November 12, (THEWILL) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has no issues with selling players to direct English Premier League rivals, insisting the club always does what is best for all parties.
That stance will be put to the test on Sunday when Man City travel to Chelsea, where they will come up against two recent departees: Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling. Both left the Etihad in search of more game time, with Palmer joining Chelsea for £42.5m in August after growing frustrated at limited opportunities under Guardiola.
The City boss said: “I give my opinion to the club but after that, the club has to decide if the transfer is good for both sides and for the player. But never ever has it been an issue. I think that means you are a small club.”
Guardiola believes if players want to move on, clubs have an obligation to let them. He said Palmer and Sterling’s decisions to join Chelsea already look justified given their consistent game time.
The Catalan reiterated he never tries to block transfers, saying: “So, if they want to go to Chelsea or United or Liverpool, what is the problem? They are happy to be there, the club is happy for the transfer. Another player would come and we’d keep going: good spirit, good mood, and try to do it.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
