Seven Man City triple heroes could face off this summer with Pep Guardiola ready to replace the senior stars
MANCHESTER CITY’s treble winners wrote their names in the history books on Saturday night.
But lifting the Champions League trophy at Turkey’s Ataturk Stadium could be the last time some of Pep Guardiola’s squad are seen in sky blue.
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There are question marks over some of the relatively small group of senior players gathered at the Etihad.
And it’s possible some of the stars who helped them win three trophies won’t stick around to defend them in August.
City know you can never stand still and despite their impressive record, Guardiola expects to see some new faces join them.
But hearing that 32-year-old captain Ilkay Gundogan has agreed to stay after a truly memorable end to the season would be as important to the club’s fans as any signing.
He played a key role in several games – scoring twice against Everton and Leeds in the prem run-in and also in the FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
The club were reluctant to grant more than 12 months to Guardiola’s first signing of his City era.
Cost Gundogan £20.4million in 2016 and knows he can get a longer contract elsewhere.
Talks will continue in the coming days, with the possibility of a one-year deal and the option of one more season likely being offered.
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Barcelona, Arsenal, his former club Borussia Dortmund and clubs in Saudi Arabia are watching with interest.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva’s contract runs for two more years.
The Portugal international has asked City to consider offers for him over the past two summers as he wants to be closer to his home country.
From a footballing perspective, Silva, 28, is happy – it’s more about the lifestyle with the former Monaco man.
The manager is keen for him to stay knowing his versatility makes him so difficult to replace.
They may also have to fight to keep 32-year-old Riyad Mahrez as they have been hit with a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia in recent days.
The Algerian is never happy when he’s not playing and lately he’s been on the bench in the big games.
If both Gundogan and Silva stay, a decision will have to be made about 27-year-old England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled for game time in his first season with the champions.
The £42million new signing wants to stay but also has to worry about how much he will play – especially if 29-year-old Mateo Kovacic arrives from Chelsea as expected.
City had committed a large chunk of the money to reshape their midfield this summer. But after missing out on Jude Bellingham moving to Real Madrid, they may work to keep what they have rather than spend big.
Although they take a close look at Gabri Veiga (21) from Celta Vigo.
Guardiola may also need to invest in strengthening the defence.
One player who will be on the way is defender Joao Cancelo, who was loaned to Bayern Munich in January.
The Germans will not exercise their £60m option to buy him, although they might be interested if the figure is dropped. Guardiola will no longer want him at Etihad after their relationship fell apart and Barcelona are an option.
French-born Spanish centre-back Aymeric Laporte could also leave after seemingly saying goodbye to the Etihad last month.
The 29-year-old, who joined for £57million in 2018, was an automatic starter but has lost his place in the side since Manuel Akanji’s arrival last summer and would like to play football more regularly.
Tottenham are interested, as are some clubs in Spain and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he makes a move in the summer.
That could open the door for a big swap for RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, 21, who is valued at over £80m by his club.
Meanwhile, Kyle Walker’s future is also uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract. The Three Lions star ended the season in impressive style but was surprisingly disregarded in this weekend’s final against Inter Milan.
Guardiola said at Easter he was unable to play the reverse full-back role perfected by John Stones, raising some doubts about his long-term prospects.
Given he’s only just turned 33, City may allow his contract to expire before making a decision next summer.
Arsene Wenger agrees City need to bring youngsters to their team next season.
The Frenchman, who won three titles with Arsenal, said: “I have to say, I thought: what are you doing at City now?”
“Are you up for a new challenge? Do you motivate yourself for a new challenge?
“Or do you stay, take the credit and develop this team?
“You will lose important players. This team is not an old team, but there are few young players. With the exception of Erling Haaland, who is now 22 years old, everyone else is between 23 and 32 years old.
“So two or three new players have to change. You have to find the same quality again.”
Guardiola has shown in the past that there is no place for sentimentality by getting rid of some of City’s greatest legends.
Once the celebrations subside, some players will be wondering if they could be next.