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With Manchester City showing improvements in some areas but heavily scrutinised vulnerabilities in others, theScore picks through Pep Guardiola’s lot to see who should stay or go in the summer transfer window.
Goalkeepers
Claudio Bravo: A disastrous start to the 33-year-old’s career in England, but his big-game experience and status as a goalkeeper-that’s-decent-with-his-feet could be helpful around the Etihad Campus. Stay
Willy Caballero: Heroics in last season’s League Cup triumph aside, the Argentinian isn’t good enough. Contract expires this summer. Go
Joe Hart: A controversial omission from Pep’s plans, and there seems to be no turning back now. Go
Defenders
Bacary Sagna: Deal runs out in June and, with his 34th birthday coming up on Tuesday, he’s near the end of his playing days. Go
Pablo Zabaleta: The fan favourite’s contract is up in the summer, and he appears destined for the exit despite a recent upturn in form. Go
Vincent Kompany: This latest comeback from injury is surely his last chance, but the esteem in which he is held at the club means a likely job behind the scenes in the event of forced retirement. Stay
John Stones: Culpable for some errors, but a youngster of undoubted potential. Stay
Nicolas Otamendi: A frustrating defender of lax concentration and an over-exuberance in going to ground when tackling, but a mass exodus elsewhere could mean the £42-million centre-half is safe – for now. Stay
Jason Denayer: A player with undoubted composure, but he isn’t showing a great deal in his loan stay at Sunderland to show he merits a spot in an honours-chasing team. Go
Eliaquim Mangala: The chances of the Valencia loanee reviving his career back at City are minuscule. A £42-million flop. Go
Aleksandar Kolarov: Versatile but prone to a mistake at the back. His contract expires in the summer. A decision to mull over for Guardiola. Stay
Gael Clichy: A scapegoat for many of City’s defensive failings, and another player who’s unattached from June. Go
Midfielders
Fernando: Has proven his worth as backup in the deep-lying midfield positions. If he’s happy with a bit-part role, he’s worth keeping around. Stay
Ilkay Gundogan: Was in great form before his season was cruelly cut short by a serious knee injury. Stay
Kevin De Bruyne: Not up for debate. Stay
Fabian Delph: Versatile, hard-working, but one who doesn’t appear to have any part in Guardiola’s designs. Go
David Silva: Arguably City’s most consistent performer this campaign. Slowly turning into a deep-lying creator, like Arsenal‘s Santi Cazorla with added bite. Stay
Fernandinho: An early teacher’s pet of Guardiola and a frontrunner for the club’s Player of the Year award before his recent disciplinary issues. The 31-year-old’s contract ends in 2018. Stay
Yaya Toure: Unexpectedly hit the ground running after the warring words between his agent and Guardiola, but is aged 33 and has a deal which expires in the summer. Go
Samir Nasri: Regardless of how he’s sewn the lines of the attack and midfield on loan at Sevilla, his questionable off-field lifestyle doesn’t sit well with Guardiola. Go
Bruno Zuculini: The 23-year-old is on loan at Hellas Verona, and it’s a mystery why he’s still on City’s books. Go
Aaron Mooy: Impressing on loan at gegenpressing Huddersfield Town. It could be an important pre-season for the 26-year-old Australian, and one that could see him remain at the City Football Group – albeit with New York City FC. Go
Wingers/Forwards
Raheem Sterling: His ability to stretch the opposition for teammates has improved, and he has a wonderful knack of cropping up in dangerous situations. Stay
Jesus Navas: Run at full-back, drop a shoulder, get to byline, smack a worm-burning cross that doesn’t pass the first defender. Navas’ departure is as obvious as his work down the right flank. Go
Sergio Aguero: A stint on the bench has the media in a frenzy, but if the Argentinian shows he’s able to drop deeper and smartly angle his runs, there’s no reason why he can’t challenge or partner Gabriel Jesus up front. Stay
Gabriel Jesus: A phenomenal beginning. Stay
Kelechi Iheanacho: Shunted down the order by the emergence of Jesus but, with a goal every 102 minutes in Premier League play, there can still be a bright future for the Nigerian in Manchester. Stay
Wilfried Bony: Had a torrid time at City before he was loaned to Stoke last summer – and he can’t get minutes behind gangly veteran Peter Crouch there. Go
Leroy Sane: Since his goal in the defeat of Arsenal in mid-December, the German youngster has been the club’s standout player. Stay
Nolito: Is struggling for minutes after some indiscipline and due to the form of others, but offers a decent auxiliary option in various positions. Stay
Youngsters who can impress in the summer
Angus Gunn, Pablo Maffeo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Cameron Humphreys-Grant, Angelino, Aleix Garcia, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Manu Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Bersant Celina, Patrick Roberts, Brandon Barker, Jadon Sancho, Marlos Moreno, Enes Unal
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