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Tag: Manchester City

  • Pep warns Man City ready to contend title with Arsenal

    Pep warns Man City ready to contend title with Arsenal

    Manchester City’s 2023-24 season is widely regarded as their worst under Guardiola, marked by their lowest points tally at the halfway stage and a struggle to keep pace with Arsenal, according to statistics. 

    However, holders of the three straight Premier League titles have seen a massive run of good form this season. Following their 3-0 win against Liverpool on Sunday, 9 November at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola has thrown a challenge to Arsenal that their win shows they are ready to battle for the title.

    City moved to within four points of leaders Arsenal at the top of the table thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, Nico González and Jérémy Doku.

    The result against Liverpool came 24 hours after Mikel Arteta’s side drew 2-2 with Sunderland, and Guardiola said afterwards it felt like a significant performance against the current champions.

    “I think Liverpool and us said ‘oh wow, Arsenal dropped points finally and conceded two goals. But in the end, we have to do it, and I said to the players. Don’t do it because yesterday Arsenal didn’t win. Do it because we believe in ourselves that we can play against the champions of England and show them we are ready to be there with them this season,” said Guardiola.

    He added, “Today, we proved it. We did it.”

    Guardiola went on to praise Jeremy Doku for his stunning display during the match. He won a penalty earlier in the 13th minute of the match when Doku made a trademark dribbling run into the Liverpool penalty area. 

    Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, came off his line to challenge. As Doku tried to skip past him, Mamardashvili caught Doku with his left knee, bringing him down, earning Man City an immediate penalty award from the referee. Haaland took the penalty, but he missed.

    “He [Doku] is demanding himself to be better, he listens, and he has special attributes with dribbling,” said Guardiola.

    Guardiola was impressed with the Belgian, particularly after Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley had such a good game against Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday.

    “Today, Conor [Bradley] — the right-back of Liverpool — I’m really, really impressed

    “Pep Lijnders told me a thousand incredibly good things about that guy. He can do everything. I know the game against [Real] Madrid, how good [he was] against Vinícius.

    “And he [Doku] handled it. He was aggressive, quick without the ball, and we tried to help him. He played an outstanding game.”

    Victory over Liverpool was the perfect way for Guardiola to celebrate his 1,000th game as a manager.

    “Thank you to the players and staff for giving me an incredible present against the most important opponent we faced in my time here,” said Guardiola.

    “It has been nice playing against them and seeing Virgil [van Dijk], [Andy] Robertson, and Mohammed Salah after all the battles we have had.

    “It has been a special night with my kids here.”

    Meanwhile, Liverpool’s 0–3 defeat to Manchester City on 9 November was their 5th loss in 11 Premier League matches since the start of the 2025/26 season.

    Their coach, Arne Slot jokingly made remarks that, his squad have been very consistent this season in terms of losing games.

    They played Brentford some days before their City clash on Sunday at the Etihad stadium. They suffered a 2–3 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium prompting a reaction from former Man Utd forward and the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, Rooney.

    Speaking in the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, the five-time Premier League winner said the body language of captain Virgil van Dijk and talismanic forward Mohamed Salah during Liverpool’s troubled spell was a “big concern”.

    He believes that the duo have signed a contract extension with the club, but their posture this season does not reflect that of good leadership, one that is in charge, citing that as one of the reasons behind the team’s struggles.

    “This is a time when the manager and the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly. Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah they’ve signed new deals, but I don’t think they’ve really led that team this season. I think body language tells you a lot, and I think we’re seeing slightly different body language from the two of them. They are the top two players in that team, and if their body language is not right, that affects everyone else,” he said.

    On his part, the team is clearly having a hard time overcoming their struggles, as they never anticipated such results, which have now placed them seventh in the Premier League table. He has called on the leadership of Liverpool to treat the team’s current form with urgency.

    The Reds have lost four consecutive Premier League matches and are now seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

    “No one has seen this coming; it’s hit them quick, it’s hit them hard, and I think they’re struggling to find a way out of it,” he added.

    “I might be wrong on this, but if I were a Liverpool fan or the manager, that would be a big concern for me.”

    In reaction to this, Virgil van Dijk has shot down the legend’s claims, flawing them as lazy criticism.

    According to him, a team’s form is not entirely the responsibility of a few players but that of every member of the team citing the silence of the former Man Utd legend when the club was their best last season where they won the Premier League title last season. He said the remarks didn’t hurt him.

    He said, “I didn’t hear him last year,” Van Dijk told reporters, after Liverpool arrested their slide with a win against Aston Villa on Saturday. It doesn’t hurt me. Just to come back to this particular player, obviously a legend, a big player of the game who inspired so many, I can say only positive things, but I feel that comment is just, I would say it’s a bit of a lazy criticism. It’s easy to blame the other players, but he knows we do it together, trying to help each of us to try to get out of this. Last year, when things went well, you didn’t hear that at all”.

    On his part, Rooney’s remarks are an opinion, and as a pundit, he is entitled to his opinion and which is to say, he is doing his job.

    “It is what it is.[Pundits] have to do that job. He has an opinion, and we have to deal with it. There’s no hard feelings. I don’t take it personally,” he continued.

  • Kevin De Bryne shies away from Club World Cup over injury fear

    Kevin De Bryne shies away from Club World Cup over injury fear

    Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is uncertain about his participation in the upcoming Club World Cup over fears of sustaining an injury.

    The attacking midfielder, whose contract is set to expire by the end of the season, would leave as a free agent.

    Speaking in an interview during a discussion about his potential participation in the Club World Cup, Kevin said:

    “I think in a way I have to take care of myself because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do?”

    “Nobody’s going to take care of me at that point. So there’s a big chance probably I won’t play it, but I don’t know, maybe yes.”

    With two games left to go this season, he said he had to consider what is best for his own career as he prepares for his next move.

    “I have to take care of my family. I’ve got three kids and my wife; it’s not an easy process at this time,” he said.

    However, his uncertainty about missing the Club World Cup has left a slim chance of his participation.

    Many believe he could sign a short-term extension that would allow him to play in the newly expanded tournament in June and July.

    The timing of the Club World Cup, which has been expanded from seven teams to 32, has led to FIFA introducing a short-term transfer window to enable players whose contracts expire on June 30 to move to clubs participating in the tournament.

    It also allows players like De Bruyne to sign short-term deals purely to take part before moving on as free agents.

    But that brings with it the risk of him suffering a serious injury that would jeopardize a future transfer.

    Kevin De Bruyne has had an outstanding career at Manchester City, distinguishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.

    He joined the club in 2015, and since then he has won 6 Premier League titles, a Champions League, and multiple domestic trophies.

    Following his injury return in the 2024/25 season, De Bruyne made a total of 38 appearances across all competitions, scoring 6 goals and providing 8 assists.

    He also scored 4 goals in the Premier League and assisted 7. However, he scored no goals in the Champions League after 7 matches.

    In the FA Cup, he played four games and scored two goals.

    After fourteen years with Man City, the 33-year-old is now considering his options but says there has been uncertainty over whether City wants him to be part of its squad for the Club World Cup in the United States.

    Meanwhile, City hasn’t had the best season by far, as they gave up their Premier League title this season after four consecutive wins. De Bruyne said, though,

    “This year has just not gone the way we wanted it to. You have to accept it. You have to move on and work hard and go again,” De Bruyne said.

    “It’s alright. This doesn’t change anything that’s happened in the past 10 years.” De Bruyne said he has yet to decide on his next move and whether he would look to join another Premier League team”.

  • De Bruyne to part ways with Man City at end of season

    De Bruyne to part ways with Man City at end of season

    Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign, bringing an end to a decade-long stint that saw him establish himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders.

    The 33-year-old Belgian playmaker, who arrived from Wolfsburg in 2015 for £55 million, has been instrumental in City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola. During his time at the Etihad, he has won 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever Champions League crown in 2023.

    Despite his impact, injuries have limited De Bruyne’s involvement this season, with the midfielder making just 19 starts across all competitions. Announcing his departure on social media, he reflected on his journey with the club.

    “Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter,” he wrote.

    “Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club.

    “These people gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back. And guess what – we won everything.

    “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant for our family. Manchester will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts.

    “This will always be our home. We cannot thank the city, club, staff, team-mates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.”

    Manchester City has acknowledged De Bruyne’s immense contribution to the club, confirming that plans are in place to give him a “fitting tribute” before the season concludes.

    “Manchester City will bid an emotional farewell to Kevin de Bruyne this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a glittering 10-year period at the club,” City announced.

    “The Belgian, a global icon of the game, has played 413 matches for City.

    “During that period, he has scored 106 times, making him the first City midfielder since Colin Bell to reach a century of goals.

    “The club and all of our fans will now take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.”

    De Bruyne’s time in Manchester coincided with an era of unprecedented success for the club. Under Guardiola, he evolved into a world-class playmaker, becoming the creative engine behind City’s attacking dominance.

    His individual achievements are equally remarkable. Since joining City, De Bruyne has:

    • Provided 117 assists in the Premier League, more than any other player in that period.
    • Created 827 chances and 193 big chances, the most in the league.
    • Won two Premier League Player of the Season awards (2019-20, 2021-22).
    • Matched Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single season (20 in 2019-20).
    • Claimed the Premier League Playmaker Award three times (2017-18, 2019-20, 2022-23).

    The Belgian’s future remains uncertain, but last summer, he admitted he was “open to everything” after being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. He also put contract talks on hold while recovering from a thigh injury earlier this season.

