Pep Guardiola has made a bold demand to Manchester City's hierarchy – reduce the squad size or he'll walk away. The decorated manager expressed how it pains him to repeatedly tell international stars they won't even make the bench on matchdays.
"I said to the club... I don't want to leave five or six players in the freezer," Guardiola told reporters after City's 3-1 win over Bournemouth. "I don't want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay."
The Citizens currently have 28 players in their first team, with talent worth a reported €1.3 billion ($1.47 billion). This enormous squad has created headaches for Guardiola when everyone is fit. In Tuesday's victory, internationals Savinho, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Claudio Echeverri all failed to make the squad. English talents James McAtee and Rico Lewis were also left watching from the stands.
From Injury Crisis to Selection Nightmare
The irony isn't lost on City fans who witnessed their team suffer through an injury crisis earlier this season. Between October and November, the club endured an uncharacteristic five-match losing streak across all competitions.
This prompted a January spending spree exceeding $224 million. City brought in Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Khusanov, and Nico Gonzalez to bolster their depleted ranks. Now, with only John Stones and Nathan Ake sidelined, Guardiola faces the opposite problem – too many options.
"It is impossible for my soul to keep telling so many players they would be watching from the stands," the manager admitted. He suggested promoting academy players when injuries strike instead of maintaining such a bloated squad.
Guardiola, who recently extended his City contract until 2027, seems serious about this ultimatum. His preference for a streamlined squad could significantly impact City's transfer strategy this summer, with several fringe players likely heading for the exit.
What This Means for City's Future
This development has major implications for both the club and potential bettors. A leaner City squad might mean more consistent playing time for key performers, potentially improving team chemistry and performance in crucial matches.
However, it could also leave them vulnerable to injury crises like the one they experienced this season. The Premier League champions currently sit third with just one match remaining in the campaign.
For those considering long-term bets, this squad reduction might influence City's ability to compete across multiple fronts next season. The club will defend their Club World Cup title next month, and Guardiola's focus seems to be on quality over quantity moving forward.
Players on the fringes of City's squad will now be under intense scrutiny, with summer departures looking increasingly likely. The transfer market could see several talented City players become available, creating ripple effects throughout European football.
