Manchester City and Pep Guardiola could sanction the departure of an “incredible” £300,000-a-week player this summer, as the club plan an overhaul of the squad, according to a Sky Sports journalist.
Man City reach seven FA Cup semi-finals in a row
The Blues secured their place in the last four of England’s oldest competition on Sunday afternoon, as they came from a goal down to beat AFC Bournemouth 2-1. The FA Cup represents City’s only chance of winning silverware this season, and Guardiola believes his side were “outstanding” in their win over the Cherries.
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Man City won their FA Cup semi-final 2-1 on Sunday
“It was harder for them [Bournemouth]. We played an outstanding game and had incredible chances but missed a penalty. We conceded with one chance we gave away. Our approach was magnificent. Seven times in a row in the semi-final in the FA Cup, no team has done it, and it will be difficult for any other to do what these legendary players, the new ones and the old ones, will have done,” Guardiola told the BBC.
Pep was then asked about City reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for a seventh consecutive season, and he labelled it an “unbelievable” achievement.
“It is unbelievable. The way we competed today compared to the way we played in the first game here [in the Premier League]. I was not good enough to overcome that situation then. We were sloppy for many games, and I was not able to let them realise is what they have done today. For example, Brighton was a difficult game; we didn’t play our best, but we fought. This is what had to happen.”
Man City could sanction Grealish exit as Pep plans busy summer
Despite possible success in the FA Cup, it has been a poor campaign for the Blues, and therefore, there is expected to be plenty of incomings and outgoings come the summer.
According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Man City could look to sell Jack Grealish this summer as the Blues plan a busy summer of change.
Plettenberg states that City are planning a squad overhaul in the summer, and with them holding an interest in players such as Florian Wirtz and Hugo Larsson, the likes of İlkay Gündoğan and Kevin De Bruyne are likely departures when their contracts expire, while Grealish could also be moved on despite his not ending until 2026.
Grealish, who earns £300,000 a week at the Etihad Stadium, has struggled for regular game time this season, playing just 16 times in the Premier League, six of which have been starts, and the last one came in the defeat to Aston Villa back in December.
Despite the lack of game time, Guardiola has continued to heap praise on the Englishman, labelling him “incredible”.
“I want him to make goals and assists, and he does too, but it’s not about that. It’s about his contribution without the ball and what he can produce for the other ones. We didn’t sign Jack Grealish for the incredible goals or assists at Aston Villa. It was for another reason. He competes with top, top players as well, and he knows it perfectly. He never complains about that.”
