Manchester City FC | 2024/25 Season

[Cricket Warrior]

Guardiola ‘given money’ for Man City to sign Real star ‘who nearly joined Liverpool’

Man City have made funds available for Pep Guardiola to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Liverpool are also in the running to sign the 24-year-old midfielder in the upcoming transfer windows.

The Reds had attempted to bring him to Anfield before his £85.3million move to Los Blancos from Monaco in 2022 but were beaten to the deal.

A January move is currently considered unlikely for either club as Carlo Ancelotti is reluctant to weaken his squad mid-season while they want to remain competitive across all competitions.

Tchouameni has established himself as a regular feature of the Madrid team so far this seaon, making 22 appearances across all competition including five in the Champions League.

Despite this, both Man City and Liverpool believe they could tempt him to make the move to England, with a move more likely to take place in the summer.

Guardiola 'given money' for Man City to sign Real star 'who nearly joined Liverpool'

Pep Guardiola has been 'given money' for Man City to sign Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, who 'nearly joined Liverpool'.

www.footballinsider247.com

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Palmeiras' teenage defender Vitor Reis.

City have been in negotiations with the Brazilian club for a number of weeks and, after some resistance, have finally made a breakthrough in talks which the Premier League club believe will lead to 19-year-old Reis eventually joining them.

Palmeiras had hoped to keep Reis for next summer's Club World Cup.

However, City sources believe if the deal, which is reported to be for £29.4m, is eventually concluded, Reis will join them immediately.

A Brazil under-17 international, Reis has made 18 league appearances for Palmeiras.

A right-footed central defender, it is intended Reis will form part of a reshaping of Pep Guardiola's squad that is also planned to include Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, while talks are continuing with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal for striker Omar Marmoush.

Source: BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Man City keen on Juventus full-back Cambiaso

Manchester City are interested in signing Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso.

But City sources say talks are not as advanced as reports in Italy are suggesting and there is no guarantee a transfer will be completed this month.

However, Pep Guardiola is keen to bring in an orthodox left-back, something City have not had since Benjamin Mendy, who was suspended and subsequently released after serious sexual allegations were made against him. The Frenchman was cleared in 2023.

Cambiaso, 24, joined Juventus from Genoa in 2022, where he came up through the youth ranks.

The Italy international, who has also played at right-back, spent a season on loan at Bologna before becoming a first-team regular for Juventus. Last summer he came off the bench in three of the national team's four matches at Euro 2024.

Cambiaso has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Juventus this term, scoring twice and providing two assists.

He missed his side's 2-0 Champions League win over City in December with an ankle issue.

City are having an unusually busy January, with Brazilian teenager Vitor Reis flying in for a medical to complete his move from Palmeiras.

The Premier League champions are yet to confirm they have signed Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov even though they have agreed a €40m (£33.6m) fee with Lens for the 20-year-old.

City also remain in discussions with German club Eintracht Frankfurt over their striker Omar Marmoush.

However, Frankfurt officials are adamant there has been no agreement over the Egypt forward, 25, and the Bundesliga side are planning for him to be involved in Friday's game with Borussia Dortmund.

City captain Kyle Walker could leave the club after Guardiola revealed the England right-back, 34, had asked to "explore other options".


BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Man City reach verbal agreement to sign Marmoush

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.

Sources have told the BBC a verbal agreement has been reached between the clubs but the transfer has not yet been completed.

The 25-year-old Egypt international has scored 15 Bundesliga goals this season.

Marmoush joined Eintracht on a free transfer from fellow Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in 2023.

Manchester City are expected to soon complete the signing of Brazilian teenage defender Vitor Reis, who is flying in for a medical to complete his move from Palmeiras.

The club are also interested in signing Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso, though City sources say talks are not as advanced as reports in Italy are suggesting and there is no guarantee a transfer will be completed this month.

Cambiaso, 24, joined Juventus from Genoa in 2022, and this season has made 25 appearances, scoring twice and providing two assists.

The Premier League champions are yet to confirm they have signed Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov, after agreeing a £33.6m fee with Lens for the 20-year-old.

Omar Marmoush: Man City reach verbal agreement to sign Egypt forward

Manchester City reach a verbal agreement to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's Egypt forward Omar Marmoush.

www.bbc.com

 

[hassan918]

Man City sign Lens defender Khusanov until 2029​

Manchester City have signed Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov on a four-and-a-half-year contract until 2029.

Club sources say the fee for the 20-year-old is 40m euros (£33.6m) plus add-ons.

French side Lens only paid 100,000 euros (£84,000) for Khusanov from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU 18 months ago.

However, he has developed rapidly and made 16 appearances for the Ligue 1 side this season, scoring his first goal for the club in a French Cup tie with Paris St-Germain in December.

