There is still a healthy chunk of the season to go but Manchester City will soon have to cast eyes towards the future.
City aren't quite as comfortable as they would like to be so far this season. Though Erling Haaland has made a massive impact since his arrival, the high standard has dipped in recent weeks culminating in the 2-1 defeat by Brentford in the final match before the World Cup.
Pep Guardiola's side still haven't managed to move into top spot in the Premier League with Arsenal proving stiff competition and there may also be worried glances cast back to Newcastle United who are only two points behind. The Blues will be fighting on four fronts when domestic football returns but that doesn't mean plans can't begin to be formulated for the summer.
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Jude Bellingham is the name on everybody's lips as the midfield prodigy could be the next big-money exit from Borussia Dortmund and City may well be among the clubs in the hunt. But there could also be departures from the Etihad with several players currently set to see their contracts expire in the summer.
Ilkay Gundogan
City's newly appointed captain could have a swift stint with the armband as Ilkay Gundogan is the biggest name whose contract is due to expire in 2023. The midfielder has remained a key figure in the side this season, featuring in all but two fixtures, with two goals and two assists to his name.
Gundogan remained coy about his future when his last contract was due to expire in 2019 before a new one was signed and that is the case this time around as well. There was strong speculation the German would leave the club last year but he cleared those doubts up when he revealed he would be seeing out his deal.
When asked about his future recently, Gundogan said: "I'm quite calm, confident with my situation and happy where I am. I don't feel there is a decision to take right now. It's quite normal to have rumours when you're in this situation.
"Also, the manager's contract is expiring in the summer, too, so I don't really know what's going to happen with him - no-one really knows. If you look back to my career then you will see everywhere I was, it was because of the manager that was there."
So it sounds his decision may depend on what Guardiola decides, while any midfield recruits the Blues make could also have an impact.
Scott Carson
Reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson has been at City since 2021 and although he rarely features he has had a big impact in the changing room, which earned him a one-year extension last summer. It was only a one-year deal, though, so the veteran's future will once again be up in the air at the end of the season.
Guardiola has heaped praise on Carson in the past, saying earlier this year: “The best advice I could give to the young players is to stay around Scott Carson as much as possible in the locker room and on the pitch,” he said at his pre-match press conference ahead of City’s trip to Crystal Palace.
“It would be better than being with me. If they spend a lot of time [with him], listen to him and pay attention, that is the best advice and learning they can get about their future careers. Every second he is training and every minute you get on the pitch and in the changing room [with Carson], you value. It’s like the young actors have to be with the old actors on the set. They are wiser and have the values of the profession.”
With that sort of impact, it'd be no surprise to see him stick around even longer.
Benjamin Mendy
Benjamin Mendy has been suspended by City since August 2021. He is currently on trial at Chester Crown Court accused of eight counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault. He denies all charges. His contract is set to expire in 2023.
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