Manchester City were heading for a summer overhaul of their squad even before Pep Guardiola demanded a smaller group for next season.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Manchester City players line up prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester City at Craven Cottage on May 11, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Man City will seal Champions League football with a win on the final day but a point will realistically be enough.
It is not only Kevin De Bruyne who could be bidding farewell to Manchester City this summer.
De Bruyne led the lap of honour at the Etihad on Tuesday night as all eyes were focused on his goodbye, and the squad then headed out for a swanky leaving party in Manchester the following evening. It wouldn't be a surprise if that party served more than one purpose.
All signs point to a summer overhaul and Pep Guardiola's 'I will quit' revelation on Tuesday underlines that. He thought a bigger squad was needed to cope with the bigger schedule but now faced with a bigger squad and most players fit, he's happy to risk injuries and return to a smaller squad.
It remains to be seen who will leave this summer to accommodate Guardiola's demands, especially with reinforcements expected. If Guardiola is serious about a squad of around 21 or 22, and a handful come in as new transfers, then the exits could be more than just one or two.
Only Scott Carson is out of contract aside from De Bruyne, although there are question marks over the futures of senior players like Ederson, Stefan Ortega, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish and James McAtee. Maybe one of those left the Etihad pitch on Tuesday for the last time, without even realising it.
City's transfer business will tell some players where they stand. Maybe Guardiola's final matchday squad at Fulham will send a similar message. The five or six players he has to leave out in the capital may be a more consequential decision than the last few matchdays.
Others will leave on loan - someone like Claudio Echeverri feels like he could benefit from that, although it's clear Guardiola likes what he sees from the young Argentine. The same applies to Oscar Bobb, who has lost a season after a promising summer but now faces a much more difficult task to get into the first team.
The Blues need just a point at Fulham to effectively confirm a Champions League place given their superior goal difference to Aston Villa and the Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea game - if City and Fulham draw, Villa would have to beat Manchester United by 17 goals to draw level and surely even United aren't that bad this season.
Guardiola will select a side he feels can win the game to belatedly get into the Champions League. He will hope he can also get the opportunity to maybe give one last chance to some names off the bench.
After that, De Bruyne will bid farewell to the Premier League. It would be a surprise if he isn't the only one playing their final game for the club. Even if they might not know it yet.
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