Khusanov has 18 caps for Uzbekistan and will become the first player from the country to play in the Premier League.

"This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can't wait to meet them and play alongside them," said Khusanov.

"And of course Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more."

Txiki Begiristain, City's director of football, said Khusanov is already "very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick".

Guardiola is strengthening his squad this month after a difficult run of results which has left his side fourth in the table - 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

City looked at their ruthless best at the weekend when they beat Ipswich Town 6-0 at Portman Road - their biggest Premier League victory of the season.

On Tuesday, they travel to the French capital to face PSG in the Champions League - needing a win to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Vitor Reis transfer: Man City sign defender from Palmeiras in £29.6m transfer​

Manchester City have signed Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis for £29.6m.

Reis, who has represented Brazil U17s, has made 18 league appearances for Palmeiras since coming through the club's academy.

Sky Sports News reported a number of clubs around Europe had shown an interest in the 19-year-old. Brighton made attempts to sign Reis in this transfer window and had an approach knocked back, but it's understood no formal offer was made.

Palmeiras were always relaxed over the situation after selling an array of talent into Europe in the past 18 months for big fees, including Endrick to Real Madrid and Willian Estevao to Chelsea.

Reis says signing for City was driven by wanting to play under Pep Guardiola.

He said: "I'm excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world. Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies.

"Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be.

"City also have a lot of experience of working with Brazilian footballers and joining the likes of Ederson and Savinho in the squad will be a big help to me."

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: "Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world and we're delighted to been able to bring him here.

Vitor Reis transfer: Man City sign defender from Palmeiras in £29.6m transfer

Vitor Reis joins Manchester City from Palmeiras for £29.6m; Sky Sports News reported a number of clubs - including Brighton - had gathered information on the 19-year-old centre-back; Reis has played for Brazil U17s and came through Palmeiras academy

www.skysports.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Man City accused of encouraging player to break contract​

Real Valladolid have accused Manchester City of encouraging one of their players to break his contract to force through a move to the Premier League club.

Defender Juma Bah told the Spanish club on Tuesday that he intends to terminate his contract, allowing City to sign the player for a much lower fee.

City had sent a request to Valladolid earlier in the day asking to begin negotiations over a permanent deal for the 18-year-old, Valladolid said in a statement.

Bah then did not turn up for training on Wednesday, with the Spanish Football Association confirming he had deposited the necessary amount to terminate his contract.

Valladolid say the teenager's decision was "supposedly supported and guided by Manchester City and his agent" and has "caused great disappointment and indignation".

"The club considers that Manchester City is behind the player's decision, and appears to have advised the player to take this route."

The 18-year-old joined Valladolid on a season-long loan from AIK Freetong in his native Sierra Leone last summer and the club exercised a clause earlier this month to turn it into a permanent deal.

But Bah is still under a youth contract and has so far refused to sign a senior deal that would significantly increase his release clause.

Valladolid say they will take disciplinary action against Bah and will do whatever they can to "defend" the clubs's interests.

Manchester City: Real Valladolid accuse club of encouraging player to break contract

Real Valladolid accuse Manchester City of encouraging one of their players to break his contract to force through a move to the Premier League club.

www.bbc.com

 

[The Bald Eagle]

𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎! AC Milan agree deal to sign Kyle Walker from Manchester City ️

Loan move with buy option clause not mandatory as salary will be covered by AC Milan, contract agreed.

Travel and medical being planned for Thursday

Manchester City’s captain ready for new chapter.

 

[hassan918]

Manchester City's chances of Champions League progress are in peril after they lost a two-goal lead to slump to defeat against Paris St-Germain at Parc des Princes.

On a torrid, rain-lashed night in Paris, all the frailties that have haunted City in a season of decline were laid bare as Pep Guardiola's side crumbled dramatically in the face of PSG's pace and creation.

City's defeat means they risk elimination from the Champions League as they stand 25th in the table, having to win their final game at home to Club Brugge next Wednesday.

Source: BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

'A pitiful & chastening surrender – Guardiola's job never been bigger'

Paris St-Germain's "Ultras" warned Pep Guardiola and Manchester City about what awaited them on a stormy night in Paris - but they could not have contemplated the scale of the nightmare that unfolded.

"Beaten By The Waves, Paris Never Sunk" was the message emblazoned on a giant flag that stretched the length of one end at the Parc des Princes, the centrepiece of a spectacular pre-match display of pyrotechnics and naked hostility designed to raise the noise and the atmosphere.

It contained a brutal truth for City and Guardiola, who suffered one of the most chilling, chastening nights of his reign as an undeserved two-goal lead was transformed into a 4-2 defeat that flattered the Premier League champions, not PSG.

The manner in which City collapsed, crumbling in the face of PSG's thrilling attacking assault, exposed every flaw that has seen Guardiola's side slide into a steep decline this season.

