Transfer news: Manuel Pellegrini has no plans of selling Manchester City duo Edin Dzeko and Jack Rodwell in January
Both are finding regular first team action difficult to come by but the Chilean manager claims he needs the entire to squad to mount a successful Premier League title bid
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed the possibility of Edin Dzeko or Jack Rodwell leaving the club in the next month.
Striker Dzeko has found himself down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium this season due to the form of first-choice front pair Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo.
But with Aguero currently out with a calf injury Dzeko will have opportunities to shine and he took one such chance by scoring the winner in Saturday's hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace.
Next year will be a big one for Dzeko, a £27million signing from Wolfsburg in 2011, with Bosnia competing in the World Cup for the first time in the summer.
That has led to speculation he might seek more regular first-team football elsewhere but Pellegrini stresses he needs the 27-year-old as City seek silverware on multiple fronts.
Pellegrini said: "There was never any chance of Dzeko going in January. He is a very important player for the team.
"If you look at the last month I think Dzeko was one of the players that played the most minutes in December.
"He has continued to a very important player for us.
"Always a player wants to play every game but it is impossible with the amount of games that we have to play.
"I think he is happy here. He is an important striker and could have a lot of offers from other clubs but there is never a chance of him leaving."
Midfielder Rodwell has struggled to establish himself at City since his £12million move from Everton in August last year, mainly due to injuries.
Rodwell has suffered more of the niggling and recurring hamstring injuries that hampered his progress at Goodison Park.
It has been suggested that City could loan him out in a bid to try to get him more top-level action but Pellegrini is not interested.
He said: "I think all the players in the squad at the moment, it is because we need them. I need all the players."
Pellegrini is now considering whether he needs to strengthen his squad during January.
He insists it is not a priority but will not rule out additions.
The Chilean said: "For the moment, we are not talking about that but we are always analysing what we need and what we don't need.
"The possibility of the transfer window is there for every club. We will see what we are going to do in the next days."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments