Guardiola shares thoughts on squad changes | OneFootball

Guardiola shares thoughts on squad changes | OneFootball

Icon: Manchester City F.C.

Manchester City F.C.

·14 May 2022

Guardiola shares thoughts on squad changes

Article image:Guardiola shares thoughts on squad changes

Pep Guardiola says he does not expect Manchester City to make wholesale changes this summer.

The Premier League leaders reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of Erling Haaland earlier this week, though the deal is subject to the Club agreeing terms with the striker.


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City brought in three players two seasons ago, though Jack Grealish was the only senior recruit last summer and Guardiola is not anticipating there will be significant adjustments to his playing squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Catalan believes the Premier League leaders are in good shape, though he admits the Club are obliged to constantly plan for the future.

“I think the team and squad is strong,” he said ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Ham United.

“The Club has a duty, not me, the Club, and I know they are working on that. I am not saying this is going to happen - I think it is not going to happen - but always you have to plan for what can happen.

“Are we going to stay together or maybe the next manager or staff have to be here?

“Always you have to be thinking maybe five players are going to leave, which new five players have to come?

“How you use the academy, which players from the academy would be able to play, not just training, being part of it like Phil Foden was in the second season. This is what you have to think of constantly.

“The situation changes season by season because the players want to play and when we have an incredible squad like we have, there are players who don't play much and they want to play and they want to be happy and they want to improve.

“Here they visualise they are going to play, and players are going to leave and have to be replaced, so that’s why you constantly have to be prepared.

“But, I think with the squad we have, my personal opinion - I have spoken a little bit with Txiki [Begiristain] - is probably not much [change].”

With City continually striving for silverware in every competition, Guardiola believes a player’s mentality is the most important aspect to consider when assessing any potential new recruits.

The 51-year-old is in no doubt that many players around the world have the ability to play in his team, but says it is vital they have the right mindset due to the standards expected of them.

“There are many top, incredible players around the world that could play here without a doubt, but at the same time we have to find what we need,” he added.

“What we want is a player who can come here, stay and perform every single season or game as best as possible.

“The big difference of whether they can handle the big teams is here [in the head]. When you make a pass it is from here, not your feet. This is the most important thing to find for these kind of things.

“Everything is in the head. Every action you do comes from here.

“Of course, when you arrive in a club like City right now, or other clubs around the world, the standards are so high, so you adapt or you cannot be here.”

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