New Delhi: The reigning, defending Premier League Champions Manchester City face a period of uncertainty till early 2025 as the club are in the midst of what’s being dubbed as the ‘Trial of the Century‘. The club have been accused by the Premier League of breaching it’s financial rules and have a whopping 115 charges against them. The hearing for the trial began last Monday and will last for about 10 weeks with the verdict being expected in January/February 2025.
If the defending champions are found guilty of these charges, the punishment they face are severe. There are talks about the club being hit with a transfer ban, a massive fine and even more severely, they might be stripped off their honours and a potential relegation is also on the cards. A former chairman of a Premier League club has also claimed that the club might be relegated down one or two divisions if they are guilty of these charges.
Manchester City are currently one of the best clubs in the world and have some superstars of the game amongst their ranks. Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Rodri are some of the best players in their position and if the club do go down, it’s highly likely that there will be a mass exodus of players. However, there some players that might stick with the club and help them back to glory, like we saw with Juventus when they were relegated back in 2006.
Players like Gigi Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero, and Pavel Nedvěd, all helped Juve back into the top-flight. Here’s a list of five current Manchester City players that might stick with their club to help them out of this situation.
5) İlkay Gündoğan
Ilkay Gundogan is a certified City legend and is loved by the fans. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Former Manchester City captain İlkay Gündoğan has been one of the best players to ever represent the club. Gündoğan has already etched his name in the history books of the club as he was the captain of Manchester City’s treble winning squad of 2023. He left the club after that triumphant season to fulfill his dream of playing for Barcelona but a year on from that move, he is back at the club that made him the player he is.
His love for the club is pretty evident and it is reciprocated by the City faithful as well. Affectionately called Gundo by the club’s fanbase, the former German International is undoubtedly a legend of the club. Now aged 33, he is towards the fag end of his career and there’s a real possibility that he might stick around to help the club climb back up if they are relegated. City would need all the help they can get and Gundo’s experience and leadership skills would be key in the lower leagues of England.
4) Nathan Aké
Nathan Ake has quietly become an integral player under Pep. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
An unorthodox choice but Dutch defender Nathan Aké could realistically stick around for Manchester City if they end up being relegated. Out of all the players on this list, Aké is the one who has joined the club most recently but has become a key figure for the Cityzens. A part of Chelsea’s youth academy, he was never given his due chance at the London club and was expected to become a bit part player at the Etihad. However, his versatility helped him become integral to Pep’s squad. With City’s squad expected to be filled with younger players in case of a relegation, Aké’s experience will come in handy.
Capable of playing left-back and as a defensive midfielder, apart from his primary position of a center-back, Aké would be a handy option to have for the club if they go down. With a lot of stars expected to leave in case of a relegation, he will be one of the first names on the sheet. The Dutchman also has experience of playing in the lower leagues of England while on loan from Chelsea, which will be a massive advantage for him and Manchester City. He’s spent his entire senior career in England and he seems like someone who will stick with the club in such a situation.
3) Rico Lewis
Rico Lewis is also a highly rated prospect to come out of the Manchester City academy. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Rico Lewis is an up-and-coming star out of the Manchester City academy and has already shown his quality on the biggest stages that he’s performed at. Current manager Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of the youngster for his mentality, tenacity and versatility. Still only 19, he can play as a full-back or even as a defensive midfielder, he would get regular first-team football if he chooses to stay at the club in case of a relegation, something he might not be guaranteed at other clubs.
Born in the Greater Manchester area, Lewis has been a City player through and through having joined the club when he was just eight years old, in 2012. He played for the U-18s while he was still 15 and also captained the side to the 2021-22 title. He has shown that he has the leadership and footballing abilities and refining them with regular game-time in the lower leagues would help mould him into a better player as well.
2) Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker is a modern day legend for Manchester City. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Current Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has been an ever-present for the Sky Blues ever since he made the switch from Tottenham back in 2017. Even at the age of 34, he is still seen as one of the best right backs in the league and has managed to keep his spot in the club’s starting lineup. The move to City was a huge stepping stone in his career as it arguably made him England’s best ever right back. After Gündoğan left for Barcelona last season, Walker was given the armband and he led the club to another league title last season.
Now heading towards the latter stages of his career, he has won everything there is to win in club football. If Manchester City do get relegated at the end of this season, Walker can be someone who takes the responsibility and help the club fight their way out of such a situation. Even if he doesn’t play as many games, just having him in the dressing room as a leader and as a voice that will be respected by the potentially young squad, it will be vastly beneficial for the club.
1) Phil Foden
Phil Foden was born in the Greater Manchester area and has been a City fan since he was a kid. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Moving on to the player for whom there are zero doubts in my mind, Phil Foden. The English International is the crown jewel of Manchester City’s academy and is probably the best player that have produced till now. Foden is a regular starter for the club and is amongst the best attacking players in the world currently. He ended last season with 39 goal contributions in 52 games and won the Premier League’s Player of the Season award for his performances.
Still only 24, Foden is heading towards the peak of his career and while it might be baffling to see someone of his age and talent slug it out in either the championship or the league one, he is a true bred City blue. Manchester City are Foden’s boyhood club and even though his family is filled with United supporters, Foden has always been a City boy. He joined the club when he was four and the club even paid for his tuition growing up. If Manchester City go down, expect Foden to go down with them because football is nothing without loyalty.
Manchester City are currently involved in arguably the biggest trial the beautiful game has ever seen and the repercussions for the same would be huge if they are found guilty. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
