walker was the sole question mark following the triple win. He was omitted for the final and considered a move to Bayern Munich, but instead signed a new contract, won the captain’s armband, and no defender started more games this season.
Walker, who turns 34 today, concedes his playing time may have to be reduced in the coming seasons, raising concerns about the future of the right-back position. Stones fell out of the first-team picture throughout the season and will have to work hard during the summer to recapture his spot.
Even Dias’ position was insecure. They were pushed out of the team by regular high-level performances from newcomer Josko Gvardiol, as well as Ake and Akanji, who deserved their spots in the latter months of the season based on merit. Guardiola stuck to his slogan that a player who performs well would maintain his shirt, shaking up the hierarchy in the process.
Behind the defense, Ederson has been connected with an exodus and backup. Stefan Ortega thinks he may depart this summer in quest of greater playing time.
In the first of three squad reviews, we examine at where each goalie and defensive player sits after 2023/24 and what they need to perform next season:
Who might leave?
Let us start with the negative news. Stefan Ortega was the first player to suggest he would depart this summer following a strong run of games. He wants to play more, and Pep Guardiola has frequently informed him that he will remain number two next season.
His family circumstances may influence his decision, since he is expecting his second kid, but he revealed last week that there have been no offers that compare to what City has provided him thus far. Ederson has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, which might complicate the situation, but Guardiola and City want him to stay.
Sergio Gomez, who made only six Premier League games totaling 47 minutes all season, had an average of 29 minutes across 15 outings in a disappointing year. The 26-year-old has two years left on his contract, but he will undoubtedly try to depart for more playing time, either permanently or on loan.
He is best suited as a fifth-choice left-back and farther back on the flank, positions that will not alter for the better next season.