  • Man City warned to ready for heavy point reduction if found guilty in FFFP case

    Man City warned to ready for heavy point reduction if found guilty in FFFP case

    Manchester City has been warned that they could face a 40-point deduction in their Financial Fair Play (FFP) case, though relegation from the Premier League is not expected.

    The club is currently facing over 115 charges related to alleged financial mismanagement. A hearing has already taken place, but a decision is still pending.

    It is believed that City could receive penalties such as points deductions, transfer bans, or other sanctions, but their recent activity in the transfer market, including offering star striker Erling Haaland a new 10-year contract, suggests they won’t be relegated to the EFL anytime soon.

    That is an opinion shared by Dr Rob Wilson, an economics professor at Sheffield Hallam University, with a leading expert in football finance telling Slingo of the long-running saga in Manchester: “I don’t expect them to get relegated. I think there’ll be a hefty points deduction, which I was guessing was going to be around 50, but that was when they were right at the top of the Premier League.

    I think somewhere between 20 and 40 would probably be where they end up landing and probably a transfer embargo in the summer, which might explain why the January activity has been like it is.

    “I expect them to get penalised but it’ll be a win for Man City and it’ll be a win for the Premier League because it’ll be the biggest points deduction they’ve ever had but it won’t be enough to really destabilise the football club.”

    Dr Wilson added: “A transfer embargo I think is almost a guarantee because they have to provide some level of sporting sanction which then would explain why they’ve suddenly gone into the market and are signing potentially four players.. Well definitely bringing three in I think, aren’t they, potentially four so, yeah.

    “The trend that the Premier League has gone with is to do it within the same season. That’s why we had that big foray with Everton, because they had two points deductions in the same season based on the two different PSR accounting periods.”

    Manchester City, known for their historic title wins, are currently in fourth place in the Premier League. If they were to face a 40-point deduction, they would be left with only one point for the season and would fall to the bottom of the table, 16 points away from safety, with almost half of the season still remaining.

  • “Perfect” – Pep Guardiola’s wife makes first public statement after divorce

    “Perfect” – Pep Guardiola’s wife makes first public statement after divorce

    Christina Serra, the wife of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, has said she is doing fine despite the ongoing reports about their separation.

    In an interview with the Daily Mail, Christina mentioned that she is managing well and continuing with her daily activities as usual.

    She was seen shopping in Barcelona, Spain, when journalists asked her how she was doing.

    When asked how she was doing, she replied, “Perfect, thanks.” When asked about her frame of mind, she added, “Everything is fine.”

    When asked about her separation from Guardiola, Christina Serra chose to stay silent and did not comment.

    Reports from Spain suggest that their breakup was decided in December 2024, just a month after Guardiola extended his contract with Manchester City until 2027.

    Although the couple has not made any public statements, they have reportedly informed close friends and family about their decision and requested privacy.

    Guardiola and Serra first met in 1994 when he was 23 years old, and she was 17. They got married in 2014 and have three children: Maria, 24; Marius, 22; and Valentina, 17.

    In 2019, rumors surfaced that Serra had moved out of Manchester with one of their children to focus on her fashion business, sparking speculation.

    Since then, she has split her time between Spain and London while staying in touch with Guardiola, who remains in Manchester.

  • Haaland says Man City’s legal issues didn’t affect his decision to sign a new deal

    Haaland says Man City’s legal issues didn’t affect his decision to sign a new deal

    Manchester City striker Erling Haaland says the charges against the club did not affect his decision to sign a new long-term contract.

    Haaland has agreed to a nine-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2034, making him one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

    Meanwhile, City are still waiting for the outcome of an investigation into 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, which could lead to a points deduction or even relegation.

    When asked if he had a way out of his new deal should City lose the case, Haaland said: “No, I haven’t thought of that or anything.

    “I am confident that the club know what they are doing and I really don’t think I should speak too much about this.”

    Manchester City were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation and referred to an independent commission.

    The club is accused of breaking Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018, but City strongly deny all allegations. A private hearing on the case was held between September and December.

    Since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Norway striker Erling Haaland has scored 112 goals in 127 matches for City.

    Haaland’s original contract, which was set to end in 2027, had certain clauses that have now been removed. There are rumors of a break clause that could take effect in 2029, but neither the club nor his representatives have confirmed this.

    His new deal is the longest in Premier League history, surpassing the nine-year contract Chelsea’s Cole Palmer signed in August.

    “It is a really good sign,” added Haaland. “Of course it is a bit unusual, it is not normal and that is also something I like.

    “It felt good for both parties and in the end it was an easy choice.”

    Manchester City will play an important Champions League group stage match against Paris St-Germain at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

  • Revealed! This is why Pep Gaurdiola and wife’s have separated

    Revealed! This is why Pep Gaurdiola and wife’s have separated

    Pep Guardiola’s recent decision to extend his contract with Manchester City is said to have contributed to his separation from his wife, Christina Serra.

    Podcasters Laura Fa and Lorenza Vazquez, who shared the news on their show for El Periodico, mentioned that Guardiola’s choice to renew his contract, after months of uncertainty, was the key reason behind Serra’s decision to move on.

    Reports from Catalonia suggest that Guardiola had considered taking a break from football and relocating to Abu Dhabi with Cristina, where their son Marius lives.

    The separation is believed to have been finalized in December 2024, just a month after Guardiola signed a new deal with Manchester City that will keep him until 2027.

    While no official statement has been made, the couple has reportedly told their close circle about their decision, asking them to keep it private.

    Pep Guardiola and Christina Serra first met in 1994 when he was 20 and she was 17. They got married in 2014 and have three children: Maria, 24, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 17.

    In 2019, it was reported that Serra had left Manchester with one of their children to focus on her fashion business, which raised some concerns. Following this, she split her time between Spain and London, while keeping in contact with Guardiola, who was in Manchester.

    Though there were reports about their separation, the exact reasons behind it have not been made public.

    With a challenging start to the 2024/2025 season, Guardiola is expected to focus on his managerial role and work on improving Manchester City’s performance.

  • It’s my fault – Pep takes blame for Man City’s lacklustre form

    It’s my fault – Pep takes blame for Man City’s lacklustre form

    Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, has taken responsibility for the club’s poor form this season. Despite winning the Premier League title for the last four years and six of the past seven, City are now 14 points behind Liverpool.

    Their 2-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday was only their second win in 14 matches. Guardiola admitted that this current struggle is the worst phase of his successful managerial career, which includes successful stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

    “There are many, many things [involved in being a manager] and I missed something – something I am not doing well,” said Guardiola, who has been at the club for nine seasons.

    “In the end, when you lose a lot of games it is an incredible responsibility for the manager to take. There is something the team needs and confidence and I was not able to do it.

    “The call is on me first, it’s not the players. They naturally drop a little bit and that is normal. It happened a little bit last season as well.”

    City have had slow starts to seasons before – and trailed the leaders by six points or more in each of the past four title-winning campaigns – but they have never been this bad.

    “With this consistency [of results] I should have found it, and that is why we’re in this position,” Guardiola said.

    “I blame [myself]. It’s not to say, ‘oh how nice is Pep’ – it’s the truth. I lead that group of players and I could not lift them. This is the reality.”

    City have suffered many injuries this season – including to Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri – which Guardiola has repeatedly highlighted.

    “We were the only unbeaten team in Europe [until 30 October] and top of the league, but immediately we went down, for injuries, many things we’ve talked about,” he said.

    “But, even with that, I should have found a way to get better results.”

    The champions host West Ham at 15:00 GMT on Saturday.

  • I’m different from Jose Mourinho; I have won 6, he won 3 – Pep Guardiola to critics

    I’m different from Jose Mourinho; I have won 6, he won 3 – Pep Guardiola to critics

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed criticism about a hand gesture he made during the match against Liverpool at Anfield on December 1, 2024.

    Guardiola explained that holding up six fingers was not a hint about leaving the club, as some had speculated, but simply a way to highlight the six Premier League titles he has won.

    He also brushed off comparisons with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, pointing out that his own success in the Premier League surpasses Mourinho’s.

    Speaking at a press conference before City’s game against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola emphasised his achievements and dismissed any rumours about his future.

    “I hope not in my case [his domination in the EPL coming to an end like Mourinho]. In the end, maybe I am quite similar to Jose. He won three, and I won six [Premier League titles],” he said.

    Pep Guardiola faced criticism for showing six fingers to Liverpool fans during their taunts at a recent match.

    The former Barcelona coach explained that he made the gesture in response to chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” which he found disrespectful.

    Manchester City has had a tough start to the 2024/25 Premier League season. With 13 games played, they’ve managed seven wins, two draws, and four losses.

    Currently, City sits fifth in the league with 23 points, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.

  • Court orders Man City to pay part of Benjamin Mendy’s £11m unpaid wages

    Court orders Man City to pay part of Benjamin Mendy’s £11m unpaid wages

    French footballer Benjamin Mendy is set to receive a significant portion of the £11 million in wages owed by his former club, Manchester City, following a ruling at the Manchester Employment Tribunal.

    According to The Mirror, Mendy won the majority of his £11 million claim against Manchester City.

    Employment Judge Joanne Dunlop provided further details on the decision at the tribunal.

    “[Mendy is] entitled to recover some, but not all, of the sums claimed. While Mendy was not in custody, he was ready and willing to work and was prevented from doing so due to circumstances that were unavoidable or involuntary on his part.

    “In those circumstances, and absent any authorisation in the contract for the employer to withhold pay, he was entitled to be paid,” the judge said.

    FC Lorient defender Benjamin Mendy was suspended from football in August 2021 following his arrest on charges of sexual offences, including rape.

