Arsenal legend Wenger warns Man City how many players they ‘need to change’ to preserve treble glory
Manchester City may be jubilant at present after winning the treble, but won’t be able to rest on their laurels too long, according to Arsene Wenger.
Man City added the Champions League trophy to their cabinet over the weekend after also lifting the Premier League and FA Cup this season. Quite simply, it has been a phenomenal campaign for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Despite them winning the Premier League for three seasons in a row now, they will have to work hard to preserve their position of dominance.
Arsenal pushed them close for the league title this season, while the Champions League final against Inter was not as straightforward as some may have expected it to be.
There could be some key changes to the Man City playing squad over the summer. The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Bernardo Silva are facing uncertain futures.
And according to legendary former Arsenal manager Wenger, the treble winners do need to regenerate their squad at the earliest opportunity.
Wenger told beIN Sports: “I must say, I was thinking as well at the celebrations: What do you now at City? Do you go for a new challenge? Motivate yourself for a new challenge?
“Or do you stay, take advantage of the credit and continue to develop this team? They will lose maybe important players. This team is not an old team but there are no young players.
“Apart from [Erling] Haaland, who is 22 now, all the others are between 24 and 32 years old. So two or three new players will need to change. They have to find the same quality again.”
Guardiola makes difference despite massive Man City spending
Reports have indicated that Man City will have a significant transfer budget this summer to make the most of their earnings from winning the treble.
Their prize money comes towards £300m, while the chance to cash in on players like Mahrez, Laporte and Silva (Gundogan is out of contract so would be leaving on a free) could give them further flexibility in the transfer market.
Yet despite all the money Man City have spent to strengthen Guardiola’s squad, the coach still deserves major credit, according to Wenger.
The 73-year-old, after pointing to their ‘intelligent, rational and consistent’ use of their ‘huge financial resources’, added: “I don’t think about it like that. Guardiola is a top-class coach and has survived at that level because he has the quality.
“Top-class players without a top-class coach will not do well – you need both of them.”
