Manchester City has a lot of problems to deal with. Yesterday, the English press revealed that the residents of the Etihad Stadium should be assessed this month regarding the 115 offenses of which they are accused of having circumvented financial rules in England between 2009 and 2018. At the same time, the Skyblues must also manage several important cases within their workforce. Besides the injured, it is especially Rodri who is worrying. The Spaniard is struggling to find his best form and his future is at the center of debate, while his contract will end in June 2027 and Real Madrid are thinking of him.
The Cityzens do not want to rush and are waiting to see how it will evolve over the coming months. But he is not the only player who concerns the Mancunians at the moment. This Thursday, the Manchester Evening News explains that three players on the squad are in a particularly delicate situation. After having recruited almost €460 million over the year 2025 to afford Gianluigi Donnarumma, Tijjani Reijnders, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and even Omar Marmoush, to name but a few, Man City and Pep Guardiola must best manage a group rich in quality and quantity.
City must manage several delicate cases
We must manage playing time and egos since the numerous recruitments have taken their toll. Players for whom playing is very important, even more so during a World Cup year. THE MEN first mentions the name of Nathan Aké (30 years old). The Netherlands international has been publicly warned by Ronald Koeman that he will not be able to join the Netherlands if he does not play regularly at club level. This season, he has been used 6 times by Guardiola, including 1 time as a starter. He bears the brunt of the competition just like Rico Lewis (20 years old).
The latter lost ground to Matheus Nunes, John Stones and Abdukhodir Khusanov, who were all preferred to the right-back position. Bad news for the Englishman, who still hopes to get his ticket for the World Cup. Finally, among the players in danger, we find a summer recruit. This is James Trafford. The English goalkeeper was recruited for €30 million from Burnley on July 29. A necessary purchase to strengthen the goalkeeper position and prepare for the future since Stefan Ortega and Ederson, who signed for Fenerbahçe, were pushed out.
A reinforcement is already thinking about leaving
Trafford therefore started the season as a holder. Used 4 times, he conceded 4 goals and kept a clean sheet. Problem, the Cityzens decided to recruit Gianluigi Donnarumma when PSG clearly put him on the market. A hard blow for the 22-year-old goalkeeper who saw a strong competitor arrive and settle in the cages. Because Gigio (6 matches) is clearly Guardiola's number 1 this season. Which therefore complicates the affairs of James Trafford, who had signed to compete with Ederson and who found himself with the winner of the 2025 Yachine Trophy in his hands.
THE MEN indicates that this is a huge blow for the player, whose objective was to be number 1 at City but also to steal Jordan Pickford's place in the English national team. Selected by Thomas Tuchel for the matches against Wales (friendly) and Latvia (qualifying for the 2026 World Cup), he could have playing time. But if his situation continues in Manchester, he has a good chance of falling by the wayside. THE MEN thus specifies that he does not rule out a departure and will evaluate his options during the winter transfer window. Although City are not sellers, a loan could be an attractive option for everyone. Donnarumma has already claimed one victim at City.