    After being held in custody for five months, Manchester City withheld his salary, which remained unpaid until his contract expired in June 2023.

    In January 2023, however, Mendy was acquitted of six rape charges and a sexual assault charge after a lengthy trial.

  • Haaland must prove himself in big matches – Mikel Obi

    Haaland must prove himself in big matches – Mikel Obi

    Former Nigerian football icon Mikel Obi has called on Manchester City’s star forward, Erling Haaland, to step up and prove his abilities during pivotal games for the club.

    Obi acknowledged Haaland’s impressive goal-scoring feats in European football but noted that the Norwegian striker has yet to consistently shine in crucial matches, especially in the Champions League.

    The ex-Chelsea star highlighted that Haaland’s performances in major encounters have not been as dominant as expected, suggesting that he could follow the example of Lionel Messi, who made a lasting impact in key moments throughout his career, solidifying his status as one of the game’s greatest players.

    “Right now, he hasn’t [shown up in big games]. We can agree on that.

    I want to see him, on Sunday, show up in the big games, which is what Messi did,” he said, as shared by Vince on X.

    The retired Nigerian footballer made his remarks after Manchester City’s goalless draw against Inter Milan in their 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League opener.

    Despite an explosive start to the Premier League with nine goals in four matches, Haaland couldn’t find the net in the Champions League game.

    Premier League pundits have often criticized Haaland for lacking versatility, claiming he’s primarily a finisher. However, the Norwegian striker has brushed off the criticism, stating that such comments don’t affect him.

  • A change in packed game schedule should come for the players

    A change in packed game schedule should come for the players

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola emphasised on Friday that the initiative for a more balanced match schedule should be led by the players themselves.

    This statement comes just days after his midfielder, Rodri, hinted that players might consider striking due to the strain of their packed game schedule.

    Guardiola made these remarks ahead of his team’s upcoming match against Arsenal on Sunday, which falls in the middle of a demanding period of seven games over three weeks for the defending Premier League champions.

    “Many, many voices are talking about it,” Guardiola told reporters.

    “If something is going to change, it must come from the players.

    The business can be without managers, without sporting directors, without media, without owners, but without the players, it cannot be played.

    “It is not just Rodri (speaking out); it is many, many players, and not just in this country, but around the world people are starting to talk, so we will see.”

    Guardiola was non-committal about whether Kevin de Bruyne will play on Sunday after his captain limped off at halftime of their 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday and did not play the second half.

    “He feels a bit better today. Tomorrow we’re training and we’ll see. He could be involved,” the manager said.

  • Arteta says Arsenal have been preparing for the Manchester City game since pre-season

    Arteta says Arsenal have been preparing for the Manchester City game since pre-season

    Arsenal concludes a demanding week of away matches with a challenging encounter against defending champions Manchester City in the Premier League this Sunday.

    Manager Mikel Arteta, 42, revealed that his team has been preparing for this pivotal clash since the pre-season.

    Following their victory over Tottenham Hotspur in a north London derby last weekend, Arsenal traveled to Bergamo, where they secured a goalless draw against Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday.

    However, there’s little time for recovery, as they now face City on the weekend.

    Pep Guardiola’s squad has narrowly defeated Arsenal for the title in the past two seasons, and once again, both teams find themselves at the top of the league standings after four matches, with City holding a two-point advantage.

    “We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season. Obviously, we knew the schedule and we know that it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days,” Arteta said.

    “But it was what it was so we have prepared for that, both physically, mentally, and tactically.

    “We’re making sure that everyone is ready for it because we’re going to need them, especially with the injuries that we had from the international break.”

    Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle injury sustained on duty with Norway and Arteta is unsure of the midfielder’s return date.

    “We need to see the development in the next week or so, how the ankle reacts first of all and then the staff will give me an update on the time frame and how long he’ll be out for,” the Spaniard said.

    Arteta added that there were no fresh injuries after the draw at Atalanta but had hoped for an extra day of rest after City drew at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday.

    “We wanted the same as them, we’re not getting it, so we have to adapt and make the most of the time that we have today and tomorrow and on the morning of the match to prepare in the best way to go there and win the game,” he said.

    Although City have had Arsenal’s number in the past, they have not beaten Arteta’s side in their last three meetings in all competitions, with their last win coming in April 2023.

    Arsenal also boast a stellar away record in 2024, dropping points in just the 0-0 draw at City last season, and Arteta said he expected a competitive atmosphere at The Etihad Stadium.

    “We go to the home of the champions, the team that I think in Premier League history has been the most consistent ever, not only in terms of results but in terms of dominance and consistent top performances,” he said.

    “This is the challenge. We have to go there and prove that again we’ve made another step and we can compete.”

  • “There’s no end to it” – Man City’s Akanji worried over football calendar

    “There’s no end to it” – Man City’s Akanji worried over football calendar

    Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji humorously suggested he might consider retiring by the time he turns 30 due to the ever-growing demands of top-tier football. The 29-year-old has already featured in seven games for both club and country this season.

    His last appearance in the previous campaign was on July 6, when Switzerland exited Euro 2024, and just over a month later, on August 10, he kicked off the 2024-25 season in England’s Community Shield.

    Next week, City are set to embark on their expanded Champions League journey, facing eight group-stage matches before the knockout rounds.

    To cap off the season, they will also participate in the FIFA Club World Cup, a 32-team competition set to conclude with a final on July 13.

    “It’s so tough,” Akanji said. “You don’t just think about this season—but also next season. Let’s say we win the league or cup, then go to the final of the Club World Cup; the Community Shield is three weeks after. So when do we have holidays?

    “There are no breaks in winter, so if we are lucky we get two weeks and then we need to be back and into next season. Then the next summer it’s the World Cup. There’s no end to it.”

    Akanji has played 48 club games in each of his two full seasons at City and is preparing for a similar workload this term.

    “It’s just game after game and I don’t know how it will work out over the next couple of years,” he added. “You can’t just keep adding game after game and assume everything will be like it was. You have to think about the players as well

    “At some point you’ll be too tired to play any more games. And then come injuries, definitely. We train as hard as possible and we are fit — but there has to be a limit. Maybe I’ll retire at 30.”

    Akanji’s feelings resonate with many players and the leading footballers’ union, FIFPRO.

    In June, FIFPRO initiated legal action against FIFA, challenging the governing body’s authority to unilaterally determine the football calendar and its decision to introduce and schedule the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

  • Man City’s defender Joško Gvardiol names Kudus as his toughest opponent

    Man City’s defender Joško Gvardiol names Kudus as his toughest opponent

    Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol has shared his thoughts on facing Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus, praising the West Ham star’s potential to become a global football sensation.

    In an interview with Manchester City’s media team, Gvardiol reflected on his first season in the Premier League and singled out Kudus as one of the standout opponents.

    He recalled their initial meeting on September 16, 2023, when Kudus came on as a substitute and immediately made an impact.

    Gvardiol noted that even in the short time Kudus was on the field, he proved to be a formidable challenge, impressing with his speed and skill.

    Looking back on their most recent encounter, which concluded the 2023/2024 season, Gvardiol reiterated his admiration for Kudus’s talent and potential.

    “Mohammed Kudus from West Ham was my toughest opponent. In the first game, he was on the bench, and when he came on for the last twenty minutes, he was on my side.

    “I realised that he was quite good. He looks sharp and was good on the ball. In the second game of the season, he even scored a bicycle kick. He was the one I struggled against,” he said.

    The Croatian defender extended his best wishes to Kudus for the 2024/2025 season, expressing hope that the Ghanaian forward will solidify his place among the world’s top players.

    “I think he is the one who deserves attention, and I believe this season he’s going to come out and show his quality,” he said.

    Kudus enjoyed a stellar debut season in England, hitting 14 goals and six assists across all competitions.

  • Jadon Sancho thrilled to be part of Chelsea’s ‘project’ following his transfer

    Jadon Sancho thrilled to be part of Chelsea’s ‘project’ following his transfer

    Jadon Sancho has expressed his excitement about joining Chelsea’s “project” after completing a move from Manchester United on an initial loan, which will become permanent next summer.

    The 24-year-old winger finalised his transfer to Chelsea on Saturday, following last-minute negotiations on transfer deadline day.

    According to sources, Chelsea did not pay a loan fee but will cover most of Sancho’s wages for the season. The deal’s total cost could rise to £25 million ($32.8m), depending on Chelsea’s performance this season.

    “I’m really excited to be here. London is where I grew up, and I’m happy to be back,” Sancho said in a statement.

    “The manager spoke to me about the project, and, for a young player, it’s exciting. Hopefully I can bring goals and assists to the Bridge.”

    Jadon Sancho joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in a high-profile €85 million transfer in July 2023, following a lengthy negotiation period.

    However, he struggled to recapture his impressive form from Germany, making only 83 appearances for United and contributing just 12 goals and six assists.

    Sancho is now aiming to rejuvenate his career after facing challenges in recent years. He hasn’t played a competitive match for United in over a year and was omitted from Erik ten Hag’s squad for the first two Premier League games of the current season.

    Last season, Sancho spent the second half on loan at Borussia Dortmund after being excluded from United’s first team following a public dispute with Ten Hag.

    During his loan spell, he played a key role in Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final at Wembley, where they were defeated 2-0 by Real Madrid.

    A product of Watford and Manchester City’s youth academies, Sancho has earned 23 senior caps for England.

    However, he has not featured for the national team since 2021 and was absent from both the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s European Championship in Germany.

