The players who could STAY at relegated Man City

Analysis

Defending Premier League champions Man City are in danger of relegation.

Stefan Borson, a former Man City financial advisor, has said that he believes there will be a verdict in their legal battle with the Premier League during the international break.

"It would make a lot of sense, wouldn’t it?" said Borson during a talkSPORT interview.

READ MORE: How much have Man City spent on transfers under Sheikh Mansour?

Man City are charged with many things, chief among them being false accounting (faking their sponsorship revenue, for instance) as regards operating costs, which has a big impact on the club's compliance with PSR and FFP rules.

If found guilty, Man City could be relegated. This would be a seismic event in the history of the Premier League and change the face of English football for years to come.

But, in the immediate term, what would happen to Man City's star studded squad? Which of their players would leave, and who would stay? FootballTransfers has had a look and decided who would stay and who would go.

Ruben Dias: LEAVE

Ruben Dias is a world-class centre-back in the prime of his career, there's no chance he doesn't have an army of clubs waiting to sign him.

John Stones: STAY

Stones' contract is one year out from renewal. What better way to say your goodbye to the club you've won it all with than getting them promoted back to the Premier League?

Nathan Ake: LEAVE

There's a World Cup coming and Nathan Ake will want to stay at the top level to remain competitive in the Dutch squad.

Omar Marmoush: STAY

Marmoush just signed for Man City for a massive fee. No chance he goes anywhere.

Mateo Kovacic: LEAVE

The Championship would make Mateo Kovacic look like a world-beater, but it's likely he'd seek out a transfer to stay competitive at the highest level.

READ MORE: Chelsea pay ‘millions’ NOT to sign Jadon Sancho

Erling Haaland: LEAVE

Erling Haaland may have grown up a Man City fan but there is a less than zero chance that the greatest goalscorer in the world sticks around after relegation. You could expect PSG or Barcelona to come calling for the giant Norwegian.

Jack Grealish: STAY

Doesn't Grealish strike you as the kind of player who would love a year dossing in the Championship, travelling all around the country and slicing apart right-backs every week?

Jeremy Doku: LEAVE

Doku will be out for a new challenge.

Nico Gonzalez: STAY

Having just signed for the club, and being eager to learn under Guardiola, there's no chance Nico leaves.

Rodri: STAY

There would no doubt be a massive market for Rodri should the Balon d'Or winner be relegated with Man City. Real Madrid have already shown interest, Barcelona would pipe up, PSG and Bayern too. Basically every club in the world.

But for Rodri himself, having just returned from an ACL injury, he will be a shadow of himself for the next year anyway as he works his way back to something approaching peak sharpness. So what better than to spend that year in a lower tier of football, masking the drop in performance? It worked for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the MLS!

The lowered standard would also allow Rodri to pace himself as he prepares to play the 2026 World Cup, which is the only major trophy he has yet to win in his career.

He could definitely leave, but staying would be the smart play.

Kevin De Bruyne: LEAVE

De Bruyne's physical decline has been evident for the whole season, and it's clear that like Kyle Walker, he needs to move on. Relegation doesn't change that.

Stefan Ortega: STAY

With no international football to stay sharp for nor the greatest reputation to draw the interest of elite opponents, it's likely Ortega would stay.

Ilkay Gundogan: LEAVE

Gundogan only signed on a one year contract and so, with nothing tying him to the now relegated Man City, expect the German to move on.

Bernardo Silva: LEAVE

Bernardo Silva has been trying to leave Man City just about every summer since he joined the club. Photos of him as a child in a Barcelona shirt are a staple of summer transfer windows, but City have always held him to his very lucrative contract.

However, with relegation looming and just one year on his deal, City will want to make a fresh start and Bernardo will finally get his dream of leaving Manchester.

READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold deal is '99% done'

Vitor Reis: STAY

He just got here!

Josko Gvardiol: LEAVE

Josko Gvardiol is a world-class defender at two positions. The market for him would explode as soon as City's relegation would be announced. Real Madrid need a left-back and a centre-back so Gvardiol would be a great fit at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Manuel Akanji: STAY

Akanji isn't going to have a massive market and could end up staying.

Savinho: STAY

The young prodigy will relish a season against Championship defenders, working on producing a consistent final ball.

Matheus Nunes: STAY

No one will come for him and playing in the Championship would do wonders for his reputation.

Claudio Echeverri: STAY

The youngster will enjoy the increased gametime from a smaller squad.

Ederson: LEAVE

In truth, Ederson should have left last summer. He will 100% be gone if they get relegated.

Scott Carson: STAY

Why not? He may even start!

Abdukodir Khusanov: STAY

Khusanov just arrived at City and will make use of the season to settle in England.

Phil Foden: STAY

There will never be a better chance for Foden to take control of Man City and make the team his own. He's City through and through and won't abandon them.

Oscar Bobb: STAY

Bobb will, like Rodri, be working his way back to full fitness and a season in the Championship will help him do that.

Rico Lewis: STAY

Lewis will be one of the posterboys of a new-look City side that will, for one season at least, be built around the graduates of their youth academy.

James McAtee: STAY

McAtee has flashed signs of great potential, this season would be his best chance to show Pep Guardiola what he's capable of.