With the transfer window closing soon, Manchester City is about to determine which players will be integral to their campaign. Pep Guardiola is keeping his options open for last-minute signings but emphasizes that any significant additions before Friday’s deadline are unlikely. He’s particularly concerned about finding more support for Erling Haaland, as the striker can’t play every game. The loss of Julián Álvarez and Oscar Bobb’s injury until the new year adds to this concern, though new signings like Savinho and the return of Ilkay Gundogan, along with James McAtee, might provide some relief.
The transfer window might also see some exits. Joao Cancelo has an option for a permanent move to Al Hilal, and Issa Kabore is attracting interest from the Premier League and Europe. Apart from these, and some potential loan moves for younger players, Guardiola is likely to stick with the core squad that clinched the league title last season.
Gundogan’s return, after his stint away, adds an intriguing dynamic to the team. Although no longer captain—a role now held by Kyle Walker—Gundogan’s leadership remains invaluable. Walker took over the captaincy last summer, edging out Kevin De Bruyne, while Bernardo Silva joined the leadership group, and Rodri and Ruben Dias also climbed the hierarchy in Gundogan’s absence.
In theory, Gundogan now finds himself sixth in line for the captaincy, a significant shift from his role as the treble-winning captain. Despite this, Gundogan has expressed that the captaincy isn’t his primary focus. “To be honest, it is something I didn’t really think about, it doesn’t matter,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to leading by example, both on and off the field.
Guardiola leaves the captaincy decisions to the players, maintaining a hands-off approach. Whether the team decides to maintain the current leadership structure or re-elect their leaders with Gundogan back in the mix will be one of the first issues addressed after the transfer window closes. Regardless of the decision, Gundogan’s return adds to the wealth of leadership within the squad, a factor that can only bode well for City’s ambitions this season.
