'Don't want him' - Pep Guardiola says Man City still need a smaller squad

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to reporters ahead of the team's friendly with Palermo on Saturday night

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City still need to trim their squad as they prepare for the new season.

The manager has been vocal in not wanting a bigger group but has seen more new faces come in than old ones depart in the summer transfer window.

City's manager named a squad of just 22 for the friendly with Palermo on Saturday, leaving Jack Grealish, James McAtee and Stefan Ortega out of the travelling group in a clear sign that they are not part of his plans and can pursue moves elsewhere this season. James Trafford signed as fresh competition for Ederson in goal to mean that Ortega's place is no longer available.

Vitor Reis headed out on loan to Girona this week with a move confirmed on Friday, and Guardiola said that while he loves the defender it is a case of not wanting him to be sat at home every weekend with others in front of him. Asked if there would be any more arrivals to the squad, the City boss does not think so and is hoping more go.

"A lot of players should leave. New players, I don’t think so," he said.

"We need a little bit less. I don’t like (lots) of players. One reason we sent Vitor Reis to Girona is for that.

"I love Vitor a lot and he has an incredible future but I don’t want him staying at home every weekend. The transfer window is moving a lot and many things are going to happen.

"We’ll see what happens and how we will handle it. We’ll handle it as best as possible."

City are having to deal with an injury setback for Rodri, who suffered a 'big injury' against Al Hilal in the Club World Cup and isn't expected to be fully fit until after the first international break. There are other problems in the squad, and Guardiola does not expect the team to be at their best as they head into the season.

"We’ve got some niggles, players coming back with some injuries, but the mood is quite similar to what we were living at the Club World Cup," he said.

"Maybe we missed some friendly games to prepare and arrive the first three games against Wolves, Spurs and Brighton a little bit better but we needed to rest and decided to make more training sessions than play games."

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