  • Man City’s Cancelo to make Saudi move in £21.2m deal

    Man City’s Cancelo to make Saudi move in £21.2m deal

    Manchester City have reached an agreement with Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal for the transfer of defender Joao Cancelo, with the deal valued at £21.2 million.

    While personal terms are believed to be agreeable, Cancelo has yet to finalise the move. Should he proceed, the 30-year-old will sign a three-year contract, bringing his five-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium to a close.

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had hinted earlier this month that Cancelo might return to play for the club.

    However, the issues that led to Cancelo being loaned out to Bayern Munich and Barcelona over the past 18 months remain a significant barrier.

    Cancelo has been absent from Manchester City’s two Premier League fixtures this season and did not participate in the Community Shield win against Manchester United.

    He was also missing from the squad due to several players’ involvement in the European Championship in Germany.

    Originally, Cancelo was introduced by Guardiola as an innovative inverted full-back but lost his starting position shortly after signing a new contract in 2022.

  • Man City’s Pep points tactical evolution to boredom

    Man City’s Pep points tactical evolution to boredom

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said boredom has helped inspire him to develop new tactical ideas as he bids to win a fifth straight Premier League crown.

    Guardiola, 53, began his ninth season at City last Sunday with a comfortable 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He said his evolution comes from restlessness, but also from rivals reacting to his ideas.

    Asked why he has employed various systems throughout his time at City and at Barcelona and Bayern Munich prior, Guardiola told ESPN Brasil: “It’s because otherwise I get bored.

    Always doing the same thing for eight years would be very boring. That’s the first thing.

    “And secondly, when you do something and it goes well, they [opponents] watch you and create an antidote. If you go too inside, they close in. If we open up the field too much, they’ll open it up more.

    “Anything we do and they respond to us, we have to respond again. The third reason is the players we have. What specific qualities they have and when they adapt best to the way you want to play.”

    The Catalan coach added that he never thought he would stay with the reigning champions for this long amid reports that he is considering leaving at the end of his contract, which expires after this season.

    “Not in my wildest dreams,” Guardiola said when asked about the length of his tenure. “If we hadn’t won, we wouldn’t be here, it would have changed.”

    City’s Premier League campaign continues against Ipswich Town on Saturday.

  • Manchester City’s Gundogan is back!

    Manchester City’s Gundogan is back!

    Manchester City have secured the return of their former captain Ilkay Gundogan, signing him from Barcelona on an initial one-year contract, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.

    “WHAT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR…

    WELCOME BACK TO CITY, @ILKAYGUENDOGAN 🩵 PIC.TWITTER.COM/8VUTEKQNRU

    — MANCHESTER CITY (@MANCITY) AUGUST 23, 2024″

    Ilkay Gundogan, the German midfielder who became Pep Guardiola’s inaugural signing at Manchester City in 2016, enjoyed a remarkable seven-year stint at the club before moving to Barcelona on a free transfer in 2023.

    During his time at City, the 33-year-old played a pivotal role in the team’s success, amassing 14 major trophies. Gundogan’s contribution on the field was significant, with 304 appearances and 60 goals to his name, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in City’s golden era.

    “My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” said Gundogan.

    “Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player.

    “Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the City shirt again.”

    Barcelona has opted to part ways with Ilkay Gundogan despite his strong first season in Spain, driven by the club’s ongoing financial challenges.

    The decision comes as Barcelona struggles to manage its wage bill and meet La Liga’s stringent spending regulations, which have also hindered their ability to register new signing Dani Olmo.

    Gundogan, who was one of Barcelona’s highest-paid players, is leaving the club on a free transfer. This move is seen as a necessary step to bring the club’s finances in line with league requirements, allowing them to avoid potential penalties and clear the way for new signings.

    On the international stage, Gundogan, who earned 82 caps for Germany, announced his retirement following Germany’s quarter-final exit to Spain in Euro 2024.

    His departure from both club and international football marks the end of an era for the veteran midfielder, who has had a storied career across Europe’s top leagues.

  • Talks underway for former Man City’s captain, Gundogan’s return – Reports

    Talks underway for former Man City’s captain, Gundogan’s return – Reports

    Manchester City is exploring the possibility of re-signing Ilkay Gundogan, who left the club for Barcelona in 2023 after a successful stint where he led the team to a historic Treble.

    Gundogan’s potential return comes amid financial difficulties at Barcelona, which have impacted their ability to register new players, including Dani Olmo.

    Barcelona’s ongoing financial troubles are a result of the club’s strict economic regulations, which cap spending on player wages and other expenses based on the club’s earnings and outstanding financial obligations.

    These rules, implemented by La Liga to ensure financial stability, are affecting Barcelona’s ability to finalize transfers and register new signings.

    City’s interest in Gundogan is partly driven by their current squad issues.

    The team is dealing with the high-profile departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and an injury to Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb, who may be sidelined for up to four months.

    Gundogan’s experience and familiarity with the club could provide an immediate solution without the need for an adjustment period.

    Gundogan, who previously joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for £20 million in 2016, has enjoyed a highly successful tenure at the club, making 304 appearances and scoring 60 goals.

    During his seven years at the Etihad, he won numerous titles, including five Premier League trophies, one Champions League, and four Carabao Cups.

    At Barcelona, Gundogan featured in 51 matches last season and scored five goals.

    However, the financial constraints at Barcelona are forcing them to consider selling players to balance their squad cost limit, a measure aimed at maintaining fiscal discipline within the league

  • Haaland is back! As he scores a hat-trick for Man City’s 4-2 win over Chelsea

    Haaland is back! As he scores a hat-trick for Man City’s 4-2 win over Chelsea

    Erling Haaland’s hat-trick led Manchester City to a 4-2 victory over a mistake-prone Chelsea in their pre-season match in Columbus.

    The 24-year-old Norwegian struck twice within the first five minutes, capitalizing on two costly errors by Chelsea.

    City took an early lead thanks to a loose pass from Tosin Adarabioyo and a penalty awarded when Levi Colwill fouled Haaland.

    The initial penalty was missed but converted on the re-take.

    Haaland quickly extended City’s advantage by intercepting a misjudged pass from Moises Caicedo and scoring. In the second half, City further asserted their dominance with a pair of easy goals.

    Raheem Sterling’s error allowed Oscar Bobb to score through a near-post shot in the 55th minute, and Haaland completed his hat-trick a minute later after another slip-up from Malo Gusto.

    Chelsea did manage to pull two goals back, with Raheem Sterling volleying in a cross at the 59-minute mark and Noni Madueke scoring on the counter-attack in the 88th minute, in front of a crowd of 68,000 at Ohio Stadium.

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca remarked that his team performed well despite the “strange” nature of the game, and both managers cited the “dry” pitch as a factor in the possession errors.

    Manchester City will now head back to the UK to face Manchester United in the Community Shield next Saturday.

    Chelsea will stay in the US for a match against Real Madrid on Tuesday before returning to Stamford Bridge to play Inter Milan next Sunday.

  • Pep unsure of Ederson’s stay at Man City amid Saudi links

    Pep unsure of Ederson’s stay at Man City amid Saudi links

    Pep Guardiola has expressed uncertainty about Ederson’s future at Manchester City due to interest from the Saudi Pro League.

    Al-Ittihad is reportedly prepared to meet City’s £50 million ($65 million/€60 million) valuation of the Brazilian goalkeeper, who has already agreed on personal terms and is eager for a new challenge outside England.

    Following City’s 4-3 friendly defeat to Celtic in North Carolina, Guardiola acknowledged that he is unsure about Ederson’s next move.

    “I’d like him to stay but it depends on other clubs,” he told reporters. “I don’t know the situation. There have been no contacts in the last days. It’s a question of training, being with us until the transfer window finishes and we’ll see.”

    While it’s still unclear where Ederson will be playing his football next season, Kalvin Phillips looks set to exit City, most likely via another loan spell after a challenging stint at West Ham.

    He was hooked off at half-time against Celtic, a decision Guardiola attributed to protecting the player following his injury struggles towards the end of last season.

    “That’s why we didn’t give him more minutes,” Guardiola explained. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. He knows the situation, and we’ll see.”

    If Ederson chooses to depart, Guardiola is resolute in ensuring Manchester City are not left lacking in the goalkeeping department. Reports indicate that City have pinpointed Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as a potential successor.

    While City proceed with their pre-season training in the United States, the transfer operations at Etihad Stadium are in full swing. Guardiola’s remarks reveal his wish to keep the Brazilian goalkeeper, but the growing appeal of the Saudi Pro League could lead to the manager losing his primary shot-stopper.

  • Kevin de Bruyne isn’t going anywhere – Pep addresses Saudi, other links

    Kevin de Bruyne isn’t going anywhere – Pep addresses Saudi, other links

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has firmly rejected speculation about star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne potentially leaving the club.

    De Bruyne, a crucial part of City’s team, played a key role in helping the club win the Premier League title last season, marking their fourth consecutive championship and his sixth since joining the team.

    Recent reports have linked De Bruyne with a move to Saudi Arabia, suggesting he might be interested in new opportunities following a successful period with City.

    The Belgian has won every major club trophy during his tenure and has one year left on his current contract. He recently hinted that he might consider a move to the Saudi Pro League due to attractive financial offers.

    Despite these rumors, Guardiola remains confident about De Bruyne’s future at City.

    In a pre-season press conference before their game against Celtic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Guardiola addressed the speculation and reaffirmed De Bruyne’s commitment to the club.

    “Kevin isn’t leaving,” he told reporters. “If someone leaves, we are going to talk about that and, of course, until the last day [of the transfer window] we have chances. I don’t rule out new players as an option, but I think there is an 85, 90, 95% chance we will have the same squad.”

