4 players Manchester City should sell this summer

AS Monaco v Manchester City FC - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
Man City need to get rid of the deadwood this summer.

Manchester City are now titans of the Premier League. Their dominant display last season, which saw them accumulate 100 points and break five records, was unprecedented.

Pep Guardiola has been active in the transfer window this summer, searching for more players to bolster the already supreme squad of players. However, what must first be done at the club is a fire sale of all the deadwood in their team.

These would be the players that are either no longer up to par, or the individuals that simply languish in the reserves whilst they get paid an astronomical wage per week.

The sooner these players are gone, the sooner Guardiola can bring in top talent by reinvesting the cash from their sales.


#4 Joe Hart

West Ham United v Liverpool - Premier League
Joe Hart.

Joe Hart has failed to make any sort of impact in the last few years, which has raised many eyebrows at Man City. Once Pep Guardiola was appointed, it was made clear to Hart that he was not needed, as the manager brought in Claudio Bravo to become the new No.1.

Hart would then be loaned out to Torino in August 2016 for a season, but he failed to impress. He would then be given a second chance at West Ham, but the same problem arose: Hart simply did not have the ability to be a team's No.1. He made a series of blunders at West Ham which saw him be replaced with Adrian, who kept his position until the end of the season.

Hart is now back at Man City. Everybody acknowledges how unlikely it is for the 31-year-old to get any game time here, especially with Ederson being on top form, so it's surely time for him to seek a permanent move elsewhere and attempt to reinvigorate his career.

Where might Joe Hart go?

There is still a chance that a Premier League side would take Hart in, as it's true that he has something left to give, but his wages are a big turn-off for most teams. Realistically, Hart could head to a lowly Premier League side, but it's doubtful that he'd be first-choice.

There might even be a possibility that he makes the trip across the pond to play in the MLS, as given that he's in the final stages of his career now, time in America might be crucial to establishing his brand as well as his next steps after football.

#3 Eliaquim Mangala

Manchester City v West Ham United - Premier League
Eliaquim Mangala

Eliaquim Mangala was once a very promising defender, capable of challenging to be the best in his position. But ever since his move to Man City in 2014, the Frenchman has been cast aside and left in the shadows.

Mangala featured 25 times for the Citizens the first season (2014-15); 23 times in the second (2015-16), before being sent out on loan to Valencia for the 2016-17 season. It was in Spain where Mangala got the chance to showcase his ability. He featured 33 times in total for Valencia and was considered a key player in their side. It makes you wonder why he doesn't seek a move to a side like Valencia if he's able to get this much game time because he's wasted at Man City.

Upon returning to City, Mangala played a total of nine times before he was shipped out on loan to Everton in January. And even then, he only played twice without making any sort of impact.

Surely if Mangala wants any sort of real career in football, he would look to seal a permanent move to a club where he was valued, rather than be used sparingly in a City side that doesn't really need him.

Where might Eliaquim Mangala go?

Mangala has been linked with several teams this summer, including Everton, West Ham and Newcastle - but it is Wolves that appear to be the frontrunner for the 27-year-old.

According to TalkSport, Wolves boss Nuno had tried to sign Mangala whilst they were pushing for promotion in the Championship, but they could not afford him. His agent is Jorge Mendes, who has many of his players at Wolves already, could be pivotal in setting up a deal between Wolves and Mangala as he enters the final year of contract.

#2 Claudio Bravo

Everton v Manchester City - Premier League
Claudio Bravo

Claudio Bravo was one of the first players Pep Guardiola turned to when he became the manager at Manchester City. The Chilean had been Barcelona's first-choice 'keeper for several years and had garnered a lot of respect and admiration.

Bravo was brought in to replace Joe Hart at Man City in 2016. However, things quickly turned sour as Bravo made blunder after blunder in his first few games. Almost all faith in him had been lost by the tenth game and Guardiola had begun to rue his hasty decision. Ultimately, Bravo would finish the season having played a respectable total of 32 games. But this would prove to be his last season as a prominent player for the Cityzens.

Ederson was signed at the start of the 2017-18 season and immediately became the new first choice, which saw Bravo drop to the bench. By the end of the season, Bravo had featured in a grand total of 4 games, which has essentially marked the end of his time at City.

Without a doubt, Pep Guardiola will be looking to offload the Chilean to the first club that meets his valuation this summer.

Where might Claudio Bravo go?

Manchester Evening News reported in May that PSG were looking to bring him in, but whether he would be first-choice there is also questionable.

However, Claudio Bravo was asked about whether he would consider a move away from City in December, and he said this to say: "Life is not only about football, life involves a lot more. I have a family to consider. They are living in Manchester, we are thrilled that the kids are learning the language to perfection."

This could mean that Bravo might stay put, but ultimately the decision lies with the club as to whether they should want to offload the 35-year-old or have him warm the bench for another year or two.

#1 Patrick Roberts

Manchester City Training Session
Patrick Roberts.

Patrick Roberts has played just once for Man City in the three years he's been with them. He was signed from Fulham in 2015 for £6.5m and was considered a great youth prospect for City to develop. But it seems like the Cityzens are aiming to sell on the youngster for profit as soon as they can, because the 21-year-old is just not up to par with the rest of the City squad.

Roberts has spent the last three seasons on loan at Celtic, where his performances have been widely praised. He has racked up a total of 78 appearances both in the Scottish Premiership and the League cup, scoring 18 goals and providing 26 assists.

Brendan Rodgers was reportedly trying to sign the City forward on a permanent deal in January, but the asking price was far too high. Celtic might try again this summer to get a deal done but will need to match City's new valuation of £10m for the 21-year-old.

Where might Patrick Roberts go?

Despite being heavily linked with Celtic, it looks like Leicester City is where Roberts is headed this summer. The Daily Mirror reports that the England Under-20 will indeed be playing at the King Power Stadium next season after a £10m deal was agreed earlier this month.

Of course, this is still speculation at this point, but Roberts had to this to say when asked about his future:

"(Playing in the Premier League) is the main aim. Being an English player and having come through the system in the Premier League, (the ambition) is to play for the top club in the Premier League.

"I'm at one now with Manchester City and they're doing well but you've got to look at yourself, and what's best for you, and try to pick the best option possible."

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith
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