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With a little over a week of the transfer window to go, there remains a sense that plates are being spun within Manchester City, with the possibility that one crashing to the floor could yet set off a chain reaction.
There is clearly a need to trim this squad, as Pep Guardiola has made clear all summer and with more force the closer we get to September 1. According to the City boss, the squad is "too big" and "unhealthy."
So, it was inevitable that Friday's press conference would focus heavily on transfer activity as another week passes without a permanent departure, despite speculation surrounding the futures of Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan, and Savinho.
Guardiola played a pretty straight bat to questions about potential exits, but in many ways, his answer also revealed the situation City find themselves in heading into the final days of August.
"I don't know. They are our players and we will see what happens. I think a few things are going to happen and we will see," he said.
It wasn't an answer that suggested the picture is particularly clear at the Etihad. 'I don't know', 'we will see what happens', and 'a few things are going to happen' hint to at least a degree of uncertainty as to how things will pan out.
Players have to leave the club this week, but the question for Guardiola and director of football Hugo Viana is probably more around: Will it be the players they want to go? Can they sell Akanji and Gundogan? Will Kalvin Phillips finally get his permanent exit, and will Stefan Ortega depart, as was expected when James Trafford returned?
None of that feels guaranteed at the moment, and the longer these situations drag on, the more potential there is for disruption in the very final days of the window or for City to decide to sell someone just to get those numbers down, with too many non-homegrown players at the club to be registered in the Champions League squad.
Then there are the potential departures for which replacements will be needed. Ederson leaving remains a possibility, and if he does, then City will move for Gianluigi Donnarumma, but how long can that go on before a decision is required?
The same is true with Tottenham's interest in Savinho. Talks over a potential deal could resume after this weekend's game between the two teams, but the Blues will need time to firm up their own interest in Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.
It all adds to the sense that this is likely to be the most demanding and draining final week of a summer transfer window for a long time at City, and it will begin with far more questions than answers.
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