Manchester City jumped to third place in the Premier League points table on Tuesday after a 3-1 win — coinciding with club legend Kevin de Bruyne’s last league game at home — against Bournemouth but leaving many seniors players out of the matchday squad led to Pep Guardiola’s frustrated who said he will “quit” the club if City won’t reduce to squad size.
“I said to the club (that)… I don’t want that (a bigger squad). I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay. It’s impossible for my soul to (tell) my players in the tribune (stands) that they cannot play.” said Guardiola after the match.
Guardiola, who prefers a small squad size and has been vocal about his views, says it is difficult to constantly keep players out of City’s matchday squad.
“Maybe (for) three, four months we couldn’t select 11 players, we didn’t have defenders, it was so difficult. After, people came back, but next season it cannot be like that. As a manager I cannot train 24 players and every time I select I have to have four, five, six stay in Manchester at home because they cannot play. This is not going to happen. I said to the club, I don’t want that,” he added.
Man City have signed four players — Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush since January, spending over 200 million Euros. Only de Bruyne has confirmed to leave the club after this season, while midfielder Jack Grealish’s future at the club is also in doubt.
“It is a question for the club. I don’t want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit. If I have injuries, unlucky, we have some players for the academy and we do it,” said Guardiola when asked about more exits from Man City.
The Premier League clubs can have a 25-player squad. They can also include under-21 players who are eligible over and above the 25-man squad limit.
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