They are off the pace in defence of their domestic title, while they now need a win against Club Brugge at Etihad Stadium to go into the Champions League play-offs, their standing of 25th in the new table something that should serve as a source of embarrassment to everyone at the club.

Guardiola's Manchester City of old would have completed the job after going two up. Not this version. Not the version that has lost eight points from winning positions in the Champions League and 14 in the Premier League.

When City lost a 3-0 lead in 16 minutes to draw at home to Feyenoord in November, it was regarded as freak occurance, a cruising team taking its eye of the ball.

It was not. This Manchester City is the team that cannot be trusted.

Further compelling evidence of their current lack of character and capacity to meltdown came when they conceded two goals in the last two minutes to lose the derby to Manchester United.

This was different. This was far more disturbing as PSG showed heart when 2-0 down, simply overpowering City who were a pale shadow of a once all-conquering team. Even Guardiola was forced to admit: "We could not cope."

It was a pitiful, barely believable, surrender as City were too slow through the central areas, ripped apart on the flanks and generally given the sort of comprehensive going over they used to hand out, as opposed to being the recipient of.

In a PSG barrage, City faced 26 shots - the highest total against them since the Champions League game against Real Madrid in September 2012 when the Spaniards had 35.

The sight of Matheus Nunes - an attacking operator - at right-back, with Kyle Walker close to completing a move to AC Milan, demonstrated the sort of muddled thinking that has clouded City and Guardiola's season, a flaw which requires addressing.

He was all at sea, as was another substitute Rico Lewis, as PSG rampaged through the wide areas at will, with Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and substitute Ousmane Dembele leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

This loss was, however, a collective failure of manager and team as City threatened to fall apart, then did as they conceded four goals for the first time in a game since they lost 5-2 at home to Leicester City in September 2020.

Even after going 2-0 up, City never looked in any form or condition to manage the game. Guardiola regards possession as nine tenths of football's law - here they were guilty of criminal negligence, with Dembele's goal three minutes after Haaland's second a major turning point.

Guardiola, as he stood soaked and stunned on the sidelines, powerless to prevent a defeat which should have been far more emphatic, may now realise he has an even bigger rebuilding job on his hands than he thought.

The great Kevin De Bruyne looked all of his 33 years, as did Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic, both 30, as PSG's energy in and out of possession flagged up every frailty that has haunted City this season. De Bruyne and Kovacic were both replaced, spent, after 70 minutes.

The statistics make grim reading for Guardiola, with City having failed to win after taking the lead in nine games in all competitions this season (four losses and five draws) the most of any Premier League club in 2024/25.

City have lost their past three Champions League games away from home, their second-longest losing streak since four in a row between November 2011 and December 2012 under Roberto Mancini.

And this was the first time they have lost a game from two goals up since they a 3-2 defeat to Brighton in May 2021.

Guardiola's renewal of City has started with the signings of defensive duo Abdukodir Khusanov, the 20-year-old from Lens and Vitor Reis, 19, from Palmeiras, while Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush is on the way.

On this evidence, the rebuild should not end there because City looked weak in the wide defensive areas, a problem exacerbated by the imminent departure of the veteran Walker, and laboured in central midfield, a department in clear need of refreshment.

Guardiola was magnanimous in defeat against his old friend and Barcelona cohort Luis Enrique, saying: "PSG were better than us. We could not make the passes, cope with the fast transitions.

"The table is fair, we all have points, no argument - PSG have played better and not won, today they did. To defend we have to play, we could not. Give credit to PSG.

"We tried to keep ball with Ilkay Gundogan, James McAtee and Jack Grealish but couldn't. Everything happens in the middle where you control game, they could, we could not. PSG players move with a lot of sense attacking & defending - good collective.

"We could not cope, but when one team is better, it is not a problem to accept it. We now prepare for a tough game against Chelsea [in the Premier League on Saturday] and then final with Brugge."

Brugge sit in 20th place in the Champions League table. City should be favourites, but such is their reduced level of performance and their tendency to crack under pressure - and this is now a high-pressure situation - this is no longer a guarantee for Guardiola's team.

Events on a crackling, emotional, rain-lashed night in Paris left them in Champions League peril.

What was unthinkable at the start of the season will now be troubling the thoughts of a manager and team in danger of elimination before the last 16.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Man City sign Frankfurt forward Marmoush for £59m

Manchester City have signed Egypt forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for 70m euros (£59m).

The 25-year-old has agreed a contract until June 2029, with add-ons rising to £4m.

Marmoush has scored 15 goals in 17 Bundesliga games this season, second only to England captain Harry Kane's 16 for Bayern Munich.

"Manchester City is one of the biggest clubs in the world over the past 10 years, so it was not a question," Marmoush said.

