Pep Guardiola has been warned that Manchester City might lose Phil Foden and Jack Grealish if their punishment for 'behaviour' issues was over the top.
Having both scored during the 7-0 demolition against Leeds United, the England internationals were omitted from City's line-up for the following game vs Newcastle United.
Their manager addressed that eye-catching decision amid Foden and Grealish being pictured on a night out.
City return to Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day and there will be plenty of attention on Guardiola's selection - while the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach might have to deal with consequences further down the line if either (or both) player thought it was unjustified.
Speaking on talkSPORT, host Alan Brazil said: "I know it's not going to happen, but what if Phil Foden and Jack Grealish said; 'Okay, fine, we don't think we've done too much wrong, we're off'.
"The point I'm making is we don't know how bad it was, or if it was much about nothing, but what I do know is that they are two great young players and it would be a blow if City are to lose them."
Asked why they would want to leave, he said: "There's a lot of things that happen in football I don't understand.
"Suddenly they want to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Do you agree with Brazil's claim? Have your say in the comments section below.
"Barcelona and their pedigree is way, way, way above Manchester City, so what about that?"
Fellow presenter and ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour said: "They are a bigger club, but where do you have more chance of winning trophies?"
We've teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to vote for their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Vote for the match that mattered to you here .