    Guardiola’s confidence suggests that Manchester City are likely to retain the core of its championship-winning squad as they prepare to defend their Premier League title.

    City’s first match of the new season is set against Chelsea on August 18.

  • FA cooking plans to hire Pep Guardiola as England’s manager to replace Gareth Southgate

    FA cooking plans to hire Pep Guardiola as England’s manager to replace Gareth Southgate

    Football Association (FA) is reportedly considering Pep Guardiola as a potential replacement for Gareth Southgate as the England manager.

    Following Southgate’s resignation after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, the search for a new manager has begun. Names like Eddie Howe and Lee Carsley have been floated, but a high-profile candidate is also being considered.

    According to The Independent, the FA is willing to wait and see if Guardiola leaves Manchester City in 2025 before appointing a permanent successor to Southgate.

    There are even suggestions that an interim manager might be appointed in the meantime. Guardiola is in the final year of his contract and has hinted he might leave at the end of the 2024-25 season.

    If the FA opts to delay a permanent appointment while monitoring Guardiola’s situation, they will need an interim manager for England’s matches until next summer.

    Carsley, currently managing the Under-21s, would be a strong candidate for the interim role.

    Guardiola, 53, is one of the most successful managers in modern football. He has won the Premier League six times, leading Manchester City to the title for the past five consecutive years, and has also lifted the Champions League three times.

    For the next 10 months, Guardiola will focus on his club, aiming for success on all fronts as usual for City. England will watch closely to see if he shows any interest in transitioning to international management in the near future.

  • ‘Stupid question’ – Kevin De Bruyne allegedly caught on camera slamming journalist

    ‘Stupid question’ – Kevin De Bruyne allegedly caught on camera slamming journalist

    Following Belgium’s elimination from Euro 2024 with a 1-0 loss to France in the round of 16, Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne dismissed a journalist’s inquiry as ‘unreasonable.’

    The Red Devils were defeated when Jan Vertonghen scored an own goal late in the match. De Bruyne faced the media in the mixed zone after the game to discuss their departure from the tournament.

    During the questioning, the journalist asked, “Is it hard that the ‘Golden Generation’ didn’t achieve a final?”

    After a brief pause, De Bruyne replied with a question, “What is the Golden Generation?”

    The journalist responded, “Yours.” De Bruyne continued, “Mine? And you’re saying that France, England, Spain, and Germany do not have a Golden Generation? Okay, thank you.”

    After responding to the question, the Manchester City player promptly left the mixed zone. As he departed, he was captured on camera referring to the inquiry as a ‘stupid question.’

    Belgium’s renowned team has earned the moniker ‘golden generation’ owing to the exceptional talent of its players over the years.

  • Man City not interested in making transfers in the upcoming season – Sources

    Man City not interested in making transfers in the upcoming season – Sources

    Man City are reportedly planning to retain their current squad for the upcoming season unless there are requests from players to leave, according to a source.

    Despite uncertainties surrounding the futures of key players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Ederson, City’s management is maintaining flexibility regarding their summer transfer strategy.

    According to reports, unless a player expresses a desire to depart Etihad Stadium and a suitable offer meets the club’s valuation, Pep Guardiola may opt to proceed into the new campaign with the same roster as the previous season.

    Sources indicate that there have been no indications from De Bruyne, Silva, or Ederson about their intention to seek transfers away from City.

    City is reportedly focused on securing permanent deals for João Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips, both of whom had loan spells at Barcelona and West Ham United, respectively, last season.

    While City remains open to loan arrangements, their preference is for permanent transfers.

    Everton is reportedly keen on Phillips.

    Additionally, sources have revealed that City is eyeing Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães as a potential target if any midfielder, such as De Bruyne, Silva, or Matheus Nunes, requests to leave the club.

  • Man City’s De Bruyne joins Messi’s Inter Miami?

    Representatives of Man City star Kevin De Bruyne have reportedly engaged in transfer discussions with officials from the new MLS team, San Diego FC.

    According to The Athletic, De Bruyne’s agents have had one conversation with the club, which is set to join MLS next season.

    The midfielder is said to be considering finishing his career in the United States, making San Diego a potential destination.

    However, these discussions are still in the early stages, and a move is far from being finalized. While the Belgium international has also been linked with a possible move to Saudi Arabia, he has expressed a desire to remain at Manchester City until retirement.

    His current contract with City is set to expire next year.

    Moving to the MLS has become an increasingly attractive option for veteran European players, especially following Lionel Messi’s high-profile transfer to Inter Miami.

    Despite these considerations, De Bruyne remains a key player for Pep Guardiola’s squad, recently contributing to their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

    This season, despite being hampered by injuries, the 33-year-old managed to score four goals and provide 10 assists in 18 Premier League appearances.

    Given his crucial role at Manchester City and his contract running until 2025, an immediate transfer seems unlikely.

    De Bruyne aims to end the season on a high note as City prepares to face Manchester United in the FA Cup final this week.

  • Pep praises Kudus; but he is named among his worries ahead of City-West Ham clash

    Pep praises Kudus; but he is named among his worries ahead of City-West Ham clash

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lauded West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus as an outstanding player ahead of their pivotal Premier League clash on Sunday.

    Guardiola’s team faces West Ham United at the Etihad, aiming for victory to secure their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

    A draw or loss could potentially allow Arsenal to seize the title, intensifying the pressure on City in the upcoming match.

    Guardiola recognized West Ham’s offensive strength, particularly praising Ghanaian Kudus, who has scored 13 goals across all competitions in his debut season with the Hammers.

    “Now I’m not thinking one second about next season because it’s West Ham. Four players up front who can create something,” Guardiola stated as reported by EuroFoot.

    “Kudus is an exceptional player. Bowen for many years and Antonio, when he’s fit, is unbelievable. Paqueta is a top-class player in that he can do many things. That’s why. All four, from nothing they can do something unique and special. That is my only concern right now.”

    With Arsenal fans pinning their hopes on Kudus and his colleagues to potentially bolster their title aspirations, the Gunners currently trail City by two points heading into the last game.

    Simultaneously, Arsenal will be facing Everton as the City-West Ham encounter unfolds.

  • Clash of Clans introduces Haaland as first real-life character

    Clash of Clans introduces Haaland as first real-life character

    Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has joined the ranks of playable characters in the popular mobile video game “Clash of Clans,”game developer Supercell announced on Tuesday.

    In the game, Haaland’s character is dubbed the “Barbarian King,” marking the first time a real person has been featured as a character in the game, which has been downloaded over 2 billion times. Haaland, 23, is known to be a fan of the game since its initial release when he was just 12 years old.

    The Norwegian international shared a trailer for the game on his social media platforms, showcasing himself encountering characters from the game in real life before being transported into the animated game world.

    “When we heard Haaland was a fan of our game and that he wanted to partner with us, it was really a dream scenario,” Stuart McGaw, general manager of Clash of Clans said in statement.

    “It’s been tough to keep this one quiet, but I’m excited to finally be able to talk about this epic partnership with Clash of Clans,” Haaland said.

    “I’ve been a huge fan of the game for a long time and know everything about it, so to appear as an in-game character is really cool.”

  • Bellingham tells why he picked Madrid over City, other clubs

    Bellingham tells why he picked Madrid over City, other clubs

    Jude Bellingham emphasises that his move to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund last summer lost its allure when Real Madrid expressed interest in signing him.

    Despite having a standout first season at the Bernabéu, where he scored 20 goals and provided five assists, the 20-year-old midfielder experienced a comparatively subdued performance in last week’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against City.

    When asked in a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Manchester, with the tie poised at 3-3, if he had considered joining City, Bellingham said: “I had good chats with clubs, including Dortmund.

    “My family were great in helping me chew up that information because it’s difficult while you are still in the season to take in the information and process it and still have to play.

    “I had conversations with other teams but when Madrid came in, it was a no-brainer, really because of the size of the club, the project, the plan going forward, and the chance to play with such amazing players. I just jumped at it. That’s why I made my decision.”

  • Video: Check out Partey’s 24 minutes playtime in Manchester City-Arsenal clash

    Video: Check out Partey’s 24 minutes playtime in Manchester City-Arsenal clash

    Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey showcased his importance to Arsenal’s title aspirations with an impactful performance against Manchester City on March 31, 2024.

    Despite being limited to twenty-four minutes of play in the goalless draw at Etihad Stadium, the 30-year-old demonstrated signs of returning to peak condition after facing injury setbacks throughout the 2023/2024 season.

    Partey’s standout moment came when he orchestrated a brilliant play that bypassed four Manchester City players, setting up Arsenal’s best scoring opportunity of the match.

    Receiving a pass from Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, Partey skillfully manoeuvered past City striker Erling Haaland and evaded the pressure from three opposing players before delivering a precise pass to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

    Although Odegaard’s subsequent shot was unsuccessful, Partey’s overall performance showcased his sharpness and ability to dictate play with accurate passes and timely interceptions.

    His calming influence in midfield provided Arsenal with much-needed control in a match where they faced significant defensive pressure.

    Partey’s return to form is a positive development for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, especially with a hectic schedule of eight games awaiting the team in April.

  • Man City mull Kalvin Phillips’ exit – Sources

    Man City mull Kalvin Phillips’ exit – Sources

    Kalvin Phillips is likely to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.

    The midfielder’s career has stalled ever since he joined City from Leeds United in 2022, starting only two Premier League matches since making his £42 million transfer.

    Phillips, 28, joined West Ham United on loan in January in a bid to revive his career and secure a place in the England squad for Euro 2024, but his struggles have continued since moving to London.

