Manchester City aren’t scared to sell players to rival clubs Pep Guardiola has told the media. Speaking before his side’s clash with Chelsea the City manager explained that he believes it is the mentality of a small club to worry about how a player performs for a rival.
Guardiola was asked if there was a situation where Manchester City thought they shouldn’t sell a player to a particular club. He answered: “Never, ever. From my point of view. I said many times, I give my opinion to the club but the club have to decide if the transfer suits good for both sides. For the player, for the clubs, but never, ever. Why? I think that means you are a small club. Big clubs they would not have fear for what happens, decisions are made for the benefit of all three parts; players, and both clubs… and agents, sometimes. Really, it’s not a problem.”
In recent seasons the European champions have sold Gabriel Jesus and Olexander Zinchenko to Arsenal. Plus they’ve also sold Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer to Chelsea. The treble winners would rather maintain a happy squad and sell any player who wants more opportunities elsewhere no matter who the destination is.
The additions of Jesus and Zinchenko no doubt strengthened Arsenal. But Manchester City ultimately beat them to the Premier League title last season. In the case of Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer the pair have joined a rebuilding Chelsea. Both players play important roles for Mauricio Pochettino’s side but as it stands they aren’t directly competing with Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Manchester City will face off against two of their former players in Sterling and Palmer today as they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
