Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reveals that he has been left torn over whether he is making the correct decision regarding the club’s transfer activity.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that the Premier League champions will not get involved in any late transfer business.
City went into deadline day having only added former midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and winger Savinho to their ranks at a time when there have been a wide array of outgoings.
While many of them have been largely insignificant with regards to last season’s squad, Guardiola has watched key attacker Julian Alvarez leave for Atletico Madrid.
The expectation was that City would eventually enter the market for another squad member for the final third, someone who could act as deputy to Erling Haaland and perhaps be deployed in other roles.
However, City have not made a sustained play for an alternative, Guardiola confirming on Friday that the North-West giants have concluded their activity for this transfer window.
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“Maybe it is a mistake”
At a press conference, Guardiola was naturally quizzed on whether City would be adding to their senior ranks, particularly when Oscar Bobb is also out injured until November.
The Spaniard acknowledged that he had deliberated hard over whether to bring in a fresh face, only to decide to remain patient and reassess the situation in January.
Speaking to reporters, Guardiola said: “I’m happy with the squad. We didn’t expect Julian was leaving, although he had conversations a long time ago with other clubs and his agent, so it could happen and in the end it happened.
“We saw what we have, if we have many, many injuries it will be a problem, but in a few months Oscar Bobb will be back (from injury) and Phil (Foden) is in that position, (James) McAtee can play in that position, Gundogan can play in that position, Bernardo (Silva)…
“They are different players to Erling of course. Maybe it is a mistake, I don’t know, but I don’t like leaving players without playing for a long time. When everyone is involved with a chance to play the performance of the teams is always better.
“I know the group and how serious and professional they are and their commitment in every single game. We are pretty sure it is better to wait.”
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Can City cope with their upcoming schedule?
Coping with a busy schedule is not foreign to City given their success over the years, yet Guardiola may have to give more thought to how he rotates players.
Up until at least November, there are 19 outfield players available for selection, including McAtee who has been reintegrated back into the fold after a loan stint with Sheffield United.
Forward Divin Mubama, the former West Ham United prospect who will sign on a free transfer, can also expect to be kept at the Etihad Stadium and used in the first-team squad.