Guardiola hints at exit for pair of Man City stars but confirms the future of another | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has hinted towards the possible exit of two of his key Man City players, while at the same time, the Catalan ended speculation on the future of Ilkay Gundogan.

The former City captain returned to the club on a free transfer from FC Barcelona in the summer. He signed a one-year contract with an option for the club to extend the deal for an additional year.

The German’s return to Manchester has not been as triumphant as he would have hoped. It has been a disappointing season for City and a squad overhaul is now expected. The midfielder has been linked with a summer move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Since no extension has been officially announced, Guardiola was asked if there is any uncertainty surrounding Gundogan’s future. He revealed: “No, he has one more year on his contract, definitely.

“What’s going to happen, I don’t know, but he has one more year contract now.”

The 34-year-old has not looked like the same player that left Manchester after winning the treble in 2023. Despite this, he has put in a string of good performances in recent weeks.

Following City’s 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace, his manager insisted: “The Gundo from Leicester, the Gundo from Bournemouth, the Gundo from today, is the Gundo I remember from when we won the treble and the quadruple and he was an important player.”

City’s boss was less positive on the future of two other key members from the treble-winning side. Guardiola admitted: “Nathan (Ake), like John Stones, has been injured all the season.”

The pair of defenders have managed just 14 league starts between them this season. Their manager revealed: “The most important thing from my point of view is, what I said to the club, ‘which players are reliable for the future?’

“You cannot perform if you are not reliable, if you are injured.”

The Catalan continued: “Which players do we have, that can play every three days, three days, three days? Or that cannot play every three days, three days? And then we build the squad for the next season.”

Although Guardiola was far from announcing that Ake and Stones will not continue with the club, the implication of his comments are clear. The coach needs reliable players and that will be central to the club’s thinking this summer.

On the summer, the manager claimed that he does not know how many signings City will make. He maintained: “No, no, it’s true. I have no idea. All the players are contracted, we’ll see what happens. No idea.”