    City have insisted that Phillips could still have a future at the club, but sources have told ESPN that the more likely outcome is that he leaves permanently at the end of the season.

    Reports have suggested that, at some stage, Rodri could return to Spain, but there’s little confidence that Phillips can step up and take over when the time comes and it’s likely that City manager Pep Guardiola has already seen enough anyway.

  • ‘Hurt’ Cancelo blasts Guardiola over lies concerning his City departure

    ‘Hurt’ Cancelo blasts Guardiola over lies concerning his City departure

    João Cancelo has criticised Manchester City, alleging that false information was spread about him after he left for Bayern Munich in January 2023.

    Despite being a significant player under manager Pep Guardiola, the Portugal international experienced a decline in his role during the first half of the 2022-23 season.

    Media reports suggested that Cancelo was discontented with teammates Rico Lewis and Nathan Aké receiving more playing time, implying that it had a negative impact on the team.

    Cancelo, who is on a season-long-loan at Barcelona from City told the ABola newspaper : “Lies were told! I’ve never been a bad teammate for them and you can ask either Aké or Rico. I don’t have any superiority or inferiority complex towards them, but that’s the manager’s opinion…”

    Asked if he was saddened by those reports, Cancelo said, “I was because it wasn’t true. I think Manchester City were a bit ungrateful to me when they said that, because I was a very important player in the years I was there. I never failed in my commitment to the club, to the fans and I always gave everything.

    “I remember a time when I was robbed and attacked and the next day I was playing at the Emirates against Arsenal. These are things you don’t forget,I left my wife and my daughter alone at home, terrified.

    “People will only remember this because Mister Guardiola has much more strength than me when he says something, and I prefer to keep to myself. I prefer to know that I am telling the truth.I feel fulfilled with what I did. I am a transparent person, I never lie.”

  • “I would love him to stay until the end of his career” – Pep tells De Bruyne after Saudi transfer

    “I would love him to stay until the end of his career” – Pep tells De Bruyne after Saudi transfer

    Pep Guardiola expressed his desire for Kevin De Bruyne to remain at Manchester City for the upcoming season but acknowledged the possibility that the midfielder might be enticed by a move to Saudi Arabia.

    Despite having a contract with the Etihad Stadium until 2025, De Bruyne continues to be linked with a potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League (SPL).

    There was interest in the 32-year-old last summer and he is back on the agenda for Saudi clubs ahead of the next window.
    “It’s a question for him, I’d love for him to stay but I don’t know,” Guardiola said.

    “I heard some links but I don’t know if there’s an offer, I don’t know if Saudi Arabia wants him. I would love for him to stay until the end of his career, but everyone is everyone.”


    Guardiola, preparing his team for an FA Cup fifth-round clash against Luton Town on Wednesday, also commended Xabi Alonso, amid rumours linking the former Liverpool player with the managerial position at his former club.

    Alonso previously played under Guardiola at Bayern Munich from 2014 to 2016. Since taking charge as Bayer Leverkusen manager in 2022, Alonso has steered the German side to the top of the Bundesliga table.

    Asked how good a job Alonso is doing at Leverkusen, Guardiola replied, “Wow. The only team unbeaten in all competitions [this season], fighting all the way with Bayern Munich.

    “Now they have the best time of the season, they cannot win the Bundesliga but they can lose the Bundesliga because everybody thinks it’s done. That’s the most difficult thing, it’s not done until it’s done.

    “Not just the way they play, they didn’t lose one game in the Europa League, the Pokal [German Cup], or the Bundesliga. I was incredibly fortunate to have him. He was such an intelligent player. Such an intelligent player.”

  • Burglars break in Newcastle star Joelinton’s house during Manchester City clash

    Burglars break in Newcastle star Joelinton’s house during Manchester City clash

    Another Premier League player has fallen victim to a burglary, as Newcastle star Joelinton was robbed during Saturday’s match against Manchester City.

    The Brazilian, recovering from a thigh problem, and his family were in the stands at St. James’ Park witnessing the Magpies’ heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the reigning champions.

    However, their ordeal worsened after the match.

    According to The Daily Mail, Joelinton received an alert during the game indicating that intruders were entering his home. Police were immediately notified, and a helicopter was dispatched to address the situation.

    In a statement, Northumbria Police confirmed that the thieves had fled Joelinton’s residence in Darras Hall.

    They said in a statement on Sunday: “Shortly before 7.30 p.m. yesterday [Saturday], police received a call from a concerned homeowner who reported that three men were inside their home in Darras Hall.

    Thankfully, the homeowner was not home but had received a security alert on their phone and immediately reported concerns to police.

    Police were deployed to the scene; however, those alleged to be involved had fled the scene. Enquires remain ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us via 101 or the ‘Report’ pages of our website, quoting log NP-20240113-0835.”


    Contrary to Joelinton’s case, he and his family were fortunately not at home during the burglary, as highlighted in the statement. However, Saturday’s opponent, Jack Grealish, wasn’t as fortunate.

    On Boxing Day, the City winger experienced a burglary at his Cheshire home, resulting in the theft of £1 million ($1.27 million) worth of jewelry. Unfortunately, Grealish’s fiancée and family were present during the raid.

    This incident adds to a series of burglaries targeting Premier League players in recent months, with Kevin De Bruyne, Victor Lindelof, and Joao Cancelo (during his time at City) all falling victim within the past year.

    While Joelinton’s family was spared the ordeal of facing a terrifying break-in, investigations will persist to identify the alleged culprits.

    On the field, Joelinton will be focused on regaining full fitness, as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side, following a defeat to City, finds itself just one point away from the bottom half of the Premier League.

  • ‘Rare’ break was ‘good’ for both the team and myself – City’s De Bruyne

    ‘Rare’ break was ‘good’ for both the team and myself – City’s De Bruyne

    Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne believes that his five-month break from football due to injury may ultimately be a blessing in disguise for both himself and the club.

    De Bruyne returned from hamstring surgery in the 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on Sunday, marking his first appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side since August.

    The 32-year-old, who provided an assist for Jérémy Doku just 17 minutes after coming on, expressed feeling refreshed after his time on the sidelines and is eager to contribute to City’s pursuit of trophies in the second half of the season.

    “It’s not like I needed a break but I took it to turn a disadvantage into an advantage,” De Bruyne said. “When I reflect on my career, playing the last 10 years non-stop with a short break, maybe it was good for me to reset a little bit in a way and take care of myself when it is not really possible during the year.

    “I hoped I could work hard and come back in a good way and I feel that I’m doing that but obviously I need to progress.” De Bruyne missed 27 games before returning to the squad for the 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Dec. 30.

    He got his first minutes against Huddersfield and afterwards admitted it was good to be back, if only because he’s not a fan of watching games on TV. “I can watch whatever football and I watched every game but I don’t like it,” he said. “They’ve obviously been alright.

    After the year we had last year, there will be ups and downs but in most of the games except for Aston Villa and maybe Wolves, we did fairly well. We are there with the other teams. “If you’re here with all the teams around, you’re not going to be far away. We are where we need to be, but we need to try and continue that.”

  • Guardiola plans to add Club World Cup to Manchester City’s trophy haul

    Guardiola plans to add Club World Cup to Manchester City’s trophy haul

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is eager to “close a little circle” by adding the Club World Cup to the club’s trophy collection.

    After achieving a historic Treble last season, winning the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup, City is in Saudi Arabia for the global competition.

    The team faces Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final in Jeddah on Tuesday, with the aim of reaching the final on Friday, and City is considered the overwhelming favorites for the tournament.

    Guardiola said: “It’s a pleasure to be here, it’s an honour. 

    “It’s the first time Man City are here. That shows how difficult it is. We won’t take it for granted. We take it as a privilege. 

    “Of course, we want to win it. It is a trophy we don’t have. We want to close a little circle, that we have won all the trophies we could do. This is the last one. 

    “I don’t know if we’ll have another chance. Maybe it is a once in a lifetime. It is difficult to be here. 

    “I think the players know it and we are going to try to perform well tomorrow.”

    Manchester City’s recent form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last six Premier League games. Their latest disappointing result occurred on Saturday when they conceded two late goals, resulting in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

    This outcome left them five points behind league leaders Arsenal. Despite the concerns about results, manager Pep Guardiola expressed that he is not worried about the team’s performances.

    He said: “We would prefer better results but, except the Aston Villa game, our performances were excellent. 

    “We have to improve how we finish our games, be more aware of what we have to do in certain moments but hopefully we can maintain our level of passion and desire to play at a high level with and without the ball against Urawa.”

  • Disappointed Pep fumes they deserved the loss after careless play with Crystal Palace

    Disappointed Pep fumes they deserved the loss after careless play with Crystal Palace

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola strongly criticised his team for their negligent defending and an unnecessary late-game penalty that led to a costly 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday, asserting that they earned the result.

    “It’s not bad luck; it’s deserved,” an angry Guardiola told reporters after the game. “We give away two points. When you give away this penalty, you deserve it. You see the chances we created and conceded—it’s quite similar to all this season—but we are not able to close the games. That is the feeling.”

    City has displayed an unusual vulnerability recently, enduring a six-game

    win. Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis found the net in the first half at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. However, Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back for Palace, and Michael Olise converted a penalty in the 95th minute after Phil Foden fouled Mateta in the box.

    The draw left the treble winners in fourth place in the tightly contested title race with 34 points.

    However, City has played one more game than the three teams above them: Liverpool, who top the table with 37 points, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, all scheduled to play on Sunday.

