CLICHY LIKELY TO STAY

Gael Clichy is reported to be likely to remain at the club despite the flurry of planned changes to the first team. Pep Guardiola has not yet made any official comments on who would remain at the club going into next season.

He recently signed Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund and there are other deals going on in the background. Guardiola would need to do a lot of work in the defence which is believed to be their weakest link last season.

The team’s skipper Vincent Kompany had a lot of injuries last season. His partner in Otamendi made lots of errors. Other defenders in Demichelis, Zabaleta and Kolarov are speculated to be set to leave as their performances where below par last season.

There are also reports that the Catalan tactician will be brining in a new centre back in Aymeric Laporte to take over the defence. There are even links to Daniel Carvajal, Aaron Cresswell and Sime Vrsaljko to partner with him.

However, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna are likely to remain at the club to provide cover for the incoming full-backs. Both will likely not get regular playing time, with their age de-marketing them as well.

Similar changes are being made in Chelsea and Manchester United as they also have new managers with ambitious targets for next season. Pep who is 45 years old is expected to return the club to its winning ways, being one with a well-established reputation as one of football's most celebrated managers. With Guardiola on board, Manchester City have become favourites to win the Champions League according to the StanJames odds - they are just 3/1.

The coach also has strong interest in John Stones in the defence.

However, he is not due to make official comments until his first press conference as manager at the beginning of July. Guardiola is known to work with 14 or 15 players that have complete confidence in him. That’s why he always ends up with a very stable playing style and a changing room that doesn't harbour much conflict.