Guardiola’s Criticism of Liverpool’s Transfer Tactics Boomerangs in Stunning Fashion
Manchester City has adopted a completely different strategy to player sales than Liverpool, but Pep Guardiola’s transfer decisions are now being scrutinized.
Manchester City, a longtime Premier League adversary of Liverpool, has struck a late January transfer window surprise by allowing Joo Cancelo to join Bayern Munich.
Cancelo will transfer to the Bundesliga giants on an initial loan that may be turned permanent for $76m (£62m/€70m) at the end of the season.
Until recently, the fullback was one of Manchester City’s most valuable players, earning selection to the squad of the year in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons after helping the club win consecutive Premier League titles.
In addition to the sales of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, this transaction has been referenced as evidence of Pep Guardiola’s ruthlessness.
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All four players had been significant contributors to the team’s success, but they left for a variety of reasons.
As described above, Cancelo has fallen out of form and out of favor. His relationship with the manager has deteriorated (according to The Athletic), and Guardiola appears uninterested in mending it.
Sterling, meantime, was permitted to depart after expressing displeasure with his position in the team after being benched for both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
Jesus was sold after the entrance of Julian lvarez and, of course, Erling Haaland, while, paradoxically, Zinchenko was deemed surplus to requirements due to Cancelo’s superior status.
And, more generally, Guardiola has already discussed the significance of a high player turnover rate at premier clubs.
In 2021, he told BT Sport, “You must change [things] up.” “You must travel. With the same guys, nothing is ever conceivable. We change. After a loss or victory, we undergo change.”
There is a stark contrast between Liverpool’s attitude and this one, where Jürgen Klopp has been accused of obsessive loyalty.
Some contend that the Reds’ lack of squad renewal has contributed to their lackluster season. They supposedly needed to make some ruthless business decisions about important people and introduce replacements sooner, and as a result, have created a “impossible” situation for themselves.
Guardiola has proved, however, that this technique may fail.
Only Sterling, of the three (soon to be four) headline sales this season, has provided Manchester City with justification. The Englishman has scored just six goals in 22 games for Chelsea, and only one since the end of August in the Premier League.
Jesus contributed 11 goals and assists (and much more off the ball) in his first 14 Premier League outings for Arsenal before to his injury, while Zinchenko has established himself as one of the Gunners’ most valuable players.
As a rotational fullback, the Ukrainian appeared to be the departure with the lowest stakes, but it may be the deal that Manchester City and Guardiola regret the most. He has started all but one game for Mikel Arteta’s team and is a candidate for the team of the year.
Manchester City overestimated Arsenal, thus contributing to the Gunners’ meteoric rise from Europa League level to title frontrunner.
Now, the procedure may be repeated on the European scene. If Cancelo can recover his greatest form at Bayern Munich, it would not be an exaggeration to claim that he might help the Bavarians become contenders for the Champions League, not only this season but for years to come if the loan is made permanent.
If Bayern Munich goes on to win the competition, which Manchester City really wants, and Cancelo plays a pivotal role, then the club’s policy will be scrutinized even more closely.
Manchester City has taught Liverpool that while “ruthlessness” might result in rebirth, it can also result in regret. And although Guardiola believes it is “impossible” to succeed without change, Klopp will point out that his tight-knit bunch has won everything, including the Champions League.
