Pep Guardiola's first job after transfer window closes could see new roles for four Man City players

Pep Guardiola cannot rule out any new additions at Manchester City this week, but any first team signings are unlikely before Friday's transfer deadline.

He wants more cover for Erling Haaland, who cannot play every game, but has lost Julian Alvarez and Oscar Bobb is injured until the new year. That will stretch his resources, although new signing Savinho, returning Ilkay Gundogan and James McAtee will help.

Some could leave City, too. Joao Cancelo has the option to leave permanently for Al Hilal, while Issa Kabore is generating interest in the Premier League and across Europe. Aside from those two players - and some youngsters who could leave on loan - Guardiola looks set to continue with the squad he has assembled to date.

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With Savinho and Gundogan the main additions, and Alvarez the highest-profile departure, Guardiola will negotiate the latest title defence with the majority of the squad who won the league last year. But with Gundogan's return, there is a potential conflict given he is no longer captain - not that he is the type to cause any sort of friction.

Kyle Walker pipped Kevin De Bruyne to earn the armband last summer to replace Gundogan, with Bernardo Silva joining the five-man captain's group. Rodri and Ruben Dias also moved up the hierarchy in Gundogan's absence.

In theory, Gundogan has gone from treble-winning captain to at least sixth-choice for the armband. John Stones also skippered on occasion last season with others out or substituted off, while Ederson and Erling Haaland shared captaincy duties over