To make matters worse, a number of talented players Manchester City sold are now some of the top performers in the Premier League and across Europe, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers the obvious names alongside Jadon Sancho – the trio need little coverage.

Manchester City offloaded an entire XI of talent

Of course, when you have the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane doing the business on a weekly basis, a bit of arrogance and complacency will understandably set in when it comes to recruitment.

Now – looking back – Manchester City actually discarded an entire XI of talented footballers who would arguably be starting under Guardiola right now, or at least playing key roles within the squad.

As you can see, the aforementioned Sancho, Palmer and Rogers unsurprisingly make this XI – whose impressive efforts away from Manchester have been well documented – but let’s take a look at some others who are starring after leaving the Etihad Stadium.

For what it’s worth, James Trafford is in between the sticks for the sake of having a goalkeeper in the XI – despite the fact we think his £20m sale to Burnley was actually good business from the Citizens.

Romeo Lavia

The Belgium international joined the City Football Academy from Anderlecht back in 2020, but never made a competitive appearance for the Citizens before being sold to Southampton for just £10m.

Now – after a £58m switch to Chelsea – Romeo Lavia has helped the Blues sit second in the Premier League, seven points ahead of Manchester City.

Jamie Gittens

Borussia Dortmund signed Jamie Gittens for a mere £90,000 compensation fee from the City Football Academy back in 2022.

The 20-year-old has since become a superstar with the German giants, scoring four goals in six UEFA Champions League appearances so far this season.

Liam Delap

Manchester City sold Liam Delap to Ipswich back in June for a sum of £20m.

As Erling Haaland struggles to perform – making under ten passes in 14 of his last 16 outings – the Ipswich No.19 is doing a great job, scoring six Premier League goals so far this season while linking play impressively.

Delap – who Chelsea want to sign – surely would have been capable of pushing Haaland for a spot this season.

Jeremie Frimpong

Manchester City let Jeremie Frimpong leave for just £300,000 back in 2019 when Celtic came calling.

The Netherlands international has since become a superstar with Bayer Leverkusen, scoring two goals and providing eight assists so far this season after becoming one of the best right-backs in Europe.

TBR Football understand Manchester City actually want Frimpong back – with Kyle Walker free to leave.

Tosin Adarabioyo

Now at Chelsea, Tosin Adarabioyo was another talent Manchester City offloaded for peanuts, sanctioning a £2m sale to Fulham back in 2020.

As Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and John Stones struggle with injuries this season, the Chelsea No.4 would have been good to still have around for Guardiola.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Like Tosin, Taylor Harwood-Bellis would have been a useful man to have around right now.

However, the central defender was sold to Southampton for £20m last summer, and while the Saints are rooted to the foot of the Premier League, the City Football Academy graduate has performed well, earning an England debut in November.

Pedro Porro

Tottenham No.24 Pedro Porro was another talent Manchester City gave up on.

The Spain international was sold to Sporting CP for just £7.2m before eventually sealing a £39m move to Spurs in January 2023.

Real Madrid now want Porro – to emphasise just how highly he has risen.

Brahim Diaz

Brahim Diaz is another talent who once resided in the City Football Academy.

However, the Morocco international was sold to Real Madrid for £15.5m back in January 2019.

Arsenal are looking at Diaz nowadays after he rose to stardom at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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