Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly set to offload five of his first-team players after a poor showing against Arsenal in yesterday’s Community Shield match, according to CaughtOffside.
The Chilean tactician is thought to have been furious with his side’s tame display against the Gunners, with a number of squad players failing badly to take the opportunity to impress, and five names highlighted as unneeded squad fodder set to be shifted out before the end of the summer transfer window.
5) Scott Sinclair
A player who really hasn’t made any impact at Manchester City since signing for the club from Swansea City baxck in 2012, it is no surprise to see the ineffective Scott Sinclair up on the transfer list this summer. The 25-year-old may not have a great deal of suitors though, with an uninspiring loan spell at West Bromwich Albion last season doing little to persuade clubs that he can cut it at Premier League level any longer.
4) Dedryck Boyata
After his poor performance against Arsenal, it is no surprise to see that City have given up on Belgian defender Deryck Boyata. Once considered a promising youngster at the Etihad Stadium, the 23-year-old can no longer be thought of as one for the future and simply isn’t good enough to be a City player at the moment. Again, it may be tricky for City to find any buyers for the player, who has not exactly set the world alight in loan spells away from the club either.
3) Micah Richards
A player who could have potential suitors in Liverpool and Newcastle United, Micah Richards finally looks set to be shown the door after a difficult few years at Manchester City. The former England international couldn’t even start ahead of the left-sided Gael Clichy at right-back yesterday afternoon, and showed quite how out of sorts he is with a terrible penalty miss earlier in pre-season.
2) Matija Nastasic
Despite a great start to life at Manchester City in the 2012/13 season, Serbian youngster Matija Nastasic has gone terribly off the boil and was another target for Pellgrini’s frustration in the side’s tame defeat to Arsenal. The Gunners’ attackers were in brilliant form against Nastasic at the back, and he coped badly with their constant pressure and possession. Juventus have been linked with the 21-year-old, and it is likey that City will accept any offer that comes their way.
1) Joe Hart
Although Joe Hart did not feature against Arsenal, the England goalkeeper has been warned that he is no longer guaranteed to be first choice at the Etihad Stadium after Pellegrini moved to sign Willy Caballero from his old club Malaga this summer. The Argentine did not have the best game in goal on his City debut, but Hart’s inconsistent form last season looks to have made him another candidate for the exit door for Pellegrini.