Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City 'maybe should have' made signings after 'saying no' to summer moves

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Pep Guardiola believes his decision to avoid making summer signings was a mistake. The Manchester City boss said "maybe we should have" brought in reinforcements due to the injuries that have blighted his squad in a difficult 2024/25 campaign. Man City travel to Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Guardiola suggests Man City should have made more summer signings

Video credit: SNTV

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he "maybe should have" made summer signings after telling the club that he did not want any new arrivals.

Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan were the Premier League champions’ only major arrivals ahead of a chaotic 2024/25 season.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Brentford – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – Guardiola explained why he thought he did not need new recruits, and why he has since changed his mind.

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"In the summer time, [when] the club thought about doing it [making signings], I said no, I don't want to make any signings," Guardiola said.

"I want to rely on the team, and I want to stay with them. Just Savio came. Gundo [Gundogan] came back, [which] was unexpected at the end.

"I said, because I rely a lot on these guys, and I thought we still can do it again. But after the injuries, wow, maybe we should have done it.

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"But you never know in that position. I think the team is really good and the squad is really, really good. I have that feeling.

"Central defenders exceptional, the full-backs are exceptional and all the players that we have. Otherwise, we cannot achieve what we achieved in recent years. Not four or five or six years ago, last season."

City’s Premier League title defence fell apart in the first half of the season, and they travel to Brentford sixth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Guardiola’s side are looking to make signings this month, with Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush and Vitor Reis all linked with moves to the Etihad.

However, Kyle Walker could be heading for the exit door after being given permission to find a move abroad.

On Walker, who is reportedly wanted by AC Milan and Inter, Guardiola said: "What's going to happen is going to happen.

"At the end of the transfer window [if he] stays, we will be happy. If he has to leave, it will happen. The rest, I don't want to add anything else. Brentford is my priority right now."

Stream the 2024-25 Premier League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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