Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has a serious amount of work to do in the summer.
Pep Guardiola has experienced his toughest ever season at Manchester City this term, and arguably the most challenging throughout his entire career.
The Man City manager now has the chance to win only one trophy this season – the FA Cup, and that’s quite the comedown from years gone by.
Wednesday night’s defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League encapsulated City’s season so far, and it was a big wake-up call for everyone involved with the club.
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Sheikh Mansour now has an easy decision to make ahead of the summer window – he needs to back Pep to the hilt in order to facilitate the rebuild required at The Etihad.
It obviously won’t be easy for Manchester City to go out and spend lavishly, given the strict new PSR constraints.
So certain players will need to leave to make the rebuild possible.
It has been well-documented that the likes of Kevin De Bruyne could lead the Etihad exodus.
However, one name has now been linked with an exit in the summer, and it will undoubtedly raise some eyebrows.
Pep Guardiola ready to sell Manchester City ace John Stones
According to the Mirror, Pep is planning a seriously big clear-out at The Etihad in the summer.
EIGHT names are set for the chop, and one of them really caught the eye.
John Stones is apparently one of the players who Pep is prepared to move on when the summer transfer window opens.
He is City’s second longest serving current player, behind only Kevin De Bruyne.
The 30-year-old joined Manchester City from Everton in the summer of 2016 for around £47.5 million (BBC).
Stones has gone on to play 277 games for City, and has scored 19 goals in the process.
During that time, he has accrued 83 international caps for England, and has firmly established himself as one of the best ball-playing defenders in world football.
The former Everton man has won six Premier League titles with Man City, as well as two FA Cups and a Champions League.
The fact that Guardiola is said to be prepared to let Stones leave just highlights the fact that he is truly intent on overseeing a complete squad revamp at The Etihad during the off-season.
Pep planning Man City rebuild – the eight players who could be sold
City fans should be expecting a huge turnover amongst the playing staff this summer.
Guardiola has already begun his spending spree by bringing in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis in the January transfer window.
However, more big money signings are expected before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
In order for that to happen though, numerous players will need to be shipped out first.
As mentioned above, Stones could be sent packing, but there are another seven names who potentially could be exited.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will allegedly listen to offers for Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson and Kyle Walker.
It’s clear to see that Man City need a big refresh this summer, and it wouldn’t be hugely surprising to see any of those players leave given the drop off in form they’ve all displayed this season.
However, John Stones is one player who has actually maintained his levels, when he has ben available for selection for Manchester City.
If the 30-year-old does indeed leave The Etihad this summer after nine years at the club, it would be a big shock.
