Some Uncertain Futures Remain as the Transfer Window Closes on Thursday

Manchester City have had a relatively quiet transfer window. Their biggest signing came through Leicester City as Algerian Riyad Mahrez joined their ranks. Claudio Gomes of Paris Saint-Germain also joined City on their preseason tour, albeit he is likely to train with the youth team this season.

The Blues also saw some of their young prospects depart as Pablo Maffeo joined German side VfB Stuttgart, Angeliño departed for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and Angus Gunn was acquired by Southampton. Moreover, City lost two cult heroes as Yaya Touré’s contract expired and Joe Hart joined Burnley.

Despite this lack of activity, two days remain in the 2018 Summer Transfer Window. Prior to this season, players had an opportunity to impress their managers during the first few games of the new season, as the window would close at the end of August. A change in regulations, however, will now see the transfer window close prior to the start of the upcoming season.

As a result, players had less time to showcase their worth to their managers this summer. Unfortunately, this has put some athletes in a difficult predicament.

For example, Jason Denayer and Patrick Roberts have been with the club since 2014 and 2015, respectively, yet neither broke into the first team. Both players have spent most of their City career away on loan, and with time running out, they will be desperate to force a move away from the Etihad.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Brahim Díaz find themselves in a similar situation, albeit they have had better fortune than their aforementioned teammates. After an unsuccessful loan spell at PSV Eindhoven and an unexpected injury to teammate Benjamin Mendy, Zinchenko found himself as a viable option at left back. The Ukrainian impressed in this position, as he is a midfielder by trade, and he played a critical role in his club’s campaign for the English Premier League and EFL Cup trophies. Díaz also played an important role in both competitions.

Despite their contributions, however, it seems they will miss out on an opportunity to play with the first team. A rejuvenated Mendy and a second-choice Fabian Delph will mean that Zinchenko will have to scrap for minutes. In Díaz’s case, the acquisition of Mahrez and the likely promotion of Phil Foden will mean that the Spaniard will also be pressed for game time.

Therefore, with two days left in the transfer window, these four players will have to make difficult decisions in a limited amount of time. Do they stay with their parent club, where they will have limited game time this season? Or do they force a move to another club, knowing their future in Manchester could be over?

Whatever the case may be, an interesting time will be in store. After all, the deadline day of the transfer window is renowned for late drama.