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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Charlie Wilson

Four Man City players with a point to prove to Pep Guardiola this season

Coming off the back of another Premier League triumph, it's probably fair to say that all of Manchester City's players can be reasonably happy with themselves. What they are accomplishing is nothing short of magnificent.

Pep Guardiola has built a solid core of a team that continues to dominate the domestic game. However, change is in the air at the Etihad Stadium this summer.

With Raheem Sterling set to join Gabriel Jesus in leaving the club, City's matchday squads could have a very different look next season. Of course, their departures will open doors for some of the players remaining at the club, while plenty of others will be keen to impress Guardiola over the coming season.

READ MORE: Brighton outline Cucurella transfer stance

Here are four players who have a point to prove at City, all for very different reasons, but all with the same goal.

John Stones

John Stones is in somewhat of a precarious position at City. At times he has been truly magnificent, but he could find himself as the fourth-choice centre-back this season and that would be harsh on him. Injuries have seen him slip down the pecking order, with Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias building a solid partnership.

And with Nathan Ake rumoured to be close to an exit, City will certainly look to replace him - with Jules Kounde recently being linked. If Stones is able to stay fit, he could challenge Laporte for a starting spot.

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish has admitted himself that he needs to improve on last season's performances. Speaking moments after lifting his first Premier League title, Grealish gave an honest assessment of a mixed first year at the Blues where he didn't always reach the heights of his time at Aston Villa, but steadily improved under Guardiola.

Asked to reflect on his season in three words, he instead offered four, saying to Sky Sports: "Harder than I thought!

"More difficult than I thought, I stepped out of my comfort zone, new changing room, new surroundings and new teammates. Harder than I thought but this today makes up for it.

"I know I can kick on and certainly will, I feel I've played my part in certain games, little things like the goal at West Ham, I can kick on so much more, I know myself how much of a role I've got to play at this club."

Nobody should doubt Grealish's talent, nor how important he is to Guardiola's plans. But if he's going to live up to the lofty price tag, his output must improve this season.

With a year under his belt and with Sterling expected to leave, Grealish will likely be given a more prominent role, and it'll be a big one for his career if he's able to thrive.

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2021/22, appearing in four Premier League matches and scoring in the Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup - but he's still got so much more to prove.

The 20-year-old's season was cruelly curtailed by injuries and illness, but if his performances for both the first team and EDS are anything to go by, he will be the main beneficiary of Sterling and Jesus' departures.

Along with Julian Alvarez and Liam Delap (who could also be on this list) Palmer can expect to see more playing time this season. He's shown in cameos what he's capable of but City will hope to see that in prolonged spells this season.

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland is arguably one of the most talented strikers on the planet. He's quick, strong, athletic and prolific. He's done it at every level he's been at, but now in the Premier League, with so much expected of him, he'll want to make a statement.

Still just 21 years old, the youngster has years before he hits his prime. He's already the favourite to finish as the season's top goalscorer - above the likes of Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane. You might not have expected to see him on this list, but with so many City players struggling to adapt to life under Pep in their first year at the club, Haaland needs to prove he's the exception to the rule.

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