Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is confident that Kevin De Bruyne will not be leaving the club amid speculation of a possible move to Saudi Arabia. De Bruyne’s contract with City lasts until 2025, and Guardiola believes there will be no major changes to the squad before the transfer window closes on August 30. Guardiola stated in a press conference that he is delighted with the current squad and expects around 85-95% of the players to remain. He emphasized the difficulty of replacing the quality in the squad and mentioned recent signings such as 20-year-old Brazilian winger Savinho.
Guardiola confirmed that young winger Savinho has joined the team and praised his ability to be devastating in one-on-one situations. He also mentioned that Kalvin Phillips, who was on loan to West Ham United, has been training with the first team. While Guardiola acknowledges the need to keep the squad fresh with one or two new signings, he stressed that major changes are not feasible. He cited the high price tags set by other clubs as a reason why City may not have been able to secure certain transfer targets.
City are set to commence their Premier League title defence on August 18 with a match against Chelsea. Guardiola expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to compete at the highest level and highlighted the importance of maintaining stability within the team. While rumors continue to circulate about De Bruyne’s future, the midfielder’s commitment to City remains strong as they prepare for the upcoming season. City fans can expect to see familiar faces in the squad as Guardiola looks to build on their previous successes in the league.