Pep Guardiola admits fixture calendar has forced him to ‘reflect’ on major Manchester City transfer window approach
The Catalan coach has consistently admitted his preference being to work with a smaller squad, both for the sustainability of his club from a financial perspective, and to have a better bond with players.
However, the ongoing campaign has highlighted the crucial flaws of such an approach with Manchester City losing a number of stars in quick succession to injury and fitness problems, thus leaving crucial areas of Guardiola’s squad heavily depleted.
One area of the pitch that will head into Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United on its knees when it comes to personnel is defence, with Rico Lewis’ suspension adding to injuries sustained by Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and John Stones in recent weeks.
And the physical blows that are being sustained by Manchester City’s players may have just made the club’s head coach aware that a change of approach could be required when it comes to squad planning for future seasons.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, Guardiola commented on the impact that an increasingly congested fixture calendar is having on his squad, and that the number of players within his roster may have to be increased.
“It made me reflect maybe you need a squad of 25, 30 players,” Guardiola admitted. “It’d be more difficult financially for the club, but today we’re going to play the Club World Cup in summer for three weeks, start again the Premier League, maybe we have to have more depth.
The Manchester City manager continued, “Now we cannot [compete], we can survive.
“It’s time to survive, survive, stay there, be closer than ever, and sooner or later, the players will come back and to qualify for the Champions League last-16 it will not be easy, but we’ll qualify and be there, I don’t know in January or February what is going to happen, we will see.”
But on the tough times that Manchester City are experiencing at the moment, Pep Guardiola has no other desire than wanting to stand by his squad and support them. “With these players, I want to be here, he said.
“I want to stay close to them, not behind or in front, not beside them, and this is what I want to do.
The Catalan coach has consistently admitted his preference being to work with a smaller squad, both for the sustainability of his club from a financial perspective, and to have a better bond with players.
However, the ongoing campaign has highlighted the crucial flaws of such an approach with Manchester City losing a number of stars in quick succession to injury and fitness problems, thus leaving crucial areas of Guardiola’s squad heavily depleted.
The game against Manchester United is one of four remaining matches for Manchester City in the Premier League before the January transfer window opens, with away clashes against Aston Villa and Leicester City awaiting.
Everton will also visit the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day as Manchester City look to increase their points tally and prevent falling further behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand and an eight-point advantage coming into this weekend.
