TREBLE...STRIFE?

While City’s big rivals have recruited magical midfield stars, a huge hole is likely to be blown in the heart of City‘s treble shooters... so can Pep really build another new dynasty?

- JEREMY CROSS

PEP GUARDIOLA'S all-conquering Manchester City team is threatening to have more holes in it than some of the golf courses he likes to frequent.

Great sides like his City one can take years to build. But just a few weeks of neglect to demolish.

And if this summer's transfer window is anything to go by, it looks like Guardiola could be facing an ever bigger than the one he has just pulled off.

Captain Ilkay Gundogan has challend he's had left for Barcelona and will leave a huge void in midfield.

The German was the on-field brains behind City's historic Treble success and will be sorely missed.

So would Bernardo Silva be if, like it has been suggested, the Portugal winger decides to quit on the highest of highs and seek out a new challenge. Silva has been like perpetual motion for City in recent seasons and one of Guardiola's most influential stars.

Riyad Mahrez would also be a big miss. The wideman is expected to become the latest big name to leave his moral compass in his locker and take the huge wages on offer at one of the clubs in Saudi Arabia.