Pep Guardiola has conceded that Manchester City could face challenges in attracting their top transfer targets this summer should they fail to secure Champions League football.
City, who are currently poised at fifth place – sufficient for Champions League qualification due to the Premier League’s standing with UEFA – have plans to bolster their squad further after a £180million spending spree on four new players in January.
With Kevin De Bruyne set to depart and other players expected to leave, City are reportedly eyeing talents like Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. Guardiola acknowledged the allure of Champions League football, saying “It’s a good question,” as he prepares his side for Saturday’s clash with Everton.
“It depends on the players we want and whether they just have one option.
“If they have many, I’m pretty sure the players take a look to the ones in the Champions League, of course.”
He added, “Maybe players will come anyway and then there are the other ones who say they don’t want to go because of no Champions League.”
Guardiola also mentioned that he hasn’t discussed specific players for the upcoming season nor does the club have different recruitment lists depending on their league success. When questioned about the potential impact of missing out on the Champions League, Guardiola’s response was:”I will let you know.”
Guardiola asserted the obvious preference for Champions League over Europa League, stating: “For all the clubs it’s better to be in the Champions League than the Europa League, that’s for sure.”
However, he emphasized that such accomplishments must be earned: “But you have to earn it. Nothing in this world is taken for granted and you have to deserve it to play next season there.”
Discussions about player commitments emerged, with Guardiola noting contractual obligations: “They have contracts. Except for Kevin, all the others have contracts.”
The City boss then commented on the club’s planning, saying: “The club and organisation decide the best way. Now I’m not so concerned about the club working behind the scenes.”
His immediate attention, however, remains firmly on the present campaign: “What I’m concerned about is these final six games and FA Cup semi-final. After that we have one week to 10 days off and on June 5, start again.”
Revealing summer plans, he said: “Seven days before we will fly to the United States and prepare for the Club World Cup.”
Guardiola also conceded that competing for a Champions League place presents a different challenge to defending the Premier League title: “It’s different when you play for titles, but we play next Saturday to reach another final in the FA Cup”.
He stressed the importance of focus amidst a busy schedule: “Playing every three days doesn’t give you time to disconnect and when that happens it’s important that the training is good, relax the players for the moment of the game and then 3pm on Saturday is the key.”
