ATLANTA — Pep Guardiola has steered he’ll slim down his Manchester Metropolis squad earlier than the tip of the switch window to keep away from having “unhappy” gamers subsequent season.
Metropolis have introduced a 27-man squad to the U.S. — together with new signings Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Marcus Bettinelli — for the FIFA Membership World Cup.
Mateo Kovacic would even have been included earlier than an Achilles damage dominated him out of the event.
Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips and James McAtee are among the many gamers absent.
Guardiola mentioned on the finish of final season he would “give up” if he was pressured to work with a bloated squad.
And talking forward of Metropolis’s sport towards Al Ain in Atlanta on Sunday, he hinted that some gamers should depart.
“I might like to have the gamers that now we have now all season,” mentioned Guardiola.
“I might adore it. I haven’t got any complaints concerning the gamers, how they behave.
“The issue is they are going to be sad through the season. They are going to be unhappy, they are going to be upset. I do not need that. For me it isn’t an issue.
“I’ve extra choice however I do not prefer to be six, seven gamers — simply in case, no accidents — being at house. So I do it that manner.
“I do this for them. In order that’s why now we have to see what occurs. We nonetheless have a very long time, I might say, till the switch window might be closed.”
Guardiola has normally needed to work with a squad of 20 outfield gamers and three goalkeepers. It could imply no less than three of the gamers he is dropped at the U.S. leaving earlier than the Premier League kicks off in August.
He was requested particularly about the way forward for Ilkay Gündogan, who sources have instructed ESPN is being chased by Galatasaray.
The 34-year-old midfielder has a 12 months left on his contract and faces added competitors for his place following Rodri’s return and Reijnders’ arrival from Milan.
“I do not know something,” mentioned Guardiola.
“I did not communicate with him, and if he is not going to be half [of the squad] he wouldn’t be right here.
“However on the identical time, now we have, proper now, an extended squad, too many gamers, so we can not go along with 26, 27 gamers this season as a result of there could be extra with out taking part in, and step-by-step perhaps a couple of gamers are going to maneuver.
“However proper now, Ilkay is totally a part of my thoughts and the staff.”