Stay or Go? Deciding Which Players Man City Should Keep & Offload This Summer

30 July 2020 21:31

Manchester City have had one of their more disappointing seasons under manager Pep Guardioa.


Liverpool trounced everyone in the Premier League and left City for dead, while somehow the Sky Blues lost just one league game fewer than Arsenal this year.


Next year they'll want to push for the title and European glory - the latter of which they could still achieve this term - so here's a look at every first-team player at the Etihad and whether they should stay or go this summer...



Goalkeepers


Ederson has had a pretty good season.

Ederson (STAY) - Keeping 16 clean sheets, Ederson won the Golden Glove for the first time in his career.


Claudio Bravo (GO) - Bravo is off this season as his contract is up, and it is probably the best move for all parties as he has never looked convincing in Manchester.


Zack Steffen (STAY) - Steffen is very highly rated back in the USA and has had a solid season on loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf. With Claudio Bravo leaving, Steffen should definitely be kept as backup to Ederson.


Scott Carson (GO) - Carson's loan is up this summer, and after what would have been good fun for the English veteran, it is very unlikely he will be signed again.



Centre Backs


Laporte has been unfortunate with injuries this year

Aymeric Laporte (STAY) - Laporte is arguably the second best centre back in the league - behind Virgil van Dijk, obviously - and his absence in the middle of the season was sorely felt by City. Keeping him fit next year will be of major importance; if that is achieved, then a title push is more realistic.


John Stones (GO) - Stones needs to leave. He isn't getting enough football and Guardiola clearly doesn't trust him.


Nicolas Otamendi (GO) - The Argentine Mustafi. Signed from Valencia, Otamendi has been a constant threat to City's own goal, with mistakes aplenty and a gung-ho attitude to retrieving the ball. One of Pep's main priorities this summer should be signing a partner for Laporte.


Eric Garcia (STAY) - Garcia has looked like the perfect Guardiola centre back since earning a place in the side after lockdown. Barcelona are said to be interested in bringing him back home, so Pep will have to play him regularly to keep him happy.



Full Backs


Mendy hasn't lived up to expectations for City

Benjamin Mendy (STAY) - Very good going forward but suspect defensively, Mendy hasn't lived up to expectations for City. He hasn't been able to fully cement his place in the team, but he'll probably be given one more season to prove his worth.


Oleksandr Zinchenko (GO) - Zinchenko has looked shaky whenever he's played and has a tendency to give the ball away in dangerous areas. He won't ever make it in a more advanced role for City and at 23 should look to go somewhere where he can play further forward.


Angeliño (GO) - The signing of Angeliño hasn't worked. After a poor loan at RB Leipzig, he will probably be sold.


Kyle Walker (STAY) - At 30, Walker doesn't look like he's slowing down. The Englishman recorded the fasted sprint speed in the league this season and had another solid year at right back, keeping big money signing Joao Cancelo out of the team.


Joao Cancelo (GO) - See Angeliño...the deal hasn't worked and he should be sold for big bucks this summer.



Central Midfielders


Fernandinho is a leader in the centre of the pitch

Rodrigo (STAY) - Rodri struggled initially but since then he has started to look really good. He'll be a mainstay in City's midfield next year.


Fernandinho (STAY) - Playing at centre back for a large portion of the season, Fernandinho was really missed in the middle of the park and finding a replacement for him when his contract expires next year could prove very challenging.


Ilkay Gundogan (STAY) - After an injury-plagued first couple of seasons, Gundogan has proven himself to be a very useful player for Guardiola's side. At 29, he still has a few years left at his peak and therefore he'll most likely be an important feature of City's midfield for the foreseeable future.



Attacking Midfielders


De Bruyne has had a sensational season

Kevin De Bruyne (STAY) - The best player in the league. De Bruyne has had an unforgettable season, matching Thierry Henry's assist record and scoring 13 times. If he can have another injury free season next year, City will be real challengers.


David Silva (GO) - After ten years at the club, City legend David Silva has left following the expiry of his contract.


Phil Foden (STAY) - One of the most exciting English youngsters out there, Foden is the ready-made, homegrown replacement for David Silva. He has looked phenomenal since lockdown football began and will most probably be a fixture in this City team for years to come.


Bernardo Silva (STAY) - Bernardo Silva can play on the right or in the number ten role, but no matter where he plays he is always tremendous. A gifted dribbler and fantastic passer of the ball, Silva will be hugely important for City over the next few years.



Forwards


Sterling has been fantastic this season.

Raheem Sterling (STAY) - Sterling has had arguably his best season at City - certainly goalscoring-wise - notching 20 goals in the league. His development from a tricky winger to a clinical goalscorer has been incredible and he'll continue that progression next season.


Riyad Mahrez (STAY) - Mahrez took a while to fit into Guardiola's system but in the second half of the season he has been mesmeric and looks back to his Leicester best.


Gabriel Jesus (STAY) - In Sergio Aguero's absence, Jesus started to look really good up front for City. Still only 23, he will probably remain an understudy for Aguero next year, but expect him to push for a starting place pretty soon.


Sergio Aguero (STAY) - Aguero has had another injury-stricken year, but his goalscoring record speaks for itself. With 16 goals in just 24 games, Aguero was as clinical as ever and he will be expected to continue that form next season when he returns.


Source: 90min