Tag: Manchester City

29Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Manchester City’s Rodri wins Men’s Ballon D’Or award as Real Madrid boycott ceremony

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri receives the Ballon d'Or award during the 2024 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024. Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the men's Ballon d'Or on Monday after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024, but Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony. The decision to award the prize for the world's best player to the deep-lying midfielder came as a surprise, with Real Madrid's Liga and Champions League double winner Vinicius Junior widely seen as the pre-ceremony favorite. Hours before the festivities in Paris, the Spanish club announced its delegation would not attend the ceremony at Chatelet Theatre because of what it perceived as a snub of Vinicius. R...

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28Oct By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

Manchester City, PSG plot raid on Barcelona for €30 million-rated star

Inaki Pena of FC Barcelona with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen on signing 25-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena. According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are hoping to sign 25-year-old goalkeeper Inaki Pena from La Liga outfit Barcelona, and they would have to pay €30 million for him. There is no doubt that both clubs have the financial muscle to get the deal done, and it will be interesting to see if they follow up on their interest with an official offer to sign the Spanish goalkeeper. Inalki Pena is not a key player for Barcelona, and he won’t be a regular sta...

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27Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola issues Man City reality check despite Liverpool vs Arsenal title race bonus

Manchester City's Manager Josep Guardiola during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Southampton FC at Etihad Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. Pep Guardiola will settle down on Sunday afternoon to watch Liverpool take on Arsenal knowing his Manchester City side are top of the Premier League. City beat Southampton on Saturday to leapfrog Liverpool at the top of the Premier League ahead of the leaders travelling to third-placed Arsenal on Sunday. Elsewhere on Saturday, Aston Villa and Brighton moved up places in the top five but were both held and Guardiola says the results so far this season prove that nothing can be taken for granted - especially after seeing City given two tough contests against the bottom two sides in the last week. "I will watch...

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25Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola: Manchester City missing key quartet for Southampton game

  Pep Guardiola has confirmed Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku all remain unavailable for Saturday’s home Premier League game against Southampton. Guardiola, who named only 15 outfield players in his squad for this week’s Champions League win against Sparta Prague, also admitted he had no idea when De Bruyne would return to contention. When asked if De Bruyne and Walker were available, Guardiola said: “No, not yet.” And when pressed on whether De Bruyne’s extended absence due to a thigh injury was a concern, Guardiola added: “Yes of course. I’d prefer to have all the squad (fit) with the amount of games, but it is what it is. “Hopefully he can come back soon. I don’t know (when) yet. I would like to tell you, but I don’t know.” Playmaker De Bruyne has been out si...

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15Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City target Rúben Amorim as next manager if Pep Guardiola leaves

Manchester City are strongly considering the Sporting Lisbon head coach Rúben Amorim as their next manager if Pep Guardiola leaves when his contract expires at the end of the season. Guardiola said last weekend that “anything can happen” in terms of his future. The importance of City having a succession plan is clear and the link with Amorim, regarded as one of the best young managers in Europe, is understandable. The 39-year-old is a close ally of Hugo Viana, who will take over from Txiki Begiristain as City’s director of football next summer. The desire for a smooth transition means Viana, who has been at Sporting since 2018, will collaborate with Begiristain before the 60-year-old retires at the end of the season. There is the prospect of an immediate recruitment challenge given that G...

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6Oct By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

Man City working to sign Serie A midfielder

Premier League champions Manchester City came from behind to beat Fulham 3-2 on Saturday afternoon. Andreas Pereira had given the Cottagers a surprise lead at The Etihad, before a Mateo Kovacic brace put the hosts in front. Jeremy Doku then added a third for the Citizens, before Rodrigo Muniz pulled another back for Marco Silva’s side. Fulham were unable to find an equaliser, though, and the victory puts City second in the table, behind leaders Liverpool. Kovacic is likely to be used regularly by manager Pep Guardiola with Rodri set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season, but in the meantime it appears City are attempting to sign a Serie A midfielder. As reported by Football Insider, City are laying the foundations to make a move for Atalanta’s Ederson. The Brazilian – who has bee...

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5Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Kovacic at the double as Man City edge Fulham

Mateo Kovacic staked his claim to fill the void left by Rodri with two goals as Manchester City came from behind to beat Fulham 3-2.   The champions were stunned as Andreas Pereira fired Fulham ahead after 26 minutes of Saturday's Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium and the visitors should have had more. Past tormentor Adama Traore, scorer of three goals when Wolves did the double over City five seasons ago, was the guilty party, spurning a hatful of gilt-edged chances. Kovacic, filling in for the injured Rodri, made them pay with a double either side of half-time and substitute Jeremy Doku secured victory with a stunning strike before a Rodrigo Muniz consolation. Questions have been asked over how City will cope without the influential Rodri in midfiel...

