Manchester City signed him in 2014, he was a better Midfielder than Kelvin De Bruyne but Pep Guardiola chased him out saying he’s too old for his project- Chelsea Legend John Terry says midfielder Man City signed in 2014 was even better than Kevin De Bruyne. Yeah but Pep Guardiola sold him because he needs fresh blood at the club.

It was supposed to be a calm summer at the Etihad Stadium, but instead, the air around Manchester City feels heavy, tense, and full of mystery. Pep Guardiola, the master of perfection, the man who built one of the greatest teams football has ever seen, has dropped a bombshell that has left fans speechless. Reports from inside the club reveal that Guardiola has told **six Manchester City players** — described as “flops” by insiders — to pack their bags and leave the club before the new season begins. Six names, six stories, six dreams now standing at the edge of heartbreak. And at the same time, another storm brews online, as Chelsea legend **John Terry** reignited a football debate that hit right at the core of Manchester City’s heart: *“Frank Lampard was better than Kevin De Bruyne.”*

The football world froze for a moment when that quote dropped. Fans couldn’t believe what they were reading. John Terry, one of the most respected defenders in English football, didn’t hesitate when asked by GOAL to choose between the two midfield giants — the unstoppable De Bruyne and the legendary Lampard. Terry simply said, “Still Lamps for me.” It was short, bold, and powerful. And it immediately sent the football internet into chaos.

But for Guardiola, the chaos was different. His focus was not on debates or comparisons. It was on control, dominance, and evolution. He doesn’t like comfort zones, he doesn’t like sentiment. In his eyes, football is not about who *was* great — it’s about who *will be* great tomorrow. And for six of his players, Guardiola has already decided: they are not part of tomorrow’s story.

Behind the bright lights of City’s success — the trophies, the parades, the chants — there’s a darker side of Guardiola’s empire. Every season, he sharpens the edges, demanding more precision, more hunger, and more discipline. Those who fail to meet his impossible standards are quietly shown the door. This summer, sources from the club suggest that the message was loud and clear: “If you cannot keep up, you are out.”

The list of six players, though not officially confirmed, is believed to include those who failed to make an impact despite the faith Guardiola once showed in them. Some were young players who never broke into the first team. Some were expensive signings who never lived up to the hype. One or two might even be familiar faces — players who once carried big dreams but are now shadows of their past selves. Pep’s decision, however harsh, is part of his pattern. He rebuilds even when he is winning.

It reminds everyone of what happened in the past. Big names like Joe Hart, Yaya Touré, Leroy Sané, and Raheem Sterling — all had to leave when Pep decided it was time. He doesn’t wait for emotions. He moves fast, cuts deep, and keeps the machine running at its best. That’s the Guardiola way. But this time, the timing of his decision has made the story even more emotional because it came right after Manchester City failed to win the Champions League again.

Inside the Etihad dressing room, it’s said the mood changed overnight. Some players walked around in silence. Others couldn’t hide their shock. Guardiola reportedly called a private meeting with his staff, listing out the players who no longer fit into his plan for next season. One of his assistants said later, “When Pep decides, there’s no turning back.” That sentence says everything.

At the same time, while Manchester City was dealing with internal changes, the football world was arguing about John Terry’s comments. Terry, who spent most of his career alongside Frank Lampard at Chelsea, believes Lampard was the most complete English midfielder of his generation. His statement — “Still Lamps for me” — might sound simple, but it carried the weight of a thousand debates. Terry even mentioned names like Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira, and Yaya Touré before choosing Lampard above them all.

But for City fans, the comparison felt like an insult. Kevin De Bruyne isn’t just a midfielder — he’s the heartbeat of Manchester City, the engine behind every magical goal, the mind that sees what others can’t. Since joining City, he has become the standard for creativity in football. His passes split defenses like lightning through clouds, his assists rewrite records, and his consistency is beyond belief. He’s done what few midfielders have done — dominate English football year after year.

Yet, John Terry’s words forced everyone to look back. Frank Lampard was different. He was a goal machine. He didn’t rely on fancy footwork or flashy passes; he relied on power, timing, and instinct. His ability to arrive at the perfect time in the box made him one of the deadliest midfielders ever. For Chelsea fans, he was more than a player — he was an icon, the man who carried them through their rise under Mourinho and beyond.

