Deciding to keep or sell every single player from Man City

To get back to their best, Guardiola may feel The Citizens need a revamp and a cleanse.

So, from the squad, who are the players that should stay and who should go?

Ederson – Keep

While last summer Ederson was incredibly close to leaving City, Guardiola has confirmed that he feels the Brazilian goalkeeper and his number two, Stefan Ortega, will stay.

Speaking after the 2-0 victory over Fulham in the final game of the Premier League season, Guardiola said: “We have spoken about the squad situation and the two goalkeepers that we have will continue.”

Although the Catalan manager wasn’t totally convinced by the Brazilian at times last season, at just 31, he still has several years in him at the top level.

Stefan Ortega – Keep

Like Ederson, with Guardiola’s comments, it’s likely the German keeper will stay.

As Ortega signed a two-year contract extension last summer, it’s expected he will do at least another year in the Manchester rain.

His desire to be a consistent number one could change this, though.

Scott Carson – Keep

As a homegrown player, Scott Carson helps with registration and fulfils everything City need as a third-choice keeper.

There’s no reason to sell him.

Manuel Akanji – Keep

At 29, Manuel Akanji is in his prime years and has been incredibly solid since arriving at the club in 2022 for just £15m.

Akanji, who Liverpool were once interested in before signing Virgil van Dijk, is a reliable defender and very inexpensive.

Forcing him out would likely lead to City spending at least double to find a replacement of his quality, so he’s got to stay.

Nathan Ake – Keep

It’s been a troubled season for Nathan Ake, who has been consistently plagued by injuries. As a result, he only made 10 Premier League appearances last season.

Such injury troubles could worry Guardiola, who may look to move the Dutch defender on in favour of someone less prone to setbacks.

But the tremendous quality Ake showed – particularly in City’s treble-winning season – is worthy of the 30-year-old keeping his place in The Citizens’ squad.

Ruben Dias – Keep

This is a no-brainer – Ruben Dias has to stay at the club.

He’s been City’s best defender since he joined from Benfica in 2020 and has made himself irreplaceable in Guardiola’s side.

When the Portuguese defender is unavailable, it’s abundantly clear, as City look far less secure and lack organisation at the back.

Josko Gvardiol – Keep

Like Dias, Josko Gvardiol is another who has to stay without question.

The Croatian defender has such a unique ability that City will struggle to find elsewhere in Europe.

Gvardiol has the strong defensive abilities of a centre-half, but exceptional quality on the ball, which enables Guardiola to utilise him as a left-back.

He’s not shy to a screamer either.

Abdukodir Khusanov – Keep

Having arrived in January this year, Abdukodir Khusanov needs time with Guardiola and the club to develop and grow into the player the club believe he can.

Rico Lewis – Keep

Similar to Gvardiol, Rico Lewis is a very unique profile who brings fantastic quality on the ball and useful versatility.

Guardiola has used the 20-year-old in various positions, including right back, defensive midfielder and left back.

As Lewis has been around for a while now, it can be easy to forget he’s only 20 and will just get better.

City don’t need to sell him – so they shouldn’t.

Vitor Reis – Loan

In another of Guardiola’s January transfer window swoops, Vitor Reis joined City from Brazilian side Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras.

Reis was subject to interest from Arsenal last summer but chose The Citizens the following window.

Adapting to European football and English football in particular can be tricky for anyone. This is made even harder for Reis as he’s just 19.

Since joining City, he’s struggled for minutes, appearing only three times for the club.

So, a loan move for the young defender could be essential in helping him adapt and improve to eventually fit Guardiola’s system.

John Stones – Sell

It might be time for John Stones to finally leave The Citizens.

After nine years at the club, Stones doesn’t look to be getting any better, so now could be a good time to sell.

The English defender is 31, so the club could still squeeze some value out of the centre half.

Since joining the club all those years ago, Stones has struggled to stay fit and playing just 11 Premier League matches this season is a testament to that.

City have more reliable defenders like Akanji and Dias, who can stay away from the sidelines far more consistently.

Fans will be sad to see him go, particularly when remembering his scintillating year where he was a big part of City winning the treble, but the time might be right.

Joshua Wilson-Esbrand – Sell

Since joining City in 2019 following a successful trial period, Joshua Wilson-Esbrand has failed to break through into the first team.