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1Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Champions League

Manchester City stroll past Slovan Bratislava for first Champions League win

TOPSHOT - Manchester City's Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland (2L) and team mates vie for the ball with Slovan Bratislava's players during the UEFA Champions League football match between SK Slovan Bratislava and Manchester City in Bratislava, Slovakia on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP) (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images) Manchester City eased to their first victory of this season’s Champions League as they brushed Slovan Bratislava aside 4-0 in Slovakia on Tuesday. Early goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden put them in command before Erling Haaland’s 42nd goal in 41 appearances in the competition and another from substitute James McAtee added the gloss. City also hit the woodwork three times in a dominant performance that added impetus to their campaign after...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City Draws to Newcastle United, Drops Points in Consecutive Games

Manchester City was held to a 1–1 draw against Newcastle United at St. James' Park after an Ederson challenge resulted in an Anthony Gordon penalty. Saturday marks the first time since Dec. 2023 that City has dropped points in consecutive Premier League games. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Manchester City FC at St James' Park on September 28, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) Pep Guardiola's side last dropped points in back-to-back outings when it side drew to Tottenham Hotspur and lost to Aston Villa last season. City nearly lost to Arsenal last weekend at the Etihad Stadium if not for a John...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

TRANSFERS

Man City ‘planning move’ for Barcelona star as Catalan outfit ‘reach agreement’

Manchester City are reportedly planning to move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong next year, with a deal during the January transfer window not being ruled out. Frenkie de Jong is presenting the 2024-25 FC Barcelona squad at the Luis Companys Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on August 12, 2024. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images) The Citizens are expected to enter the winter market for a new central midfielder, having been hit with the news that Rodri will be out for the remainder of the campaign with a serious knee injury. Torino's Samuele Ricci has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, but according to Fichajes, De Jong is also firmly on the Manchester club's radar. The 27-year-old's contract at Camp Nou is due to expire in June 2026, ...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City issue Rodri injury statement as Pep Guardiola faces ‘problem’

Manchester City have revealed Rodri has suffered ligament damage to his right knee - although the full extent of the injury remains unclear. The midfielder has been in Spain this week consulting specialists after limping off during the first half of City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. A statement on mancity.com read: "Manchester City can confirm that Rodri has suffered a ligament injury to his right knee. The injury was sustained during the first half of this weekend's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League. "The midfielder travelled to Spain to seek specialist consultation this week, following initial tests in Manchester. Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and mancity.com ...

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23Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Rodri out for the season with ACL injury sustained in Man City’s draw against Arsenal

Rodri will miss the rest of Manchester City's season with an ACL injury he suffered against Arsenal, talkSPORT understands. The midfielder was substituted in the 21st minute of the 2-2 draw on Sunday after planting his foot in an awkward position on the pitch. He was able to hobble off the pitch but the Spaniard is said to have torn cruciate ligaments as per initial tests. It means it's very likely that this will spell the end of his season in what is a huge blow to City after initial optimism he wouldn't be out for a lengthy period. The extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed by City, who are bidding for an unprecedented fifth straight Premier League title. Speaking after the match, City boss Pep Guardiola revealed he didn't know how bad the 28-year-old's injury was. Guardiola said: "...

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23Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City rise above Arsenal’s tactics to salvage a point

Manchester City and Arsenal played out an entertaining 2-all draw at the Etihad yesterday. The Premier League encounter between the two teams had no shortage of talking points across the 90 minutes. But come the final whistle City had risen above Arsenal’s tactics to salvage a point from the match. But in doing so they showed the mettle that has served them so well in previous seasons to claim the past four Premier League titles. One talking point to come out of the game was the tactical approach employed by Mikel Arteta and his team. Arsenal were determined to frustrate Manchester City across the full 90 minutes. Even when the game was 11 versus 11 Arsenal employed tactics that were designed to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side. When they could Arsenal would disrupt the rhythm of...

