Why Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji are not in Man City squad vs Tottenham as transfer picture emerges

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Manchester City have left two stars out of their squad for their first home Premier League game of the season

11:37, 23 Aug 2025Updated 11:38, 23 Aug 2025

Manu Akanji in the Club World Cup
Manu Akanji in the Club World Cup

Manu Akanji and Ilkay Gundogan were left out of the Manchester City squad against Tottenham to raise doubts over their futures at the club.

In what was described as a 'tactical' decision, Pep Guardiola left the pair out as Rodri and Phil Foden returned to the squad.

Guardiola has been clear since the summer that he wanted a smaller squad and that players would have to leave to make that happen. He said in June that while it was great that everybody wanted to remain at the club, they may feel differently when they were sat at home on a matchday.

Akanji and Gundogan have suffered that fate for Spurs, with the two experienced players dropped from the squad that travelled to Wolves after not coming off the bench at Molineux.

Guardiola's decision will raise further questions about their futures at the club with the end of the transfer window approaching. Galatasaray are keen on Akanji and the interest was not immediately dismissed this week by those close to the player.

Gundogan triggered a contract extension last season with the amount of game time he managed for City and has said this summer that he would like to stay at the club, but could see his minutes limited by new arrival Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders; both start against Tottenham with Foden back in the squad as well.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.

The last week has seen reports suggesting Gundogan could also leave City this month, with the Blues having too many non-homegrown players to register in their Champions League squad.

Ederson is back in the squad amid strong interest from Galatasaray but has to settle for a place on the bench. James Trafford keeps his place in the team after an assured debut at Wolves, amid uncertainty from Guardiola over whether Ederson will still be at the Etihad come the end of the transfer window.

Both teams on Saturday are looking to start the season with consecutive wins, City having beaten Wolves 4-0 on the opening day and Spurs comfortably winning 3-0 against Burnley.

Man City's 2025/26 Third Shirt

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Man City have launched their new third shirt for the 2025/26 season.

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