Pep Guardiola sent warning over Man City summer transfer activity

Wayne Bridge believes Manchester City and Pep Guardiola face a potential challenge this summer when it comes to replacing players who have left the club and getting replacements to settle.

Treble winners City have made only one signing so far this summer in the form of Mateo Kovacic. The central midfielder has joined from fellow Premier League club Chelsea for an initial £25m fee, while City are in talks with RB Leipzig over defender Josko Gvardiol.

But so far, there have been more outgoings from the Etihad Stadium than arrivals. The most notable departures have been captain Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona on a free upon the expiry of his City deal, while winger Riyad Mahrez and completed a £30m move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

Other younger players in the City squad have departed as City are currently in profit in terms of their net spend so far this summer. Shea Charles has moved to Southampton, while goalkeeper James Trafford has headed to Burnley.

Former City defender Bridge believes Guardiola’s side will be as motivated as ever as they look to defend the three trophies they won in an historic achievement last season. But he raised questions over the uncertainty of needing to replace those who have departed this summer and that new players could need time to settle before they reach their potential at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Bridge said: “You’ll always have the motivation because you always hate losing. You lose the first game and you want to go out there and win again, so you’ll always have that motivation.

“But one or two players going, sometimes it affects the players that are already there and thinking ‘can I fill his shoes’. Then it’s who do you bring in, they might look like the right players, they take time to settle.”