Manchester City squad must be trimmed: Pep Guardiola
Manchester City brought in several players ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with a large squad. PHOTO: REUTERS
ATLANTA – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on June 21 that his club will have to sell players this summer for the stars' own good.
The English Premier League side brought in several players ahead of the Club World Cup, leaving Guardiola with a large squad.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray in recent days.
Guardiola said he did not know anything about it, but said several players would have to be sold following the purchases of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
'I will love to have the players we have right now all season,' Guardiola told reporters in Atlanta.
'The problem is they will be unhappy during the season, they will be sad, they will be disappointed.
'I don't want that. I do it for them, not for me. For them. We have to see what happens, it's a long time until the transfer window will be closed, we have to see step by step.'
Guardiola has said in the past he prefers a squad size of around 20 senior players, whereas City have more than 30 at present.
Before trimming the squad, City are hoping to win the Club World Cup in the United States with their new arrivals providing fresh energy.
They beat Wydad AC in their first match and face Al Ain on June 22 (June 23, Singapore time) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they can seal qualification to the last 16.
Guardiola said Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri was not able to start the game as he continues his comeback from injury.
'He's getting better. He can play 20 minutes, 30 minutes at a time. He wants to play to help but we want to protect his knee,' said the manager.
Guardiola said he was keen to take City far in the Club World Cup, adding it was a 'privilege to be here'.
The manager dismissed some of the complaints about the competition and pointed towards the attitude of the South American clubs as an example of follow.
'I love when I see Botafogo, all the Brazilian teams, Argentinian teams, how they celebrate, how they are together, I love them,' said Guardiola.
'I'm pretty sure for the South American teams, for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinian teams, this competition is maybe the maximum...
'I like how all the games are tight, except one or two, and people are surprised, European teams lose. Welcome to the real world. Welcome to the real world, my friends.'
Guardiola said Brazilian sides would have a 'carnival for one week' if they won the tournament.
After Manchester City failed to win a trophy apart from the Community Shield, it would provide a boost heading into the new season.
Guardiola said his team and staff, both featuring new arrivals, were enjoying spending time with each other and their facilities in Florida.
'It's a privilege to be here... to be back in four years time you have to win big, big, prizes,' said Guardiola.
'Once we are here, why should not we fight to stay longer and longer and longer...
'We can say it's annoying to come here (but) I want to arrive to the last stages, and that's the truth.' AFP
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Yildiz shines as Tudor's young Juventus side maintain momentum
PHILADELPHIA - Juventus took a giant step closer to the Club World Cup round of 16 as they beat Wydad Casablanca 4-1 on Sunday thanks to an inspired performance by Kenan Yildiz. The 20-year-old Turkish forward scored twice and played a key role in an own goal, as Igor Tudor's young squad won a fourth consecutive game and extended their two-month unbeaten run to seven matches. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT: Tudor, who took over at Juventus in March following the dismissal of Thiago Motta, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the Turin club who keep improving thanks to a core of young and talented players. KEY QUOTES: Juventus manager Tudor to DAZN: "It was a different game in terms of pace and timing (than the 5-0 win against Al Ain in their opener). We scored early on, but in football you always have to be careful in every situation, regardless of the result. (Yildiz) will decide how far he can go. He has important qualities at his disposal, he has pace and ideas, as well as a great mentality. Plus, he's a golden boy." Juventus forward Yildiz to DAZN: "They say it was a double, but I think it was a hat-trick. I was the one who kicked the first goal, it deflected but I think the first one was mine too. I hope they change that later. I'm happy with my numbers, but all this is thanks to the team and we want to keep going. I think the second one is my best goal I have scored so far in my career. I think so, when I saw that I could shoot, I thought from that moment I would score a nice goal." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Yildiz shines as Tudor's young Juventus side maintain momentum
PHILADELPHIA :Juventus took a giant step closer to the Club World Cup round of 16 as they beat Wydad Casablanca 4-1 on Sunday thanks to an inspired performance by Kenan Yildiz. The 20-year-old Turkish forward scored twice and played a key role in an own goal, as Igor Tudor's young squad won a fourth consecutive game and extended their two-month unbeaten run to seven matches. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT: Tudor, who took over at Juventus in March following the dismissal of Thiago Motta, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the Turin club who keep improving thanks to a core of young and talented players. KEY QUOTES: Juventus manager Tudor to DAZN: "It was a different game in terms of pace and timing (than the 5-0 win against Al Ain in their opener). We scored early on, but in football you always have to be careful in every situation, regardless of the result. (Yildiz) will decide how far he can go. He has important qualities at his disposal, he has pace and ideas, as well as a great mentality. Plus, he's a golden boy." Juventus forward Yildiz to DAZN: "They say it was a double, but I think it was a hat-trick. I was the one who kicked the first goal, it deflected but I think the first one was mine too. I hope they change that later. I'm happy with my numbers, but all this is thanks to the team and we want to keep going. I think the second one is my best goal I have scored so far in my career. I think so, when I saw that I could shoot, I thought from that moment I would score a nice goal."
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Yildiz double powers Juventus to 4-1 victory over Wydad Casablanca
PHILADELPHIA :Kenan Yildiz struck twice and played a key role in an own goal as Juventus secured a 4-1 win over Morocco's Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup on Sunday. The Italian side top Group G with six points after two matches, three clear of Manchester City, who play UAE's Al Ain later on Sunday. Both Al Ain and Wydad have no points. Juventus started brightly at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field, taking the lead in the sixth minute. Yildiz was instrumental in the opener as his angled shot forced Wydad defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil to turn the ball into his own net in his attempt to block it. Ten minutes later, Yildiz unleashed a spectacular strike from the edge of the box into the top-right corner to give Juventus a 2-0 lead, but a mistake by the Italian defence gifted Thembinkosi Lorch a goal to reduce the deficit in the 25th minute. Juve, however, extended their lead again through Yildiz's brilliance, with the 20-year-old Turkish forward scoring their third goal from close-range in the 69th minute, with substitute Dusan Vlahovic wrapping up their commanding win from the penalty spot deep in added time.
