Pep Guardiola- Man City FFP Charges could be woster than just points deduction 

Pep Guardiola- Man City FFP Charges could be woster than just points deduction 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has admitted the Premier League has got itself into a position where it can’t back down to Manchester City over the 115 charges – and the final punishment could be even worse than a points deduction.

 

 

Pep Guardiola’s side were dealt 115 charges by the Premier League in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period.

 

Man City are alleged to have concealed payments through third parties by disguising them as sponsorship revenue.

 

The English champions’ case is expected to be heard in November, with Football Insider revealing in April they could be relegated to the Championship if they are found guilty.

 

Man City must be handed genuine punishment by Premier League

Wyness believes a points deduction alone wouldn’t be a fair outcome after Everton and Nottingham Forest were both docked points last season.

 

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think the Premier League have got themselves in a situation now, having gone after Everton and Forest on different charges.

 

“They couldn’t be seen to back down on the City charges now and I don’t think the football world would allow that.

 

“The Premier League would be almost finished in terms of sporting integrity if it did.

 

 

“I think there is going to have to be some sort of sanction on City in some way, but also something City will think is better than what they would have got had they gone through the whole court case.

 

“Whether that’s points deductions again, which doesn’t seem fair for the 115 charges compared to Everton and Forest.

 

 

Manchester City have added Savinho to their squad so far this summer with any high profile departures likely to shape future business.

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, gives instructions to his players

Man City have a squad more than capable of challenging on all fronts

Manchester City completed their first summer signing on the eve of their pre-season tour of America.

 

 

The long-awaited arrival of Savio was confirmed this week with the Brazil international arriving from sister club Troyes for an initial £21million. He will be absent from the Stateside trip having featured in the Copa America but will join City’s first team squad on his arrival rather than head off on loan.

 

That provides Pep Guardiola with another option on the flank with Savio offering direct dribbling similar to Jeremy Doku. City are unlikely to be prolific in the market and much of their future business will depend on whether there are any key departures.

 

Ederson is wanted by Saudi Arabian clubs while Kevin De Bruyne has spoken of the temptation to move to the Saudi Pro League. Speculation has linked Julian Alvarez with an unlikely move away while Kalvin Phillips will seek a transfer.

 

A number of youngsters will be involved in pre-season amid a host of absent first-team players and several could be on the move this summer either on loan or in permanent deals. Guardiola often operates with a small squad supplemented by academy graduates and that will likely again be the case despite an increased workload caused by an expanded Champions League and Club World Cup.

 

With that in mind, we take a look at how City’s squad looks and what might change over the remainder of the window in our audit of the player inventory.

 

Goalkeepers

A position where City are certainly well stocked. For now, Stefan Ortega penned a new deal earlier this summer and will seek the No.1 spot after impressing when called upon last season as his value rose.

 

A lot will depend on what happens with Ederson with the Brazilian still regarded as clear first choice by the City hierarchy after they rejected a £25m offer from Al-Nassr. Should he depart, Guardiola will need to act in the transfer market. Scott Carson, having agreed a new 12-month deal, will act as third choice.

 

Defenders

 

City have a depth of talent at the back. Captain Kyle Walker and the exciting Josko Gvardiol will likely be first choice at full-back. John Stones had a frustrating campaign last term but once fit he is the strongest centre-back along with partner Ruben Dias. Manu Akanji and Nathan Ake will play plenty of big games next term and both could conceivably become regulars. Rico Lewis is another option at full back, as well as in midfield, with the versatile academy graduate having proved his quality in his showings thus far.

 

Sergio Gomez has already departed this summer, and it remains to be seen what comes next for Issa Kabore who spent last term on loan at Luton but is now back in the City fold. Josh Wilson-Esbrand, a breakout star two summers ago, struggled during two loan spells last season but could offer cover at left-back.

 

Callum Doyle has trained at the CFA this week having won promotion from the Championship with Leicester last season and while he is expected to tour with City, a loan to Norwich has been lined up. Tom Galvez and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey are the next names to watch from the academy.

 

Central midfielders

 

Rodri will be the mainstay and while there seems an obvious need to add another option with Phillips unlikely to be part of the plans, there is no guarantee City will oblige. Mateo Kovacic can operate in the defensive role while Matheus Nunes will want to kick on following his arrival from Wolves a year ago. Lewis is another option.

 

Further forward, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden will resume their battle to be first choice No.10 with Foden having operated out wide when the Belgian was fit last season. The speculation over De Bruyne’s future refuses to go away but there is no doubt he has yet to reach his best before date.

 

The indomitable Bernardo Silva offers versatility and ability across a host of positions and will again be an important player despite the annual speculation linking him with an Etihad exit.

 

 

Jacob Wright and Mahamadou Susoho, who both made the senior debuts last season, are the most promising options to step up from the academy while Maximo Perrone and Alexander Robertson are likely to leave on loan.

 

Wingers

Jack Grealish will have a point to prove this summer having drifted out of the starting XI during an injury-hit 2024-25 campaign. There has been a lot of chatter about his future already this summer, with Arsenal linked with a £60m swoop, although the player himself appears to be sending a message of intent with the work he has put in after being axed from the England squad.

 

Jeremy Doku proved his worth in his debut season while new arrival Savinho will hope to challenge for a regular spot after starring at Girona last term. He has professed a preference for the right-wing slot which Foden and Silva have occupied at times.

 

 

Oscar Bobb is an exciting talent with a bright future and offers another squad option meaning City look well stocked on the flanks. Micah Hamilton looks the next cab off the rank from the academy having made his senior debut last season.

 

Strikers

A little bit lighter in inventory but not lacking in quality products. Erling Haaland will obviously lead the line with Alvarez more than a capable deputy and an option in the No.10 role.

 

City have plenty of false nine options should the need arise while academy players Joel Ndala, Justin Oboavwoduo and Jaden Heskey will no doubt remain in the back of the stock cupboard for the majority of the season while eyeing senior minutes, having trained with the first-team group last term.