Pep Guardiola will have to be virtually merciless in the summer as it is high-time Manchester City rebuild their squad.
De Bruyne is set to join Napoli and while his time at City has ended on a high note as the Sky Blues have qualified for the Champions League, the decision to let him go was a ruthless one at the time.
However, it seems like Manchester City may have made the right decision as the midfield maestro is past his best.
Sergio Aguero revealed Guardiola’s winning mentality as the Argentine reflected on how he would push him to become the best version of himself and ahead of next season, City fans will be hoping the Catalan has the same fire in his belly.
Matheus Nunes could leave Man City
Pep Guardiola was tested throughout the 2024/2025 season, to the extent that Kyle Walker decided to leave to join AC Milan on loan in January — which prompted him to convert Matheus Nunes into an emergency right-back.
Nunes has impressed at right-back for Manchester City, which goes to show how brilliant his manager remains as a tactician despite suffering the most disappointing campaign in his exceptional career.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
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However, the Daily Mail have revealed that despite the Portuguese international becoming a key player for City this season, his future is uncertain.
Nunes, who Manchester City signed for £54 million was in the headlines when Pep Guardiola dug him out earlier this campaign by stating that he was not “clever” enough to play in midfield.
Guardiola said via ESPN: He can become a good right-back for his physicality,” Guardiola told reporters at Old Trafford. “I think he’s not a player to play in midfield because he’s not clever enough, in the composure, but he has incredible skills and he’s learning a lot.
“The big mistake of full-backs is when you have the cross to the far post where you are, they are always sleeping. But he defended really well two or three crosses, like when Bruno [Fernandes] put it to the far post for [Patrick] Dorgu. He has the attention and the physicality to do it, so he can play in that position and help us a lot.”
Man City could sell seven players in the summer
Walker, who is set to leave Manchester City as well as Nunes but the pair are not the only two set to depart the club aside from De Bruyne.
Jack Grealish could depart Manchester City as well after being left out of his side’s latest clash against Fulham — which may be a hint that Pep Guardiola is prepared to part ways with the 29-year-old.
Manchester City could sell John Stones, Ederson and Bernardo Silva as they are planning a major squad overhaul.
MAN CITY’S POTENTIAL SALES CONTRACT LENGTH
JOHN STONES 2026
EDERSON 2026
BERNARDO SILVA 2026
JACK GREALISH 2027
KYLE WALKER 2026
KALVIN PHILLIPS 2028
MATHEUS NUNES 2028
While Kalvin Phillips could depart Manchester City after having yet another rough spell on loan at Ipswich Town.
Nunes could join another six players out of the door despite redeeming his reputation as a makeshift right-back at Manchester City this season.