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21Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Blow for Pep: “Unique” Man City star now in danger of missing Arsenal game after injury news

As Manchester City gear up for a game that could prove to make all the difference in the Premier League title race, they could be forced to fight for three points without one of their most influential players. Man City injury news Ask any previous title winner and they'll say that injury luck certainly plays its part where the silverware ends up come the end of the campaign. It is a lesson centred around squad depth that so many sides have learned in the past and one Manchester City took on board the last time they missed out on Premier League glory in the 2019/20 season. Unlike that campaign four years ago, Manchester City have so far not skipped a beat in pursuit of a fifth Premier League title win in a row to extend an unprecedented record and further cement themselves among the very b...

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19Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Champions League

Man City blunted by ‘giant performance’ Inter in Champions League stalemate

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi praised his team's "giant performance" after holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in their Champions League opener. The expanded tournament format, designed to pit Europe’s top clubs against each other more frequently, saw both sides start their campaigns with a hard-fought stalemate. Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi said the Italian champions produced a "giant performance" to leave Manchester City frustrated in a 0-0 draw to begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday. One of the selling points of the new expanded Champions League format was to bring together the continent's elite teams more often before the knockout stage. A repeat of the 2023 final, won 1-0 by City, did little to set the pulses racing, but Inter will feel they should have inflict...

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17Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Jorginho: Arsenal unfazed by Haaland’s form

Arsenal players are unfazed by Manchester City striker Erling Haaland's goal-scoring rampage, midfielder Jorginho said vouching for the north London side's confidence ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with City. City have had a perfect campaign in the league so far, while Arsenal secured three wins and a draw. Fresh off nine goals in four league games, including two hat tricks, Haaland has scored 99 goals from 103 appearances for City across all competitions. The Norway striker will aim for his century in Wednesday's Champions League clash against Inter Milan, while Arsenal begin their European campaign at Atalanta on Thursday and prepare to meet City at the Etihad on the Sunday. "Erling scoring again ... it is starting to make us laugh," the 32-year-old Italian said. "We look because...

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11Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City injury update: Ake and Foden latest news and return dates

Manchester City resume their Premier League campaign at home to Brentford on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side have won their opening three games of the season and will be strong favourites to extend that to four this weekend. City, who have something of a habit of starting the season relatively slowly, do not appear to have skipped a beat over the course of the summer break. Erling Haaland is in fine fettle and many of their stars involved at Euro 2024 are yet to hit their straps, which is a terrifying prospect for their title rivals. Still, the fixtures will soon pile up thick and fast, so Guardiola will no doubt need his whole squad available. With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Manchester City injuries…. Nathan Ake Nathan Ake was forced off during the clash between the Ne...

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10Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ilkay Gundogan has ‘told’ Pep Guardiola who Man City should sign out of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz

Ilkay Gundogan has already made his feelings clear on who Manchester City should sign out of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Over the last couple of seasons, youngsters Musiala and Wirtz have developed into two of the biggest talents in world football. Musiala has impressed playing for Bayern Munich and has since nailed down a regular starting role for Germany. Meanwhile, Wirtz played a big role in Bayer Leverkusen’s journey to becoming Bundesliga champions last season. Both players have also been linked with Premier League clubs such as City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. Speaking during EURO 2024, Gundogan, who made a return to City last month, was full of praise for Musiala. As reported by Hayters, the midfielder said: “For me, he’s incredible. “It’s such a joy to pl...

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3Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd make decision on sacking Erik ten Hag after Liverpool loss as chiefs speak out

Manchester United reportedly have no plans to sack manager Erik ten Hag despite Sunday’s harrowing 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. The defeat leaves United 14th in the Premier League with just three points from their opening three games, with the pressure already piling on the Dutchman.Ten Hag had been widely expected to leave this role at the end of 2023/24 campaign, only for the club to trigger a one-year clause in his contract, extending his deal until 2026. That followed United’s surprise win over neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but Ten Hag himself has admitted the club did hold talks with Thomas Tuchel before deciding to stick with him. And Express Sport understands the 54-year-old will be given time to address his side’s poor form. Having spent more than £175million on...

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2Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Bajkowski: Pep Guardiola expects Phil Foden call after Man City illness

Pep Guardiola does not expect Phil Foden to be called up for England duty after missing two Manchester City matches with illness. Foden has been named in Lee Carsley's squad for UEFA Nations League games with Ireland and Finland over the next 10 days, but has been sidelined with pains in his stomach. The 24-year-old felt some discomfort after the match against Chelsea two weeks ago and was not involved in either of the wins over Ipswich or West Ham. City's staff do not think the issue is serious and there is an expectation that he will be ready for the home game against Brentford in a fortnight, but Guardiola would be surprised to see Foden playing for England before then. Despite his international call-up, he has been unavailable for his club for the last two fixtures. "He doesn't feel...

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