6 Manchester City Stars Who Stay or Go if Relegated

When the biggest case of sanctions in British football history is put on your doorstep then its inevitable big punishments are going to be given. We don't know yet if Manchester City will be given a slap on the wrist, a points deduction or full blown relegation for their 114 guilty charges yet. But it could mean that some big players will be out the door by the end of the season.

Erling Haaland is the biggest name whose future is the subject of immense speculation amid uncertainty over City's future in top-flight football. The question for him and most of their stars will be: 'Should I stay or should I go?'

Erling Haaland- Go

This might be the trickiest one to decide on when it comes to players to motive. You can tell Erling Haaland loves the club and has that connection through his dad but he might want to break all the top records at the highest level. The chance of missing out on Champions League nights might be too much depending on how long it might take to rebuild at the Etihad.

His agent has always ensured his contracts contain escape routes, and a relegation would instantly trigger a massive bidding war between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. He simply needs elite European football too much to stick around.

Phil Foden- Stay

When your homegrown and a boyhood fan of the club your more likely to put up with a rebuild phase. Phil Foden will probably embrace the challenge and see it as a legacy defining part of his career.

Staying to drag Manchester City back to the pinnacle of English football would elevate him from a modern great to the undisputed ultimate legend in the club's history. He is the one superstar who would almost certainly put the badge before his career trajectory.

Enzo Fernandes- Stay

It might sound optimistic to say the most expensive midfielder in the world would play in the Championship but when you look further it could be likely. The Argentine midfielder pushed for the move specifically to reunite with his former boss, Enzo Maresca. 

Given the massive fee, his massive new five-year contract, and his status as the absolute centerpiece of City's £440 million summer midfield rebuild, a swift exit would be incredibly difficult to make. Out of loyalty to Maresca Fernández is one of the few global superstars who would likely jump ship straight away.

Joško Gvardiol - Go

A versatile fullback and centre back will be in high demand by Europe's elite so the Croatian might be gone quick. Josko Gvardiol is far too valuable to spend a year outside of the top flight.

At his age and with his current trajectory, a relegation would force his hand, as Europe's traditional powerhouses would immediately line up to offer him the Champions League football his talent demands.

Gianluigi Donnaruma- Go

The Italian shot stopper already has a past of forcing himself out of clubs so a relegation could be the end of his time in Manchester. Gianluigi Donnarumma did not leave Paris to spend his peak years fighting in the English second tier.

As the undisputed number one for the Italian national team, dropping into the Championship would severely threaten his international status. Europe's elite clubs would immediately swarm for a cut-price deal, he would be on the first flight out.

Rayan Cherki- Stay

This could be the modern era Adel Taraabt story in reverse if Rayan Cherki decides to create a championship highlight reel. You can tell the Frenchman just loves to entertain so game time and the ability to get his statistics up will excite him more than anything.

FACT: Rayan Cherki was set to suffer relegation with Lyon due to financial issues when joining Man City

His market value may have doubled since he signed but he's still young so one year out won't be too much of a big deal. The only problem would be if it could jeopardise his place in the France squad if it comes tournament time.