City squad depth under scrutiny

Manchester City win 4-0 at Wolves, but Guardiola says the squad is not healthy and must be trimmed before the window closes.

Guardiola pushes City squad trim ahead of transfer deadline

Manchester City opened the Premier League with a 4-0 win at Wolves, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Tijjani Reijnders catching the eye on his league debut. Rayan Cherki came off the bench to score as City showed attacking intent, while James Trafford started in goal. Ederson did not travel due to illness, keeping the goalie situation in focus amid transfer talk.

After the match, Guardiola said the squad is not healthy and needs trimming in the next two weeks as the transfer window closes. He noted injuries and absences and stressed that talks with players and agents will shape who stays and who leaves. He added that a deep squad is essential to compete, but he does not want players left at home, valuing a vibrant and competitive dressing room.

City’s win confirms their attacking firepower but highlights a deeper issue: balance between breadth and cohesion. Guardiola’s call for trimming signals a shift from sheer quantity to a leaner, more agile group. The move could ease rotation but risk alienating players who feel they are in the mixing pool for minutes across multiple competitions.

The coming two weeks will test City’s handling of personnel, contracts, and morale. If negotiations with players and agents go smoothly, City could emerge with a sharper unit. If not, the season may hinge on how quickly the club can reconcile prestige with practical squad management and maintain a positive atmosphere in the locker room.

Highlights

The window’s outcome will echo on the field in City’s approach to rotation and ambition.