Senior Manchester City players will be holding talks with agents about their options amid the club's dramatic dip in form and the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing 115 charges hearing, according to former Premier League star Joe Cole.
City's season hit a new low on Wednesday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Juventus away from home in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola's side dominated possession against the Italians but managed just three shots on target, with Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie securing a vital win for the hosts.
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The defeat leaves City in 22nd place in the league phase table and at real risk of failing to reach the next round, with only two games remaining.
They can no longer secure a top eight place and will need to beat PSG and Club Brugge in their remaining games to be secure of a spot in the play-off round.
City have now won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions, a stunning dip in form from the defending Premier League champions – who have won six of the last seven league titles.
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It comes amid the backdrop of the City's ongoing 115 Premier League charges hearing, with the Premier League club accused of breaching various rules including strict financial regulations. City strenuously deny all charges against them, with a final outcome to the hearing expected in February.
Few details have been leaked from the hearing and there remains uncertainty over whether City are likely to emerge victorious, and what punishments they could face if they don't.
Fines, points deductions and even expulsion from the Premier League have been touted as potential punishments, and former Liverpool and Chelsea star Cole believes City players will be consulting their agents to discuss their options.
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"We don't know what's happening with the financial situation," Cole told TNT Sports.
"When the sanctions came and everyone thought, 'What's going to happen?' [It was still] business as usual on the pitch.
"But players are human and they'll be wondering what's happening. They'll be talking to their agents and hearing rumours.
"They'll be hearing the manager's got a year left on his contract [which was recently extended until 2027], 'I've got three years left on my contract, what's the situation?'"
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City next face bitter rivals Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday and could be 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool by the time it kicks off, if the Reds beat Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, FFP, Football
Rory O'Callaghan