Pep Guardiola hints at Manchester City exits after Club World Cup defeat against Al Hilal | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hinted at further alterations being made to his squad ahead of the new Premier League season after his side’s Club World Cup exit.

Despite being the only side in the competition to win all of their group stage games and in convincing fashion, it was Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal that would issue a reminder of the frailties still outstanding in the Manchester City squad.

Leading 1-0 at the half-time interval, a swift turnaround within the space of six second-half minutes following the restart saw Simone Inzaghi’s side turn the game on its head, overcoming two further City goals by scoring another two of their own in extra-time to win 3-4 in Orlando.

That result sees Manchester City immediately return to England and head on their summer holidays before the start of the new European campaign, while Al Hilal progress into a quarter-final meeting with Fluminense at the Camping World Stadium.

The additional time now at the disposal of the Etihad Stadium side could also be a fresh opportunity for those in decision-making positions to make further choices regarding the futures of first-team stars whose club careers have been hanging in the balance.

Speaking to reporters from Orlando on Monday night following Manchester City’s 3-4 defeat to Al Hilal after extra-time, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on whether a trimming of his squad would now need to take place ahead of the new European season.

“No idea! Which ones?” Guardiola first responded.

“We will see with the club, we’ll talk, the players as well, and at the end the players are really good and the season will be so long,” he continued.

“Many things can happen, that is the reality, that is the truth. But we’ll see what happens in the future.”

Among the names believed to be under review heading deeper into the ongoing summer transfer market are first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and central defensive star John Stones.

All three players have insisted that their futures remain at the Etihad Stadium, however interest from elsewhere in the game could sway their thinking, alongside the honest viewpoints of those within the club.

In the case of Ederson, City would be highly likely to seek out a direct replacement for the Brazil international – who has been attracting interest from Saudi Arabia for some time – with FC Porto’s Diogo Costa believed to be among the names admired.