Manchester City, once the untouchable giants of English football, are facing a seismic shift at the Etihad Stadium. After a 2024-25 season marred by injuries, inconsistent performances, and a trophy-less campaign, manager Pep Guardiola is poised to orchestrate a dramatic squad overhaul. Leading the anticipated exodus is 29-year-old England international Jack Grealish, whose £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021 has failed to deliver the expected impact. As the club braces for a transformative summer, the departure of Grealish and potentially up to nine other senior players signals the end of an era and the beginning of a bold new chapter for the Sky Blues.
The 2024-25 season has been a stark departure from City’s recent dominance. A five-match losing streak in the Premier League shattered hopes of a fifth consecutive title, while a crushing 6-3 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, punctuated by Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick, ended their European dreams. The Carabao Cup offered no solace, with an early exit compounding the club’s woes. Injuries to key players like Rodri, Ruben Dias, and John Stones, coupled with declining performances from veterans, have exposed vulnerabilities in an aging squad. Guardiola, known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, has acknowledged the need for change. “The most important thing from my point of view is, what I said to the club, ‘which players are reliable for the future?’” he recently stated, signaling a ruthless approach to rebuilding.
Jack Grealish, once heralded as a marquee signing, is at the forefront of this overhaul. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, the winger has struggled to secure a regular starting spot, managing only seven Premier League starts this season. His omission from the FA Cup final squad, where City fell 1-0 to Crystal Palace, underscored his diminishing role. Guardiola’s decision to introduce Phil Foden and debutant Claudio Echeverri over Grealish in that match spoke volumes. “Really good. He played in the middle and was involved in many things,” Guardiola said of Grealish’s performance in a rare bright moment during a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Yet, with just two assists and no goals in 14 appearances this season, his £100 million price tag looms large. Clubs like Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly circling, with Napoli leading the race for a permanent transfer.
The potential departures extend beyond Grealish. Up to nine other senior players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, and Nathan Ake, face uncertain futures. De Bruyne, a Premier League legend, has been hampered by injuries and is nearing the end of his contract at 33. Gundogan, 34, has struggled to recapture his past influence since returning from Barcelona, while Stones and Ake have been plagued by persistent injuries, with Stones managing just six league starts. Walker, another stalwart at 34, has shown signs of decline, with his loan to AC Milan earlier this year hinting at an impending exit. Ederson’s future is also in doubt, as Guardiola has occasionally favored Stefan Ortega in goal, prompting speculation about a new number one. “Nathan (Ake), like John Stones, has been injured all the season,” Guardiola conceded, highlighting the fitness concerns that have forced his hand.
Guardiola’s vision is clear: a leaner, more dynamic squad built for the future. He has expressed frustration at leaving talented players “in the freezer,” emphasizing his preference for a compact group of reliable performers. “We have a good squad, they have contracts, they will stay here, and I don’t want to have many players,” he said after a match against Fulham. To fund this rebuild, City have already welcomed January signings like Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov, with targets like Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders in their sights. These moves aim to inject youth and versatility into a midfield that has lacked dynamism, with players like Matheus Nunes and Kovacic failing to meet Guardiola’s exacting standards. “I think he’s not a player to play in midfield because he’s not clever enough,” Guardiola remarked of Nunes, underscoring his demand for tactical intelligence.
The scale of this overhaul is unprecedented, even for a manager known for bold decisions. City’s first trophyless season in eight years has forced a reckoning, but Guardiola’s commitment remains unwavering. His contract extension until 2027 signals his intent to leave a lasting legacy, with Spanish expert Guillem Balague suggesting these could be his final years in club management. “They want to recover the essence of the team,” Balague noted, hinting at a squad designed to sustain success beyond Guardiola’s tenure. As Manchester City prepare for a summer of change, the departure of Grealish and others marks a pivotal moment in their quest to reclaim their place among football’s elite.
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