Manchester City has crashed from the World Cup Club and the attention now turns to their overhaul of the team and great decisions that increase on the transfer market.
Their 4-3 extra-time defeat against Al Hilal marks a low point for Pep Guardiola and follows a year full of setbacks in domestic and European competitions. The club World Cup was seen as an opportunity to reset and add another trophy, but instead it has checked the control of the team and its future intensified.
Guardiola is often accused of causing problems, but City had already done most of their transfer activities before he went to the United States.
Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki were signed with the intention of becoming regular starters. The idea was to go inside, go deep into the tournament and then prepare themselves for 2025-26.
That plan is derailed by Al Hilal, and although another tent signing cannot be excluded in response, it is not a priority. Sources indicate that the only area under active recruitment is right back – with Tino Livramento their primary target.
The focus outside is who will leave the club in the coming weeks.
The city is expected to streamline the team this summer. Guardiola does not want a bloated dressing room and various players are seriously considered before departure.
Among those are Jack Grealish, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Kalvin Phillips, Kyle Walker and James Mcatee.
There is also speculation around goalkeeper Niererson, who had a disappointing show in the Al Hilal defeat. He is admired by clubs in Saudi Arabia, but City has publicly suggested that he will remain.
Grealish is the most controversial and his departure is almost certain. Interest from abroad is growing and the player has been told that he must be involved at a high level every week if he wants to push himself back into the English team. He would tend to a stay in England if the right move was offered.
A loan movement is currently considered more feasible than a permanent sale, due to the financial complexity around each deal. Grealishe costs £ 100 million and is at £ 350,000 a week. Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham have shown interest, while Napoli and AC Milan have made contact with Series A.
Defender Stones attracts the attention of former club Everton and Brighton also keeps an eye on his situation. It is expected that conversations with the player will soon determine his preference about how they will continue.
Gundogan, who was signed again last summer, made inquiries. Although he was originally expected to play a small, impactful role last season, he was eventually used often due to injury problems in the side. City has long considered offering him a non-playing role when he is retiring, but for now, options in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey land.
Midfielder Phillips has since become a forgotten man and is expected to be moved. He was recently undergone surgery, but a transfer before the window closes remains the goal.
McATEE is also ready to leave. The talented young person is interested in five Bundesliga clubs, where Bayer Leverkusen is interested in the long term that has always been interesting for him. There is also interest in England.
The role of Phil Foden remains delicate, but he is too iconic to qualify for transfer. After a difficult season there are doubts about Guardiola's confidence in him, but the player strives to recover an important starting role next season.
Elsewhere, veteran defender Walker will leave, with Everton in contact, and Kevin De Bruyne has already signed for Napoli.
It is a big summer of change, since the city switches to a new era. Now it's all about making sure they are ready for the start of the Premier League season in August.