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With Manchester City in danger of not even qualifying for the Champions League next season, it is clear that Pep Guardiola will have a big job on his hands to revitalise the floundering club.
However, as Chief Sports Writer Ian Herbert reports in this morning's Independent , the Pep revolution will not see dozens of players arrive and a dozen players leave the Etihad.
In fact, only four, perhaps five, players are expected to be bought this summer - although they are likely to be the kind of big-money, marquee signings that will freshen up a stale dressing room.
Guardiola, as he has done at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, will also be expected to bring through a number of youth stars who have his complete trust.
Manchester City have one of the best, and most expensive, academies in the country and want that investment to start bearing fruit sooner rather than later.
The arrival of one of the best coaches is expected to lift a squad stuck in the doldrums, but new faces are completely necessary.
Here are 10 players, from outside and inside the club, that could change Manchester City next season:
Show all 8 1 /88 players who could change Manchester City next season 8 players who could change Manchester City next season NEW SIGNINGS: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) Age: 26
approx. value: £45m
A Pep Guardiola favourite, there is a feeling the German playmaker is not the indispensable force he was last season for Los Blancos and that Real could be willing to sell if a team made the right offer. Real Madrid appear to be heading towards a clear out in the summer after a barren spell that has seen Barcelona continue to dominate. Would provide the type of deep-lying creative hub that every Guardiola team (Xavi, Xabi Alonso) has and that City's midfield is definitely missing.
2016 Getty Images
8 players who could change Manchester City next season John Stones (Everton) Age: 21
approx. value: £40m
The hype of clearly went to the head of the talented centre-back. Chelsea made a £50m bid for Stones but after a difficult winter Stones has barely featured for the Toffees lately, starting just one Premier League game since January. Some of that has been because of injury but he's not been able to displace either Phil Jagielka or Rodrigo Funes Mori from the starting XI. There's a feeling among his critics that while Stones is eye-pleasing and able to bring the ball forward, he's not actually that solid a defender.
2016 Getty Images
8 players who could change Manchester City next season Ross Barkley (Everton) Age: 22
approx. value: £50m
When at his best, there are few players of the same age that can match Barkley's talents. Strong and quick, with an excellent pass and shot, the England international has eight goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season. But for all his talents, Barkley does have a penchant for being greedy and despite the plaudits Everton are only 12th in the Premier League. Needs to add consistency to a game that can swing from sublime to anonymous.
2016 Getty Images
8 players who could change Manchester City next season Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao) Age: 21
approx. value: £37m
The young centre-back, a regular for France's under-21s, is not the biggest at 6ft 2in or quickest, but more than makes up for it with a superior understanding of the game and an unmatched desire. He is brilliant in the air and the left-footed centre-back is also extremely comfortable at left-back and brilliant on the ball, with a long range of passing. Already on the radars of rivals Manchester United and Barcelona, Laporte is one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe.
2016 Getty Images
8 players who could change Manchester City next season YOUTH PLAYERS: Jason Denayer Age: 20
Nationality: Belgian
The youngster enjoyed a super season at Celtic in 2014-15, winning the Young Player of the Year award after helping the Bhoys win the Scottish title. This year he made the step up to the Turkish league and although he has not exactly been a regular for an unusually poor Gala team, he has gained experience in the Champions League and Europa League. Seen as a future replacement for Vincent Kompany, Denayer is already a full international with Belgium.
8 players who could change Manchester City next season Aleix Garcia Age: 18
Nationality: Spanish
Manuel Pellegrini is a fan, having named him on the bench already a couple of times this season for Premier League matches, although he was an unused substitute in the losses to Leicester and Spurs. Mostly a central midfielder, Garcia is extremely comfortable in possession and a good passer.
2016 Getty Images
8 players who could change Manchester City next season Tosin Adarabioyo Age: 18
Nationality: English
The Manchester-born defender is already a physically imposing centre-back, standing at 6ft 5in, and doesn't mind opening his legs and carrying the ball out of defence. City have had to cycle through a number of terrible defenders in recent years, but appear to have two in their youth ranks who could make the step up.
8 players who could change Manchester City next season ONE FOR THE FUTURE: Brahim Diaz Age: 16
Nationality: Spanish
Whisper it quietly but the tiny left-footed forward has those in the know at Manchester City very excited and drawing (unfair) comparisons to Lionel Messi. It's easy to see why. He has a low centre of gravity, supreme dribbling skills and is calm in front of goal. Expect him to see first-team action as early as next season
2016 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
What do you think of the 10 we selected? Let us know in the comments section
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