The City squad travelling to Romania for the Champions League play-off tie has been named, and several big players have been left out, continuing the purge of the squad by Pep Guardiola. Yaya Toure is the next big name to be cut from the squad, after being left out of the 21-man squad on the plane to Bucharest.
Both the Ivorian and Jason Denayer were included in the preliminary squad for the tie against Steaua Bucuresti which was sent to UEFA, but haven’t made the final cut and will stay in England.
Yaya also missed out on the Premier League opener against Sunderland, and now must be worried about his City future with just a year left on his contract. Denayer is thought to be on the verge of leaving The Blues, frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities afforded him under Manuel Pellegrini and now Pep Guardiola.
Those two join Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri and Wilfried Bony on the sidelines while City aim to earn qualification for the group stages against the Romanian side. A number could leave before the transfer window closes, with AC Milan having reportedly bid for Mangala and Crystal Palace potentially interested in Bony. Denayer also seems set to return to Turkey on a permanent deal.
There is also good news for City fans in the 21-man squad: Nicolas Otamendi is indeed in it after sitting out the 2-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday. Three youngsters are also flying with the team, Angus Gunn, Tosin Adarabioyo and Angelino. Unfortunately Leroy Sane hasn’t managed to make it back to fitness in time, with the German still struggling with a hamstring problem.
City squad: Hart, Caballero, Gunn; Sagna, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Adarabioyo, Kolarov, Clichy, Angelino; Fernando, Fernandinho, Delph, Silva, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Iheanacho, Aguero, Nolito
