The Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has responded to reports claiming the club will offload a few of the older players at the end of the season.
The Citizens won the last four Premier League titles, but have below par this season and are fighting to stay in the top four.
Kyle Walker has already been loaned out to AC Milan, while there are reports claiming Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Bernardo Silva could be on their way out.
Read: Onana woes hands SA-eligible star Man Utd a boost
However, Guardiola claims some of the older players will still be needed next season.
"There are players here that their age is over 30 but they are part of the future of this club. Except Kevin, and Kevin and the club will decide on his future everyone who has a contract for next season I expect him to be here," he told a news conference on Friday.
"They are going to help us. Next season will be a lot of games. We cannot do it just with our new ones. They will be able to help and be part of our season."
City will turn their attention to the FA Cup this weekend as they take on Plymouth Argyle, who eliminated Liverpool in the last round.
"They are solid and, of course, since the manager took over the results are there. They only lost a few games in their last 10 or 11 so yes, I expect a difficult game," Guardiola added.
"We play at home -- that is a little advantage compared with away. But these types of games we know they are tricky because these types of teams, what they do, they do really well."