Manchester City have been banned from the Champions League for two seasons.
UPDATED: : , Tue, Feb 20, 11095
It has been speculated that City may lose some of their star players after being banned from European football for the next two seasons pending an appeal.
However, Merson suggested this may not be the case with the Reds set to steal their crown this season “The way Liverpool have outplayed them this season, I think the players will want to stay to put it straight,” he told (Sky Sports.)
“Their mentality should be that after what Liverpool have done, they need to win the Premier League next season.
Pep Guardiola has pledged his future to Manchester City. (Image: Getty) “If City had achieved what Liverpool have this year, I wouldn’t see a player being there next year. They’d have won the league again, and the feeling would then be that winning the Champions League is all that’s left. “
Merson offered a glimmer of hope to City fans that they can keep their key players but was doubtful that the ban will be overturned.
“I don’t know if they’re going to get away with it – I’m not sure if that ban is going to get overturned,” Merson said. City boss Pep Guardiola has vowed to remain at the club despite their Champions League ban and told his players of his intention to remain at the Etihad at training yesterday.
“Pep has won everywhere he has been – apart from in Italy. Even when he played with Brescia he did not win a lot, “Del Pierro said.
“In Italy we are following what is happening at City because there are already rumors saying that the coach and many players will leave the club. “When that kind of quality comes onto the market then the whole of football is thinking that they can steal something.”
however, Guardiola’s pledge to stay with City has poured cold water on a potential deal.
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