Instead, he’s been sent out on loan to Coventry City, Stade de Reims, Cardiff City and most recently Stoke City.

In 2022, Leeds United reportedly wanted Wilson-Esbrand, but nothing materialised.

Following these loans, it doesn’t look likely that Wilson-Esbrand will force his way into Guardiola’s plans at the club, so they should look to move him on.

Oscar Bobb – Keep

Just before the start of the season, Oscar Bobb broke his foot, which kept him out from August to the start of March.

This was at the time when Bobb had interest from Newcastle.

The season prior, the 21-year-old had impressed Guardiola, earning 14 Premier League appearances and four Champions League games as well.

Bobb clearly has an abundance of talent, and so City should definitely take their time on him.

Jeremy Doku – Keep

There is no dribbler in the Premier League quite like Jeremy Doku.

In the 24/25 season, he topped the successful dribbles per 90 charts with 6.4 (FBref).

The next highest was Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri with 3.7 – that’s 2.7 fewer dribbles per 90.

The Belgian provides Guardiola with a dynamic option unlike any of his other players.

Doku can cause defenders nightmares with his relentless desire to run at them.

While the winger isn’t prolific in the final third, scoring just three goals and assisting six in 29 league appearances this season, his dribbling threat makes him an option Guardiola can’t afford to lose.

Claudio Echeverri – Loan

Like Reis, Claudio Echeverri joined The Citizens in the January transfer window from South America.

Echeverri agreed to join City in January 2024 – but the deal involved the Argentinian staying another 12 months with River Plate.

Since officially arriving in Manchester, Echeverri has struggled for game time, playing just nineteen minutes.

So, at only 19, a domestic loan would be beneficial for the young talent, who could adapt to English football and the physical demands of the Premier League.

Phil Foden – Keep

It’s not been a season to remember for Phil Foden, who’s struggled to light up the Premier League quite like he did in 23/24, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.

In 28 league appearances this season, Foden has scored just seven goals and assisted two. This, compared to his 19 goals and eight assists in 35 league matches the year prior, really illustrates his drop-off in form.

But one bad season doesn’t define him, and City would be foolish to let a player that good go because of that.

He’s got to stay at The Citizens.

Jack Grealish – Sell

It’s time for the £100m man to leave City.

Jack Grealish has never really hit the ground running since his huge nine-figure signing in 2021 from Aston Villa.

He’s shown promise at times, with glimpses of the tremendous quality he had at Villa, but never enough to justify his huge fee.

Last season was no different, with Grealish scoring just one goal and assisting just one in 20 league appearances.

At 29, Grealish is getting no younger, and City should cash in while they still can.

İlkay Gündoğan – Keep

In İlkay Gündoğan’s first stint at the club, he was sensational. That’s why he’s in the top 25 signings City have ever made.

Since re-joining the club on a free transfer from Barcelona, the German midfielder hasn’t quite excelled as much as he had done at the Etihad before – but with his bags of experience and huge technical ability, he’s still an incredibly useful asset to Guardiola.

Mateo Kovačić – Keep

When Mateo Kovačić signed for The Citizens from Chelsea in a £25m deal in 2023, it was up in the air as to whether he’d be good enough for City.

Two years later and there’s no doubt he is.

The Croatian midfielder is exceptional on the ball and has been a vital clog in the machine to keep City ticking after the loss of Rodri, who tore his ACL.

Kovačić is still only 31, so City could definitely squeeze a few more years out of him at the top level.

James McAtee – Sell

Scoring three Premier League goals in 15 league appearances last season, James McAtee showed promise for The Citizens.

City were reluctant to sell McAtee last summer, but may be forced to lose him this year as McAtee is keen on moving to Bayer Leverkusen.

Securing only 342 minutes in the Premier League this season, McAtee will be desperate to become a first-team regular, but at City, this is unlikely to happen yet.

So, unless McAtee is happy to go out on loan again, cashing in on the talented youngster might be the right option.

Nico Gonzalez – Keep

Arriving in January for £50m, Nico Gonzalez has already made 11 Premier League appearances, scoring once as well.

The Spaniard has clearly impressed in his short period at the club so far.

Gonzalez, at just 23, provides an option for the decade to come, which is critical for City with the ageing nature of their midfield.

