The Citizens in the Transfer Tavern are loving life under Pep Guardiola this season and are beginning to dream of a first-ever Champions League trophy in May. Indeed, the Spaniard’s city slickers look like one of the best teams in the world right now. 

Manchester City have thoroughly enjoyed a breathtaking opening to the campaign in Guardiola’s second season at the helm. Taunts of ‘Fraudiola’ that persisted from fans across the world throughout City’s trophy-less campaign last year have been firmly quashed by City’s impeccable early-season form.

City have only failed to win in one of twelve outings so far this season, when they drew 1-1 at home to Everton at the Etihad in August.

There is a tendency from the media to build hype during the opening stages of the season, by making predictions for title-winners based on only a handful of games.

For example, the Citizens propping up the bar will be the first to tell you about City’s two previous Premier League campaigns. After bursting out the blocks in the opening few weeks, they were widely tipped to emerge as champions, however, they failed in their title pursuit on both of these occasions.

If City are to achieve the honours they are capable of this season, they simply cannot afford to have any weak links holding back their star-studded squad.

The emergence of Fabian Delph who has performed impeccably at left-back in the absence of long-term Benjamin Mendy, serves to emphasise the quality of strength in depth of the current City squad.

Considering City’s scintillating form, it may seem absurd to suggest the sale of any one of their players right now, however, there are still players within the City ranks who director of football Txiki Begiristain should do his very best to offload in the January transfer window.

With that in mind, here are three players who should leave Manchester City in January.

Claudio Bravo

Chilean Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has endured a torrid time at Manchester City since his summer move from Barcelona in 2016.

Bravo set the tone for his scarily unconvincing City career, during his debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford in September 2016 where he looked panicked, clumsy and indecisive throughout.

The confidence that City are demonstrating defensively at the moment has certainly been influenced by the signing of Ederson, who has looked impervious between the sticks since his arrival from Benfica.

If Ederson picks up an injury this season, they will only have Bravo to call upon, which would certainly restore the anxiety of last season into the back line and scupper City’s chances of collecting silverware this year.

City must sell Bravo in January and replace him with a more reliable goalkeeper, in order to challenge Ederson for the number one shirt.

Eliaquim Mangala

Unlike Bravo, Mangala began his City career in fine form with a solid debut performance at the Etihad against Chelsea, where he had no problem dealing with the menacing Diego Costa.

However, he has struggled to replicate the kind of performance he displayed that day throughout his time at the club.

With all due respect, Mangala does not naturally suit the brand of passing football that Guardiola is working to implement at the club, and considering he has only featured for 19 minutes in the league this season, it appears his time with City is coming to an end.

Mangala and Begiristain should work together to organise a transfer in January that would be mutually beneficial for club and player.

Yaya Toure

The day Yaya Toure departs from Manchester City, will be a very sad day for everybody involved at the club. Toure has been a driving force during a watershed period of City’s history, and his impact will certainly live long in the memory of City fans worldwide.

He was instrumental in their FA cup run of 2012 under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, which saw them clinch their first trophy in 34 years, after Toure scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Manchester United, and the final against Stoke City at Wembley.

The punters in the Tavern claim the Ivorian will forever be regarded as a City legend but believe the time is right for him to embark on one final challenge before retirement.

Despite featuring heavily in Guardiola’s plans last season, Toure appears to be surplus to requirements.

Toure has managed just one league appearance this year, when he came off the bench in the dying embers of City’s demolition of Stoke last Saturday.

Providing Fernandinho and Gundogan manage to stay fit this season, Toure stands very little chance of featuring in Guardiola’s plans, so he would be wise to explore the possibility of a move away from Manchester this January.