Man City transfer decisions show two clear ambitions for the future

Say what you like about Manchester City, but they definitely don't lack ambition.

From signing the best players in the world, to attracting the best manager in the world, and attacking every competition they enter like it's the most important, City have become a relentless winning machine in recent years.

But when you've reached such a high level, how can you maintain that or get even better? Pep Guardiola often addresses that issue when speaking to the media, insisting that his side can always improve, so that perhaps explains why the Blues have signed three new players and let three go.

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Having lost their club captain, number seven, number nine and number eleven, City have taken a risk by allowing such key players to depart this summer. Three have joined Premier League rivals while Fernandinho has returned to Brazil. While there are good arguments to allow each player to leave, their collective departure could have a bigger impact than any one player on his own.

But those departures, plus the impressive academy sales taking City's incoming funds to over £200m, also show ambition, as they have allowed the Blues to sign Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips.

Haaland will transform City's attack, while Alvarez could be a secret weapon and has already shown his value running through the middle. Phillips, when up to speed, will offer a new option in midfield and cover for Rodri.

The changes have been made to keep City's squad motivated and refreshed, but also to provide the missing piece of the jigsaw when it comes to winning the Champions League. Players and staff are calm about success in Europe, insisting it will come and