In the wake of Manchester City’s commanding 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their Premier League opener on August 16, 2025, manager Pep Guardiola issued a bold directive: the squad must shrink. Despite the team’s scintillating performance, driven by a brace from Erling Haaland and goals from new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, Guardiola expressed deep concern about the size of his roster, calling it “not healthy” for team morale and performance. With the transfer window nearing its close, the legendary coach’s demand for a leaner squad signals a pivotal moment for the Citizens as they aim to reclaim their dominance in the 2025-26 season.
Guardiola’s frustration stems from a squad bloated to 31 players, a number he believes undermines the team’s cohesion. “It’s too much — too many people,” he declared after the Wolves match. “I like a deep squad to compete in all competitions, but I don’t want to leave players at home. It’s not healthy. You cannot create a good vibe or atmosphere to compete.” His words reflect a manager grappling with the challenge of balancing depth with player satisfaction, especially after a trophyless 2024-25 campaign marred by injuries and a five-match losing streak. The addition of five new players this summer—James Trafford, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Reijnders, and Cherki—has only exacerbated the issue, leaving Guardiola with a roster that exceeds his preferred limit of 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers.
The victory at Molineux showcased City’s potential, with Haaland’s clinical finishing and the flair of newcomers Reijnders and Cherki electrifying the attack. Yet, behind the scenes, Guardiola’s concerns about squad dynamics are palpable. Players like Jack Grealish, James McAtee, and Kyle Walker were notably absent from the matchday squad, while goalkeeper Ederson’s future remains uncertain amid interest from Galatasaray. “If they want to leave, they will come to me. If they want to leave, they will knock on my door,” Guardiola said, addressing speculation about Ederson and winger Savinho, who is sidelined by injury but linked with Tottenham. This open-door policy underscores Guardiola’s philosophy: player desire is paramount, but the club must secure the right price.
The squad’s size poses logistical and emotional challenges. Leaving players out of matchday squads, as seen with Abdukodir Khusanov, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis during a recent win over Bournemouth, weighs heavily on Guardiola. “It’s impossible for my soul to tell my players in the tribune that they cannot play,” he admitted, emphasizing the toll it takes on team spirit. The Premier League’s homegrown quota rules add complexity, requiring eight players trained in England for three years before age 21 in a 25-man squad. City’s current roster, with 28 first-team members plus four on loan, risks non-compliance unless trimmed, potentially forcing the club to omit non-homegrown players.
Guardiola’s push for a smaller squad aligns with a broader strategic shift. The appointment of Pep Lijnders, formerly Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool, as his right-hand man suggests a tactical evolution toward more direct, high-octane football. New signings like Ait-Nouri and Cherki reflect this shift, moving away from Guardiola’s traditional positional play. Meanwhile, young talents like Vitor Reis and Echeverri may be loaned to Girona, part of the City Football Group, to aid their development, while James McAtee, a promising midfielder, attracts interest from Nottingham Forest and Leeds United. Kevin De Bruyne’s confirmed departure this summer marks the end of an era, and players like Grealish, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji could follow, with Stones’ injury history and Akanji’s competition from new defenders making them potential exits.
With the transfer window closing in two weeks, Guardiola has urged players and their agents to “find solutions.” His contract, extended to 2027, gives him leverage to reshape the squad, but his comments hint at deeper motivations. After a challenging season that saw City finish third in the Premier League and exit the Champions League early, Guardiola views a streamlined squad as essential for restoring the “connection” lost amid injuries to stars like Rodri and Phil Foden. “I don’t want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit,” he said, emphasizing the need for every player to feel they can contribute. As Manchester City chase Champions League qualification and silverware, Guardiola’s call for change sets the stage for a transformative period at the Etihad.
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