But the twist in this story is even more poetic. Lampard once wore the Manchester City shirt. It was only for one season, but it left a mark. When he joined City in 2014 after leaving Chelsea, many fans were shocked. Yet, Lampard didn’t disappoint. He scored 11 goals and provided six assists in just one season. Even City fans grew to admire his professionalism and spirit. It was strange, seeing a Chelsea legend in City blue — but it worked.

Now, years later, Lampard’s name is back in Manchester City conversations again, not for what he did on the pitch, but because of Terry’s comparison. For Guardiola, though, this debate doesn’t matter. He respects both players but focuses only on the future. For him, what matters is who will lead City’s next generation — and that’s why the six departures are so significant.

One of the players set to leave is said to be a midfielder who joined with huge expectations but struggled to adapt to Pep’s tactical demands. Another is a winger who never found his rhythm in the Premier League. A young defender, once tipped as the next big thing, has also failed to impress. Pep’s message to them was said to be short and ruthless: “Thank you, but it’s time to go.”

It’s not cruelty. It’s football. In Guardiola’s world, emotions have no place in decision-making. The same philosophy that built Manchester City into a dominant force is the one that breaks players’ hearts every summer.

Fans on social media are reacting with mixed emotions. Some believe Pep is doing the right thing — clearing out those who can’t perform. Others feel he’s becoming too harsh, too robotic. “He builds robots, not players,” one fan wrote. But others defended him fiercely. “That’s why we win,” another replied

Meanwhile, De Bruyne’s name continues to trend. Some fans agree with Terry, saying Lampard’s goals and leadership make him the greater legend. But others argue that De Bruyne’s vision, passing, and tactical intelligence have changed football forever. “Lampard was great,” one City supporter said, “but De Bruyne is a magician. He doesn’t just play football — he paints with his feet.”

In truth, both players belong to different eras and different systems. Lampard played when football was raw, physical, and full of heart. De Bruyne plays in an age of precision, technology, and tactical perfection. Comparing them is like comparing a hammer to a laser — both powerful, but in their own ways.

Yet, the debate keeps the fire of football alive — and that’s what makes the game so beautiful. While John Terry stirs conversation online, Pep Guardiola quietly continues reshaping his squad behind the scenes. For him, sentiment doesn’t win trophies. Strategy does. And his next strategy involves rebuilding City once again — even after winning so much.

The six exits are just the beginning. Insiders believe that Pep is planning a new evolution for City’s midfield — faster, younger, and more aggressive. With De Bruyne approaching the later years of his career, Guardiola knows he must prepare for the future. That’s why this summer is crucial.

Behind closed doors, De Bruyne reportedly had private talks with Pep about his future too. Some rumors suggest that he might consider one last big move abroad before retiring. A huge offer from Saudi Arabia — around £1 million per week — was already on the table earlier this year. De Bruyne turned it down, but the idea hasn’t disappeared.

If that day comes, Pep Guardiola will face another emotional goodbye — one even bigger than any of the six flops leaving this summer. Because Kevin De Bruyne is not just another player. He’s the soul of Guardiola’s Manchester City. Losing him would be like losing oxygen from the system.

As the summer unfolds, one thing is clear: Manchester City are changing again. The Guardiola empire keeps evolving, keeps demanding more, keeps breaking and rebuilding. The six flops leaving will carry their own stories — stories of disappointment, of learning, of what it’s like to live under the world’s toughest manager.

And as for John Terry’s statement, it will live on too — as one of those eternal football debates that never truly ends. Lampard or De Bruyne? The answer depends on what you value most: goals or genius, power or poetry, heart or mind.

But one thing is certain — both names, Lampard and De Bruyne, belong in football’s hall of immortals. And as Pep Guardiola continues his ruthless rebuilding at Manchester City, he might just be searching for the next one. The next Lampard. The next De Bruyne. The next magician to carry his dream forward.

Because for Pep, it never ends. The story of Manchester City isn’t about what they’ve won — it’s about what they’re about to become again.