Guardiola open to City squad tweaks

Nov 28, 2017 - 5:12 PM Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he is not done reshaping his squad and will discuss each of his players' futures with them during the next two transfer windows.

City recruited heavily in the close season, spending more than 200 million pounds ($347m) as Guardiola turned his attention to the wide positions after strengthening central defence, attack and midfield the previous season.

Full-backs Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker were brought in for a combined total of more than 100 million pounds before the start of the current campaign, along with right back Danilo, winger Bernardo Silva and goalkeeper Ederson.

These additions have resulted in others, including the likes of defender Eliaquim Mangala and midfielder Yaya Toure, having to be satisfied with bit-part roles this season. Guardiola said he would allow unhappy players to leave the club.

"In the future, in the winter break and in the summertime, we are going to rescale absolutely everything," the Spaniard told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Premier League home game against Southampton.

"Not just with Mangala, for everybody. The club is going to ask them if they are happy or if they are not. If they are comfortable in the position they had in the past, playing or not playing? They have to decide.

"The future will be like this. We always want players who want to stay here."

City's recruitment since Guardiola's arrival has had the desired effect. City are eight points clear at the top, with players such as John Stones, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus - all signed in the manager's first season - having a huge impact.

Mangala, signed from Porto two years before Guardiola took the helm, has yet to start a league game this season. But with Stones out injured, the manager will have no problem drafting him into the team because of his impressive attitude.

"I am really impressed about his behaviour in training sessions. He hasn't played regularly until now and he has always accepted it," Guardiola said.

"For a manager, for a club and for the environment in the squad that is so important."

Source: AAP