    “At the end, be patient, don’t concede transitions and don’t concede,” Guardiola said of the disappointing result.”But of course, in the first action (Palace) run and score a goal and in the last minute, we give them (a penalty). In the 18-yard box, you have to be careful and we weren’t. We don’t deserve to win.”

    Grealish cut a dejected figure after the game

    City has relinquished nine points this season due to conceding goals after the 80th minute.

    Compounding the team’s challenges is the absence of the league’s top scorer, Erling Haaland, who has missed two consecutive Premier League games with a stress reaction in his foot that could potentially progress into a more severe stress fracture.

    The 23-year-old striker has amassed 14 league goals this season.

  • Haaland to miss match against Luton Town in Premier League for Manchester City

    Haaland to miss match against Luton Town in Premier League for Manchester City

    Erling Haaland is not playing for Manchester City against Luton Town because he is injured.

    The 23-year-old has played in all 15 of Manchester City’s Premier League games this season and scored 14 goals. But he won’t be playing in the game against the Hatters, according to The Athletic.

    Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports that the issue is a problem with bone stress in his feet. After the last game against Aston Villa, he felt this way and he can’t play.

    He said he doesn’t know how bad the injury is. “We will wait and see what happens each week and each day. ”

    Manchester City have most of their players available, but Kevin De Bruyne is still out with an injury.

    Jeremy Doku has a small muscle injury and might be able to play on Sunday at Kenilworth Road, but he might not be allowed to play to avoid making the injury worse.

    Manchester City are expected to win against Luton, even though their top goal scorer is not playing. If they win, they will be only four points behind Liverpool in the league.

    A win would bring City closer to the teams at the top of the league, narrowing the gap to just four points between them and the other top teams like Arsenal and Aston Villa. Currently, City is in fourth place in the league.

    After playing at Luton on Wednesday, Manchester City will play against Red Star in the Champions League next.

    Haaland may not play in the game because his team has already secured first place and they don’t want to take any chances with his health.

  • Pep appears unconcerned as Man City’s winless stint wage on

    Pep appears unconcerned as Man City’s winless stint wage on

    Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, reassured that the team’s longest winless run in the Premier League in six years should not be a cause for alarm following their thrilling 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

    Despite Jack Grealish’s 81st-minute goal seemingly securing victory for the champions, Dejan Kulusevski’s header in the 90th minute resulted in City’s third successive draw.

    Guardiola and his team expressed frustration when a potential game-winning moment involving Grealish was halted by referee Simon Hooper, who had initially allowed the advantage but later called a foul on Erling Haaland in the build-up.

    After the intense match, City found themselves in third place in the standings, trailing leaders Arsenal by three points and one point behind Liverpool.

    Guardiola, having regained his composure after a heated closing stage, downplayed concerns despite City conceding eight goals in their last three Premier League games and two in the midweek Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.

    “The performance was quite similar to what we have done lately,” Guardiola told a press conference. “The people say you’re concerned about goals you concede, of course but the chances we concede, no.

    “It’s not the first time we are in this situation where we are playing well but results don’t come.”

    Of the late controversy, Guardiola refused to blame the decision for his side’s failure to win.

    “I make mistakes; the players make mistakes,” Guardiola said. “It surprised me because when Erling went down, if you whistle, then it’s fine but when he stands up and continues and the ref makes the gesture to play on, then after he makes the pass, he stops the game.

    “After (Haaland) made the pass, he stopped the game. I don’t want to criticise them. On the touchline, sometimes I lose my mind; my gesture was not proper.

    “I would say we didn’t draw for that. They are happy, Tottenham for the point. We are less happy but the performance is similar to what we have done lately.”

    Injury-plagued Tottenham halted a three-match losing streak in the league, and manager Ange Postecoglou expressed optimism that his team is emerging from a challenging period that commenced with a loss to Chelsea.

    Numerous injuries and suspensions have disrupted his side following an impressive start to the season.

    However, Sunday’s draw against City is expected to boost team morale as they approach Thursday’s home clash with West Ham United.

    Postecoglou is hopeful that the resilient performance against City signals a turning point for Tottenham, despite the setbacks they’ve faced in recent matches.

    “I always feel that if you can get through these tough periods by staying true to the team you want to be, then you come out of it stronger, irrespective of the knocks you get along the way,” the Australian said.

  • Man City make comeback 3-2 win over RB Leipzig

    Man City make comeback 3-2 win over RB Leipzig

    Manchester City secured a comeback victory at the Etihad, with goals from Erling Haaland, Phil Foden (named Player of the Match), and Julian Alvarez.

    This triumph not only earned all three points but also guaranteed Manchester City the top spot in Group G, ensuring their place in the Round of 16 as the seeded team.

    Despite going into halftime 2-0 down due to a double from Lois Openda, a strategic substitution, bringing in Jeremy Doku, proved instrumental. The tide began to turn when Erling Haaland scored on 54 minutes, making him the fastest player to reach 40 Champions League goals.

    Phil Foden, with a significant impact, leveled the score on 70 minutes. The team, then pushing for a winner, found success through substitute Julian Alvarez, who concluded a remarkable 18-pass sequence to secure the victory. The result highlighted the resilience and skill of Manchester City in overcoming a halftime deficit.

  • Phil Foden is the most asked of City star by Messi – Sergio Aguero

    Phil Foden is the most asked of City star by Messi – Sergio Aguero


    Lionel Messi reportedly     expressed astonishment at the early promise displayed by Phil Foden during his breakthrough at Manchester City.

    Foden made his debut under Pep Guardiola in 2017 at the age of 17 in a UEFA Champions League match against Feyenoord.

    Recognised as one of the world’s premier young talents, Foden has secured 15 major titles, including the Champions League, within five years.

    Despite being a key player for Guardiola, Foden has occasionally played second-fiddle to Kevin De Bruyne.

    This season, he has seen increased playing time due to De Bruyne’s hamstring injury in the opening game against Burnley.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRAQIsLun4o

    Messi, having noticed Foden’s potential, inquired about the young English international’s abilities in training from his compatriot Sergio Aguero.

    Aguero, a close friend of Messi, played alongside Foden for approximately four years before moving from Manchester to Barcelona.

    While Messi and Foden share similarities in playing style and creativity, Messi maintains a clear advantage in terms of goal-scoring.

    This season, Foden has contributed to nine goals for Manchester City.

    In a related context, Kylian Mbappe’s endorsement of Messi for the Ballon d’Or sparked controversy, with some fans advocating for Erling Haaland.

    Messi ultimately won the award, leading by 105 points over Haaland, with many considering the young striker a future contender.

  • Trent Alexander-Arnold addresses issue of Liverpool goal celebrations

    Trent Alexander-Arnold addresses issue of Liverpool goal celebrations

    Trent Alexander-Arnold said he was happy that Manchester City fans liked his celebration after scoring a goal in Liverpool’s game against them.

    Erling Haaland scored a goal in the first half because the goalkeeper didn’t do a good job and the defense was too giving. It looked like it would help City win their 24th game in a row at home.

    Pep Guardiola’s team had many opportunities to score more goals but couldn’t. They were unlucky when Ruben Dias had a goal disallowed because of a foul by Manuel Akanji on Alisson Becker.

    After getting away from trouble, Liverpool scored a goal that lifted their spirits when Alexander-Arnold ran towards the goal, got a pass from Mohamad Salah, and quickly kicked the ball past Ederson from outside the penalty area.

    The player from England scored an important goal and celebrated by standing in front of the home fans and making a gesture to quiet them down which made the fans upset.

    “I remembered getting the ball from Darwin,” Alexander-Arnold said. I felt that there were people in the way, so I tried to kick the ball into the goal. Luckily, it went into the bottom corner, which is just what we needed. It was about making it across the finish line and earning that one point.

    “It’s nice to celebrate in front of fans from the other team because you see different people and it’s fun. ”

    Alexander-Arnold said it was good to stop City from winning at their home even though Liverpool didn’t play very well. We haven’t had a lot of good results here. We got one point. We didn’t do great, but at least we got one point. We had some good things happen – we had opportunities to win the game.

    “We didn’t play very well. ” Their structure and the way they organized really made it difficult for us. We talked and made a plan during the break to try to put more pressure on the other team when we went back onto the field. Playing against Man City is hard because you can’t stay close to them or give them space.

    They might have had a plan to stop me from getting the ball in the middle of the field. I think Bernado Silva was very near me when I was moving towards the inside. It was about finding ways to move the ball and move forward on the field. “We did really good in the second half. ”

    We needed the point and it makes us believe that even if we don’t play well, getting a point means we’re doing something right.

  • Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold salvages point in their tie with Manchester City

    Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold salvages point in their tie with Manchester City

    Trent Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool get a tie against Manchester City on Saturday. The game ended in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad stadium.

    Erling Haaland scored his 50th goal in the Premier League in the first half. Then, with 10 minutes left, Mohamed Salah helped Alexander-Arnold score, and the game ended in a tie.

    City is in first place in the Premier League with 29 points, followed by Liverpool with 28 points. Arsenal is in third place with 27 points, but they can move to first place if they win against Brentford later on Saturday.

    City was in control at the beginning and looked like they could score, especially on the right side of Liverpool’s defense where Jeremy Doku was causing trouble. Then, Phil Foden shot the ball towards the goal, but it was easily caught by Alisson.

    Liverpool had a good opportunity to score after 15 minutes when Salah passed the ball to Darwin Nunez, but the goalkeeper Ederson saved his header. This helped Liverpool play better with their fast counter-attacks.

    The city team almost scored when Curtis Jones passed the ball back to the goalkeeper, but Liverpool managed to recover before they could take the lead.

