PEP’S WIDE BLUE PONDER
Sky is limit for Guardiola
PEP GUARDIOLA admitted he was tired in the aftermath of Manchester City’s fifth title celebration in six years and left the partying to the players, who went on until the small hours.
But as he stayed back at the Etihad drinking red wine with his management team and friends, the cogs were already whirring on how to make his side better.
The Treble is occupying his thoughts almost 24-7 as Guardiola plots his way into the history books.
But what little time he has spare has been spent working out, with director of football Txiki Begiristain and his trusted inner circle, how to make his side better again next season.
City have settled into a rhythm of making small changes to personnel with generally no more than four signings, usually three or sometimes just two, to slot in to the well-oiled Premier League winning machine.
This summer the thinking is that three or four players could be brought in, with two defenders and two midfielders on a list of possible targets. Where Guardiola and Begiristain have always been clear is that players who either want to leave, or are perceived to have hit the downslope, will be moved on.
This season Joao Cancelo was quickly sent out on loan to Bayern Munich after challenging the manager about his lack of game time. Sergio Aguero, Nicolas Otamendi, Joe Hart, Leroy Sane, Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling will know how he felt, despite having given plenty to the cause.
Guardiola is looking at a rebuild of his midfield, with the future of Ilkay Gundogan uncertain while Arsenal and Barcelona monitor his situation. The German international’s future has a bearing on City’s plans if he decides to take up an offer of a 12-month extension, with an option of another year.
The future of Bernardo Silva is once again up in the air given renewed interest from Paris Saint-Germain, who nearly persuaded him to leave the Etihad last summer.
Kalvin Phillips, signed for £50million, and Aymeric Laporte are two more possible departures given a lack of playing time. City have identified £80m-rated Croatia international Josko Gvardiol, left, as a left-sided replacement for Laporte, who has started just 10 Premier League games this season and, at 28, believes he has more to give.
Phillips, who is in danger of dropping off the England radar, has been a disappointment since arriving from Leeds last summer. He made his first league start after the title had already been wrapped up.
Guardiola and Begiristain have discussed possible targets with chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, with Alexis Mac Allister, Joshua Kimmich and Julio Enciso mentioned.
City have favoured promoting at least two academy prospects to the first-team squad following the success of Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis.
Portugal striker Carlos Borges and midfielders Oscar Bobb and Dire Mebude have impressed in the elite development squad.