Despite the average age of the squad, Pellegrini and Begiristain are relaxed about the process of re-shaping the playing staff, as only Martín Demichelis, Bacary Sagna and Yaya Touré have passed their 30th birthdays. They believe that the average-age issue can be resolved in one or two transfer windows by strategic purchases. The £32 million summer acquisition of Eliaquim Mangala from Porto is cited as proof of the club’s desire to recruit emerging players with a promising future.