Manchester City have to get ruthless for the next stage of their rebuild | OneFootball

Manchester City have already made one ruthless decision ahead of the continuation of their squad rebuild. The club has decided not to renew Kevin De Bruyne’s contract for next season. In an interview relayed by Aadam Patel for the Daily Mail, De Bruyne spoke of the shock he felt when City told him of their decision not to renew his contract. Whether or not the decision to allow Kevin De Bruyne to leave Manchester City is the right one remains to be seen. But you do sense that is the level of ruthlessness City have to carry into the summer as they continue their rebuild.

There was a thought that Manchester City stood still in the transfer market last summer. They delayed starting their rebuild as they held onto past heroes who were coming to the end of their time at the top. That decision, coupled with the endless stream of injuries Pep Guardiola’s side has dealt with has cost them this season. At times the City squad has appeared fatigued and on other occasions they have looked old against younger and fresher opponents.

Heading into the summer, City must be ruthless with who they keep and let depart the club. They can’t afford to be sentimental in regards to who stays. The futures of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ederson and Stefan Ortega all appear to be uncertain. Each player on that list had made a huge contribution to City’s era of dominance.

In the case of Ake, Stones and Grealish they have battled injury issues all season long. Perhaps their fitness issues could see two of those three sold in the summer. Manchester City do need reliable players next season based on how heavy a fixture list they face next season. Bernardo, Gundogan, Kovacic, Ederson and Stefan Ortega have all made immense contributions to the club. But the City hierarchy must decide who can contribute for next season and who can not. It’s not an easy conclusion to find. But if a player wants out then City will likely let them depart. There also has to be some consideration given to which player out of those five can offer something for next season.

But the Manchester City hierarchy will have to be ruthless this summer. That process has already started with the decision to let Kevin De Bruyne leave. It sounds harsh but that line of thinking has to be taken with at least eight other City players this summer. You do sense that it will be as the world champions can’t afford to stand still once again this summer.