Manchester City’s success over the last few years has been largely down to Pep Guardiola and his recruitment in bringing in players who have thrived under his guidance.
The Spaniard has won four successive Premier League titles at the Etihad, but is set to miss out this season with the main fight now to secure Champions League qualification.
Regardless of whether the side secure a top-five place between now and the end of May, an overhaul of the first-team squad is desperately needed to push the club closer to the summit of the division.
Incomings are most certainly needed in the summer, continuing in the vein of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov, who all arrived at the Etihad in January.
However, if they are to afford such additions, Guardiola may have to offload multiple players, including one who’s unfortunately failed to live up to the hype he arrived with.
Why Matheus Nunes must be sold by City this summer
Matheus Nunes joined City from Wolves back in the summer of 2023 for a reported £53m, looking to inject added quality into an already impressive midfield department.
However, nearly two years on from his move to the Etihad, the 26-year-old has struggled to maintain a regular starting role in his natural position, subsequently shifting to right-back.
Whilst he’s notched 33 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, if the side are to reach the next level after the summer, reinforcements are needed in such a department.
His fate in Manchester also looks to be decided, with Guardiola recently quoted saying that he doesn’t think he can feature in the middle of the park due to not being “clever enough” in such a role.
Such comments could lead to a departure in the summer should an acceptable offer present itself, possibly joining another player out of the door in the process.
The player who could leave City alongside Nunes this summer
Nunes has ultimately been unable to have the impact he would’ve imagined upon moving to City, with a fresh start arguably needed for both parties in the coming months.
Some deals have been worthwhile, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva cementing their places in the heart of the side during Guardiola’s reign.
John Stones was another player who cost a pretty penny, joining the Citizens for a reported £50m back in 2016 from fellow Premier League outfit Everton.
The 30-year-old has been key to their success under the Spaniard, notching 277 appearances in his near nine-year stint in the first team at the Etihad.
He’s also won 13 major honours during such a timeframe, including six Premier League triumphs, with four in a row coming before the ongoing campaign.
However, over the past couple of seasons, the England international has been plagued by various different injuries which have prevented him from making a huge contribution at the Etihad.
2016/17
41
2
0
2017/18
29
3
0
2018/19
39
0
1
2019/20
24
0
1
2020/21
35
5
0
2021/22
27
2
0
2022/23
34
3
3
2023/24
28
1
2
2024/25
20
3
2
Total:
277
19
9
He’s only made 11 league appearances during the current campaign, once again sidelined with a thigh issue which could rule him out for the remainder of the season.
Stones currently earns a reported £250k-per-week, a mammoth figure given his recent lack of minutes, with his total earnings during his nine years at the club totalling £78m.
When coupled with his transfer fee, the 30-year-old has cost the hierarchy around £128m – a staggering amount of money, with the club needing to brutally sell him given his proneness to injury.
He’s been a phenomenal servant to the Citizens, but, unfortunately, he’s been unable to extract his best performance levels in recent years, with fresh blood needed.
It may seem to be a harsh decision, but the world of top-level football is a cutthroat industry, with major calls needed if Guardiola is to lead the side back to Premier League glory next season.
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