Man City have given themselves a January transfer window opportunity to solve growing problem

Manchester City have been oversubscribed for their Champions League squad all summer but now suddenly have some headroom

Pep Guardiola

All summer long, the rules of the Champions League squad have hovered over Manchester City. In making so many signings first in the January transfer window and then the two summer ones, the squad contained too many players that weren't homegrown for UEFA's regulations.

Pep Guardiola wanted a smaller squad anyway, but departures were necessary also because the alternative would be telling senior players in the group that they would not be able to play in the premier European competition. Guardiola was willing to do that, yet the happier alternative for everyone was that those at risk of suffering that found another club instead.

Even on deadline day, City still had two too many. Ederson's departure did nothing to solve that because Gianluigi Donnarumma replaced him and there was no prospect of him not being named in the Champions League squad. The Italian will go straight into Guardiola's plans for every competition.

Finally, came more movement. After passing on a number of options, Manu Akanji agreed terms with Inter to move there on a season-long loan and Ilkay Gundogan is about to complete a transfer to Galatasaray.

In 24 hours, City have brought themselves down to the top of UEFA's limit, meaning nobody needs to be left out. Somebody still can be though, and Stefan Ortega can count himself fortunate if he is included.

James Trafford's arrival effectively signalled the end of Ortega's time challenging for the No.1 spot at the Etihad, and Marcus Bettinelli had already been brought in as Scott Carson's replacement. With either Ederson or Donnarumma going to be the goalkeeper of choice, Ortega's future was clearly away from City.

Except he was needed in the opening weeks of the season after injury to Bettinelli, and has stayed beyond the transfer deadline. Unless he finds a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia in the next few weeks, he will be at the Etihad until January.

Whether he is or isn't in the Champions League squad that is named on Tuesday evening, there is no need for a fourth goalkeeper if City need to fill a non-homegrown slot another way. Take Ortega out and there is suddenly room for a January signing to arrive and become part of the squad.

Fans have been clamouring for a right-back for most of the summer and the noise has got louder since Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes have again struggled at right-back. There is also the potential for City to troubleshoot in any position they feel is needed though, knowing that they are able to improve their Champions League squad for the knockouts should they wish to.

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