Man City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that he would have been happy for all of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling to stay at the club, if it wasn’t for the players’ desires to leave for Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.
Pep Guardiola said: “No [the outgoings weren’t guaranteed] because I was incredibly happy with Gabriel, Oleks and Raheem. If they stayed longer there would be no problem. They proved last year how good they are. But sometimes the players want more, and the club feel it is the right moment to do it. But the most important thing is they leave happy with the club and what they have done. Normally when you talk about transfers in Spain, Germany, England it is 10% more. It happens and we know it. It happens because they are really good. They are the best ages and their best years are maybe coming now. That’s why they have a value in the market. Chelsea and Arsenal have paid the money that is fair. And the discussions were perfect, Txiki [Begiristain] told me. Good for both sides and really friendly.”
Guardiola then went to add on each of the three players
Pep Guardiola added: “This summer we have bought some exceptional people. And the rest we know each other. And we are sad because Raheem, Gabriel and Oleks were incredibly beloved. Since I arrived in Manchester, the chemistry has been incredible. It makes things good for me.”