    In the 28th minute, Haaland scored his 50th goal in the Premier League in just 48 games, which is the fastest any player has done in the competition. This happened after Alisson made a mistake with the ball and Nathan Ake passed it to Haaland for the goal.

    Liverpool tried really hard to score before half-time, but they didn’t make it. City kept trying to score, and Alisson had to stop a strong shot from Foden. The score was still 1-0 at halftime.

    After the game started again, Julian Alvarez had a good opportunity to score a second goal for City. Doku got past Alexis Mac Allister and passed the ball to Alvarez, but he missed the shot over the crossbar from 15 yards away.

    Haaland took a shot that went over the bar. Then Ruben Dias scored a goal, but it was not allowed because there was a foul. The referee checked the play with VAR and decided to disallow the goal.

    Both teams had more opportunities to score. Nunez’s shot was stopped by Ederson, and Salah passed to Alexander-Arnold who scored a goal from 20 yards away.

    That made the away fans go crazy as Alexander-Arnold told the City fans to be quiet while celebrating.

    Klopp’s team and Pep Guardiola’s team both tried to win at the end, but the game at the Etihad Stadium ended in a 1-1 tie. Arsenal might be the biggest winners because they can move to the top of the standings if they beat Brentford.

  • Guardiola promises to remain at Manchester City

    Guardiola promises to remain at Manchester City

    Pep Guardiola demands he will remain with Manchester City regardless of whether they are in ‘Association One’ in the midst of hypothesis the club will be seriously rebuffed for supposedly defying monetary norms.

    City are as of now having to deal with penalties from the Head Association concerning 115 claimed breaks of their Monetary Fair Play rules.

    Last week, Everton were given a 10-point derivation for disrupting the association’s monetary norms, and many are currently considering what discipline the Residents will get on the off chance that they are seen as blameworthy.

    Considering what the Toffees got, there has been idea they could be consigned from the first class, a staggering blow for the club that has ruled English football for a significant part of the last 10 years.

    Should that occur, it’s difficult to envision a considerable lot of their elite players will need to remain at the Emirates however Guardiola has consistently demanded he would stay with the side regardless.

    He multiplied down on this during his pre-match question and answer session on Friday, and furthermore hit out at those hypothesizing over the matter, guaranteeing that they were being decided as liable before the decision from the Chief Association has even come in.

    ‘Hold on until it’s chosen, and I’ll let you know then,’ the supervisor said when gotten some information about the matter in front of the immense conflict against Liverpool on Saturday.

    ‘You’re addressing me like we have been rebuffed. Right now, we’re honest. There is more possibility I will remain assuming we are in Association One than if we win the Bosses Association.

    ‘I realize individuals are saying, “For what reason don’t City go to the Meeting”. Be that as it may, we should stand by.

    ‘I won’t say single word regarding Everton on the grounds that I don’t have a clue about the truth of what occurred. It’s two distinct cases, it’s not something similar. One of them is longer, it’s more convoluted.

    ‘For what reason would it be a good idea for me not accept [we are innocent]? It’s the legal counselors to make the safeguard before the appointed authority. I didn’t change my viewpoint, we pause and after we acknowledge the goals.’

  • David Raya supports Mikel Arteta over Aaron Ramsdale’s father’s criticism

    David Raya supports Mikel Arteta over Aaron Ramsdale’s father’s criticism

    David Raya has supported Mikel Arteta‘s choice to introduce him as Munititions stockpile’s No.1 goalkeeper in the midst of analysis from the dad of his opponent Aaron Ramsdale.

    The mid year marking from Brentford usurped the Britain worldwide recently and, notwithstanding a few high-profile mistakes, seems to hold the unequivocal support of his supervisor.

    Ramsdale, in the mean time, has been restricted to appearances in the Carabao Cup since Raya’s advancement and has conceded he has begun to worry about his possibilities being remembered for the Three Lions crew for Euro 2024.

    The previous Sheffield Joined together and Bournemouth star’s objective was probably not going to be progressed by a meeting given by his father last week in which he blamed Arteta for misusing of the circumstance concerning his goalkeepers.

    Ramsdale will get an intriguing an open door to dazzle between the sticks this evening with Raya ineligible to confront his parent club Brentford according to the details of his credit bargain, and Raya will be willing his partner to do well no matter what the analysis he and Arteta have confronted.

    Aaron Ramsdale will begin a Chief Association game interestingly since September 3 when Munititions stockpile take on Brentford

    ‘Everybody has their perspective,’ Raya let the Day to day Mail know when gotten some information about the consistent discussions over who ought to be Armory’s No.1.

    ‘To discuss let them. I have a generally excellent relationship with Aaron and the two of us are there to help the group. In the end the director picks who plays.’

    Arteta, himself, was straightforwardly gotten some information about Ramsdale Snr’s remarks at his pre-match question and answer session and said: ‘Aaron, and any player who is playing short of what he needed, there are numerous sadly in a changing area of 24 players, their way of behaving that we request and we expect is to challenge and make each other better continually.

    ‘Continuously have the reason and capacity to conquer what is happening and play and show with realities that you need to play, and you need to play more and how off-base I am and [think] ‘what might I do for the group when it is vital?’.

    ‘Aaron has had that mentality consistently since I have been here.’

  • Bid to obstruct transfers between associated clubs end in jeopardy

    Bid to obstruct transfers between associated clubs end in jeopardy

    Efforts to introduce a temporary ban on Premier League sides loaning players from associated clubs have failed to garner enough support at Tuesday’s shareholders’ meeting, sources have told ESPN.

    Although the Premier League refused to confirm exact numbers, ESPN has been told the vote ban for such loans was 13-7 in favour, falling one short of the threshold of 14 required to pass.

    It means that Newcastle United are free to sign players from clubs also owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in January.

    Newcastle’s Saudi-led takeover was completed in October 2021 and PIF now runs four of the country’s leading clubs: Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli and Al Hilal.

    Eddie Howe’s side has been linked with a move for Rúben Neves from Al Hilal after Sandro Tonali received a 10-month ban for breaking gambling rules.

    There are a total of 11 Premier League clubs that have similar associations, including Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

  • Return to Benfica still lingers in Silva’s thoughts

    Return to Benfica still lingers in Silva’s thoughts

    Bernardo Silva has conveyed his aspiration to eventually return and play for Benfica.

    Despite ongoing transfer rumours linking the 29-year-old Manchester City midfielder with a move to Barcelona in multiple transfer windows, Silva opted for a contract extension in the summer, committing to remain at the Etihad Stadium until June 2026.

    Asked about a return to Benfica, he told Record: “I want it. If the club wants me at the time, obviously things will happen.”


    A product of Benfica’s youth system, Silva departed the Portuguese club after making only three first-team appearances, opting to join Monaco in August 2014.

    Following a successful stint in France, the Portuguese international made a move to Manchester City in the summer of 2017 in a £43.5 million transfer.

  • Pep update on Haaland’s injury as City’s ‘goal scoring machine’ limps off pitch

    Pep update on Haaland’s injury as City’s ‘goal scoring machine’ limps off pitch

    Erling Haaland suffered an injury and had to be substituted at half-time during Manchester City’s match against Bournemouth, despite their dominant 6-1 victory in the Premier League on Saturday.

    Haaland’s exit from the game raised concerns among Cityzens as he limped off the field following a collision on the ground.

    Nathan Ake, Haaland’s teammate, expressed uncertainty about the striker’s condition after the match but hoped that the injury wasn’t too severe.

    Pep Guardiola later provided an update on Haaland’s injury status, acknowledging that he might miss the upcoming Champions League fixture in midweek.

    “Twist in the ankle; we didn’t want to take risks with him; he didn’t feel comfortable,” he said. “He’ll be back, maybe Tuesday, but maybe next Sunday.”

    Jeremy Doku, Manchester City’s recent acquisition, had a remarkable performance against Bournemouth and achieved two Premier League records.

    By contributing four assists and scoring a goal, the Belgian winger, at just 21 years and 161 days old, became the youngest player in Premier League history to record five goal involvements in a single game.

    He also set a record as the youngest player to provide four assists in a single match.

    With three victories in their first three Champions League matches, Pep Guardiola might consider giving the star from Borussia Dortmund some rest during their midweek fixture against Young Boys.

  • Manchester City mull bid for Man Utd youngster Kobbie Mainoo – Reports

    Manchester City mull bid for Man Utd youngster Kobbie Mainoo – Reports

    Manchester City is considering a move for teenager Kobbie Mainoo, who currently plays for their rival club, Manchester United, according to reports.

    Mainoo, a UK-born Ghanaian with Ghanaian heritage, is highly regarded in English football and recently received praise for his performance, which included two assists, with Manchester City’s Under-21 team.

    The talented midfielder had previously impressed during pre-season and was named the man of the match in a friendly game against Arsenal, though he later suffered an injury setback.

    However, he has since recovered, and Manchester City is reportedly interested in signing him, despite the rivalry between the two clubs, as per Four Four Two.

    The report doesn’t indicate whether Manchester United would be open to considering an offer from their fierce rivals.

    Furthermore, the potential transfer fee remains unknown.

    The interest from Manchester City is partly attributed to their commitment to nurturing young and talented players, while Manchester United is facing financial constraints due to financial fair play regulations.

    Mainoo, who hails from Stockport, made his senior debut for Manchester United last season in the Carabao Cup match against Charlton.

    He also played a significant role in the academy’s victory in the FA Youth Cup. The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Leicester City.

    Notably, Mainoo has only made one appearance for Manchester United but has already contributed two assists during that time.