Ever since Pep Guardiola took over the reins at Manchester City, he has been at pains to play down the hype and lower the expectations which immediately had tripled on his arrival. Every manager needs time and even more so when one is so fixated on his philosophy and is determined to achieve success through that process.
There was a mutual feeling all around the club that a majority of the players would be making way in the summer and while the expected massive overhaul did not materialise, there have been enough signs to understand the direction Pep Guardiola is heading towards. He has fought perception and assumption throughout his time here and till he gets his ideal XI together, he is likely to keep getting that.
While there will be another batch of exits, there will also be a number of new players coming through the gates of the magnificent Etihad Stadium.
Let us take a look at 3 players who are likely to be targeted by Pep in the summer window-
LEONARDO BONUCCI
The Italian is nearing his end at Juventus with the Italian side shifting their focus to youth and the latest bust-up between the player and the manager seems to have set the wheels for the exit in motion. He has been a rock at the back for Juventus for 7 long years and at 30, might want to test himself in more difficult conditions. Cue for a move to England. His ball playing abilities, especially his pin-point diagonal balls from the defence will be a treat for the sore eyes of Pep and given the circumstances are conducive, we can see this deal happening.
ISCO
Pep and midfielders. The word more synonymous beside his name than Guardiola is Midfielders. He has, on multiple occasions professed his admiration and fixation for this particular type of players and has even gone on to say he would play with 11 of them if there was an ideal world.
But alas, he has to make do with 2 or at max 3, especially in England. Toure and Delph and maybe Fernando are likely to move on and someone like Isco, if available, would be a perfect fit for Manchester City.
HECTOR BELLERIN
Pep and pace. Pep and hard work. Pep and quality. Pep and technique. Bellerin ticks all the boxes and is even at a club who seem to be quite a way away from a trophy in near future. Bellerin is young and is a Barcelona product. He seems to be the ideal Pep player in the hustling Premier League. But It would need a great deal of convincing a good amount of cash to initiate the move.
