MANCHESTER CITY are potentially staring down the barrel after they were hit with a two-year European football ban by Uefa.
City will fight tooth and nail to overturn the Uefa ban, which also saw them fined £25million, but the news could have a major and immediate impact on the playing staff.
Sergio Aguero could be one of the big name players to depart Man City after their European banCredit: Reuters
It could be good news for talented teen Phil FodenCredit: Reuters
The club house some of the world’s very best players and the prospect of not playing in the Champions League for two years will make every single one of them think twice about their future at the club.
The future of decorated boss Pep Guardiola is also up in the air, with the Catalan coach suddenly odds-on to not even be at the club at the start of next season.
And if they fail to win their appeal, the star-studded City line-up could potentially be a lot different next season if their key men decide they need to be playing in Europe’s prestige competition.
But if the likes of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Nicolas Otamendi depart, it could mean good news for some of the fringe players and youngsters.
Question marks have been raised over the form of John Stones this season, but he would almost be kept on and stay in defence.
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Gabriel Jesus, who has been rotated with the club’s all-time top goalscorer Sergio Aguero, would almost definitely become City’s main man in tack.
And should the situation arise, then finally we may get to see the talented Phil Foden given an extended chance to shine.
The talented 19-year-old has mostly been restricted to sub appearances and cup outings as Guardiola looks to ease him into the team.
But should a number of the key players depart, then City would surely depend on the England Under-21s international to make the step-up and become a nailed-on starter.
He would not be the only teen who could benefit, either.
Centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 18, has already appeared in both domestic cups and the Champions League, with the ace even bagging a goal against Port Vale last month.
He could also be propelled into the first-team on a more regular basis if some of his more senior team-mates head out the exit door.
And his fellow youth team centre-half Eric Garcia, a 19-year-old Spanish U21 starlet, will also fancy his chances of trying to break into the starting XI having already had a taste of the Prem.
Manchester City banned from Champions League for two years and hit with £25m fine by Uefa
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
