Manchester City face Aston Villa looking to turn around their terrible form and could soon look for help in the January transfer market with their Premier League charges looming over them
Pep Guardiola has admitted he is uncertain whether the wait for a verdict over the 130 charges Manchester City face will impact the club’s ability in the transfer market, but revealed a decision could come in February.
The reigning champions face allegations of breaching the Premier League ’s Financial Fair Play rules. An independent commission launched a hearing in September and that was expected to last between 10-12 weeks.
A panel is now considering its verdict after final arguments were heard at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre earlier this month. A decision is expected to come in 2025.
Amidst that backdrop the Citizens are suffering from their worst ever Premier League form under Guardiola. They sit fifth having lost eight of their last 11 games.
With Rodri potentially absent for the rest of the season and a spate of defensive injuries, City have been pondering delving into the transfer market. With uncertainty over the severity of punishment they could yet receive, it could impact the thinking of any player interested in a move.
“I don’t know,” said Guardiola when asked if the charges could impact the club’s business. “It’s going to happen in winter time. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know the people are expecting that but I don’t know. In February, March, [maybe] will be the sentence.”
Speaking ahead of facing Aston Villa, Guardiola suggested he retains confidence in his squad, and any decision to complete transfers will come from the club. Instead he simply wants his injured players back to full fitness.
“What I want is my players back. I have the same feeling that the squad is really good, it’s not about good or bad players but I want the players back,” Guardiola said on Friday.
“What happens in winter [in the January transfer window] or the end of the season, the club will decide what is best for the team.
“I try to be honest about the feelings of my teams. We fell down six times [number of Premier League games without a win], we have to stand up seven. There is no alternative.
“I’m fine. I’m a normal person with feelings like all of us. When the situation is going well we are better but it’s normal. I would not go to the press conference if we were 1-0 up and expressing something that I didn’t feel.”
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