Matheus Nunes – Keep

City brought in Matheus Nunes just two years ago in a substantial £53m deal.

Pep Guardiola labelled the Portuguese midfielder as one of the best midfielders in the world. Later the Catalan coach would take that back, although stating he was exceptional.

Despite this, there were murmurs last summer that City would consider selling Nunes after just a year in Manchester.

Nunes struggled to find a consistent place in the side where City really needed him.

But 12 months on, thanks to the departure of Walker on loan to AC Milan, Nunes has found himself a key component of Guardiola’s side, slotting in at right-back

The Citizens are already on the prowl for a left-back with the club reportedly advancing on Liverpool target Rayan Aït-Nouri.

But they may also look to sign a right-back, which could put Nunes’ position in the team in doubt.

That said, while pushed out of position, Nunes has impressed and has earned the right to stay at the club.

Nico O’Reilly – Keep

De Bruyne is expected to join Napoli, which leaves a gaping hole in the City team.

The Belgian has been their creative inspiration for the last decade.

While Tijjani Reijnders is reportedly close to joining City, his profile is more of an eight and less so of a 10 or creative midfielder.

This leaves City lacking that advanced midfielder still.

The Citizens did look at signing Florian Wirtz, but the expenses of that deal put them off.

This is where keeping Nico O’Reilly could be essential.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has broken through into Guardiola’s City team this season making nine Premier League appearances and scoring twice.

If he’s utilised well, with the potential he has, O’Reilly could replace De Bruyne without City needing to splash a hundred million on a replacement.

While he won’t be near the Belgian’s level yet, it enables City to spend elsewhere strengthening in different areas while developing the young talent.

Maximo Perrone – Sell

Since joining the club in January 2023 for around £8m, Maximo Perrone has made two appearances for the club spanning just 20 minutes.

He’s spent a year on loan with UD Las Palmas in Spain and then a season with Cesc Fabregas’ Como 1907..

He seemingly has no future in England, so selling him now for a profit would be good business.

Rodri – Keep

There’s probably more chance of Guardiola becoming Manchester United manager this summer than City selling Rodri.

Although he’s spent a season on the sidelines following his ACL injury, Rodri is irreplaceable and the best player in the world when fit.

Just ask the Ballon d’Or in his trophy cabinet.

Savinho – Keep

City signed Savinho last summer for £30.8m.

The Brazilian was dubbed to be a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who’d left City the year prior.

Savinho has similar traits to Mahrez with his flair and cute nature with the ball.

In his first season, he scored one league goal and assisted 10 in 29 appearances.

Not bad at all for his first year in English football.

With more time in the country, particularly as he’s being coached by Guardiola, Savinho will get better and better, so there’s no way the Brazilian should leave The Citizens this summer.

Bernardo Silva – Keep

Eight years after he moved to England, Bernardo Silva is still as critical as ever for Guardiola’s side.

The Portuguese midfielder has irreplaceable quality on the ball, backed up with a tremendous work rate.

Silva is only 30, so could still perform at the top level for several more years, which makes him an incredibly useful asset for City in the meantime.

When losing someone of the quality and experience of De Bruyne, it’d be silly to let Silva go in the same summer.

Omar Marmoush – Keep

The sale of Julián Alvarez left City without a natural back-up centre forward – but by bringing in Omar Marmoush, they’ve sorted this.

The Egyptian has scored seven Premier League goals and assisted two in his 16 appearances so far.

A terrific first few months in the English top flight.

The Citizens don’t need to have wandering eyes, as they’ve got a solid player in Marmoush, right at their fingertips.

Erling Haaland – Keep

It’s a no-brainer really.

While it wasn’t his best year, Erling Haaland still scored 22 league goals.

There’s no better goal-scorer on the planet, he’s just outrageously good.

Can City become Premier League champions again?

It’s clear that The Citizens need to sell some players, but this is not to doubt the fantastic quality in depth they already have.

Some additions like Reijnders and Aït-Nouri can definitely strengthen the eight-time Premier League champions, but they’re in an incredibly strong position regardless of incomings.

From Haaland to Dias, they have top quality throughout.

Guardiola won’t want to settle, though, so you can be sure that City will be active in the transfer window.