Pep's contract, key men on the brink, strikers and charges: City's main issues...

Blues face tough decisions in coming months

- JOE BRAY

TXIKI Begiristain declared himself pleased with City’s transfer business and squad balance after the summer window.

In came Ilkay Gundogan and Savinho, out went Julian Alvarez and Sergio Gomez. A £124m profit added to the positivity around the Etihad after deadline day.

But football never stands still and City know there are plenty of unanswered questions ahead – not least because a decision on the club’s charges for alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is set to be given at some point in the next few months. There are key men at the club out of contract in 2025, important players who are not getting any younger, and some positions only an injury away from looking very thin in numbers.

M.E.N. Sport has looked at the main issues facing City:

■ GUARDIOLA CONTRACT

The biggest story for City this season – on the football side at least – will be Pep Guardiola’s contract. He has offered an insight into his mindset over the summer, but has now drawn a line under questions and refused to talk about his future when asked last week. He is expected to leave, but has left the door tantalisingly open and said: “If you love what you do, why should I stop? I like it – as much they hired me – so let’s go.”