Manchester City have been fairly active over the summer with the new manager eager to secure his top signings early in order to work as long as possible with them before the start of the season. Things have not been always easy and City have had to work overtime in concluding deals. While they look to have completed a majority of their signings, with a week to go for the transfer window to close, we look at some of the inevitable exits which have to take place in order to balance the squad.
Three City players who seem to have run their race in a City shirt.
JOE HART
The name City fans will hate to see on the list. One of the most loyal player and crucial part of Manchester City’s most glorious years till today. The England shot-stopper is considered as the crux of City’s success in the new era along with Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure. And the way things are shaping up, he seems to the first players amongst these super talented individuals who is going to fall by the wayside. Still having years of top quality football in him, his City journey seems to be coming to an unfortunate and a tad unfair end.
Pep has been crystal clear with his approach and has stressed the need for a ball playing goalkeeper. A sweeper keeper. And the stage Joe is in his career, it will require a herculean effort and time to transform his game all over again. But with his wages and transfer fee touted to be potential stumbling blocks, City fans nurture a flicker of hope that there is a twist somewhere before the transfer window closes.
SAMIR NASRI
A controversial figure right from the beginning, though mostly in the eyes of the sulking Arsenal fans who treated Nasri’s decision to join City as a move of betrayal on the player’s part. But to be frank it was an extremely logical and in hindsight the absolutely right decision for him. A bevy of trophies later Nasri is on the verge of seeing his City career come to an end. An extremely underrated player with his off-field activities being highlighted instead of his innumerable memorable performances and vital goals, the player has been through a roller-coaster ride during his journey in England. But with a questionable fitness record, especially in the last few seasons and the perfection demanded by Pep, his future seems to lie elsewhere. While the player would be desperate to prove his worth to the manager, the City fans, who value his importance, perhaps would understand his complicated future at the club.
ELIAQUIM MANGALA
An extremely short and abrupt City career, his departure would be a hammer blow to City’s transfer strategy of last summer. They broke the bank to sign the Frenchman and by the looks of it, the club is ready to eat humble pie and are looking at buyers for him. Possessing natural ability but severely lacking in finesse and temperament, it was hoped Pep would brandish his ‘magic’ wand and fulfil his potential. But by the look of it, Guardiola has decided to move him on and focus on other alternatives to work upon. Getting buyers will be key for him, but there is a mutual consensus that he was a big money mistake by the City hierarchy.
