Manchester City have arguably the strongest squad in England, and one of the strongest in world football.
This is something which sees them remain as the only English team to remain in all three cup competitions – Champions League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup, as well as sitting in third place in the Premier League, within touching distance of Leicester City, who are expected to tail off at some point in the season.
With over £1 billion invested in various aspects of the club, from transfers and wages, to stadium expansions and the new academy, it is probably expected that City are performing well on all fronts.
So perhaps it is slightly surprising that the Blues still have players in and amongst their squad that fans would not mind should they leave the club.
In this article, we will be taking a look at 5 men that Manuel Pellegrini should be looking to replace when the opportunity arises.
Hit Pellegrini below to see FIVE players he should offload in January!
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
Willy Caballero
Having played under current boss Manuel Pellegrini during his time managing Malaga, Willy Caballero was signed as an understudy to first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart. However, the 34-year old has struggled to impress on several occasions when called upon this season.
City fans often feel a slight unease whenever the Argentine is named on the team sheet, and whether a replacement comes from within the club or outside it, Caballero will likely be replaced soon.
Martin Demichelis
Another ageing Argentine defensive player who has previously played under Pellegrini and is now amongst City’s ranks is centre back Martin Demichelis.
Rewarded with a contract extension last summer after an impressive campaign, the 34-year old’s lack of pace has been exploited too many a time this season and Demichelis has struggled to find his way into the team when Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala have been fit.
With his contract extension only lasting until the end of the season, City are expected to place promising young defender Jason Denayer into the first team when he returns from his loan spell at Turkish side Galatasaray.
Gael Clichy
Gael Clichy is one of four experienced first team full backs at Manchester City, all of whom are aged 30 or over.
Not as capable offensively as teammate Aleksander Kolarov, and often suspect when defending, the Frenchman is another of the Blues’ defenders who is expected to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Various replacements have been cited, including Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez, and in the long-term, City’s own Angelino is a favourite amongst supporters to replace the former Arsenal man.
Samir Nasri
Another French ex-Arsenal player who could potentially leave Manchester City soon is playmaker Samir Nasri. The 28-year old has struggled with fitness over the past year, currently on the side-lines for approximately three months with injury.
With attack-minded summer signings Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne playing well, as well as being aged 21 and 24 respectively, and not to mention sensational Spaniard David Silva, Nasri may struggle to fight his way back into Manuel Pellegrini’s starting line-up, and a transfer away from the club that he has been at since 2011 may be a better option.
Fernando
28-year old central midfielder Fernando was signed in June 2014 from FC Porto for a fee in the region of £12 million, and since then he has been a relatively consistent player, although his performances are not exactly spectacular.
Renowned for being a tough tackler, ‘the Octopus’ was seen by many City fans to be the natural replacement for Nigel de Jong, who departed the club for AC Milan in. However, if heavily linked Juventus powerhouse Paul Pogba were to make the switch to the Etihad, Fernando would likely be one of the first to be sold, with Fernandinho and Fabian Delph performing well.