"It's a pleasure and an honour for me and my family to be representing Manchester City. It makes them happy; it makes me happy that my dreams are becoming a reality.

"The last two seasons have been great, but it is just the beginning for me."

City have also signed 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £30m and Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £34m in the January transfer window.

Marmoush, who has played as a striker, a number 10 and a winger, said: "On the pitch I am fast, good on the ball, I try to see where the spaces are and exploit the spaces - and I'm dangerous.

"My main strength I would say is that I always want to win - that is from a character point of view."

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said Marmoush has "outstanding pace and awareness" and that his versatility is a "really valuable asset".

Marmoush began his career with Wadi Degla in the Egyptian Premier League, before signing for VfL Wolfsburg in 2020.

He had loan spells at FC St Pauli and VfB Stuttgart before his 2023 move to Frankfurt, for whom he scored 37 goals and made 20 assists in 67 games.

'Marmoush the man to share goalscoring responsibility'

Manager Pep Guardiola admitted a couple of weeks ago he made a mistake not following the advice of senior figures at City in the summer by refreshing his squad. Now we are seeing the result of that self-reflection.

Marmoush's arrival is slightly different to those of Reis and Khusanov in that the Egyptian is filling the void left by the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid rather than to eventually replace older players, with time to bed in.

It has been clear for most of the season that Erling Haaland needed someone to share the burden of responsibility for scoring goals and threatening the opposition.

Marmoush is that man.

He has scored 20 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt over the first half of the campaign.

While it remains to be seen how Marmoush links with Haaland, who signed his own mammoth nine-and-a-half-year deal last week, Guardiola will at least feel he has more attacking options for the remainder of the campaign.

Marmoush is expected to be available for Saturday's Premier League game with Chelsea, although he cannot be registered for next week's crucial Champions League encounter with Club Brugge, which City must win to secure a play-off berth.

BBC

 

[hassan918]

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has completed a move to Italian club AC Milan on loan for the remainder of the season.

The England defender completed a medical with the seven-time European Cup winners on Thursday.

Milan's deal for Walker includes an option to buy the 34-year-old when his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

Walker, a six-time Premier League winner with City, joins fellow Englishmen Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham at the San Siro.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Man City avoid Champions League combustion as Real or Bayern await

Manchester City's Champions League campaign could have gone the same way as the merchandise stand outside Etihad Stadium that went up in flames before kick-off - but a firefighting act on the pitch meant they scraped into the play-offs.

Even City manager Pep Guardiola sensed the bad omens, saying: "When I saw the fire before the game I thought 'the journalists have their headlines already'."

Thankfully, no-one was hurt in that pre-match drama, while City were also able to finally emerge unscathed from a night of tension and nerves, displaying more of the fragility that has characterised their season.

It's Real Madrid or Bayern Munich next - a scenario that might send shudders down the spine of the most ardent City follower.

City's final placing of 22nd in the new Champions League opening phase after Wednesday's 3-1 win against Club Brugge should be a source of embarrassment to a club of such high ambition, winners of this tournament in 2023.

And yet, for a short while, it look like it was going to be a lot worse as Guardiola's side faced the humiliation of not even making the play-offs.

Apart from one noisy corner occupied by Brugge fans, you could have heard a pin drop when Raphael Onyedika's low drive right on half-time left City needing two goals to score the win they required.

A play-off spot would have been viewed as an unlikely consolation prize at the start of the campaign. When even that began to fade from view, this season's sense of crisis was heightening.

City were vulnerable at the back, with weakness out wide once more, and blunt in attack. This was only the second time a team managed by Guardiola failed to have a first-half shot on target, following on from a game against Borussia Dortmund in September 2022.

Those home fans inside the stadium were subdued. City had given their supporters nothing to ease their growing concerns.

Guardiola had gone through agonies in his technical area, clutching his head in anguish on several occasions as City were hit on the break, also aiming a wild kick at a drinks box, although he laughed this off afterwards with a reminder about his stellar playing career at Barcelona.

In the wider context, this was City's season on the line - European ambitions threatened while languishing 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, their hold on that crown loosened.

It is to City's credit that they responded, helped by Guardiola's effective change of Savinho for Ilkay Gundogan at half-time, meaning the manager avoided the fate of failing to reach the knockout stage for the first time in his silver-lined career.

If City had gone out, it would have ended a run of 11 successive seasons in which they have reached the knockout stage - anything else would have been a severe body blow to the pride and status of a club who cherish their place at Europe's top table.

City survived what would have been their biggest embarrassment under Guardiola, but on current form a play-off against either Real or Bayern to reach the last 16 cannot be approached with confidence.

It was only when the unfortunate Joel Ordonez turned Josko Gvardiol's cross into his own net to give City the lead that Brugge's threat was finally extinguished, their supporters also celebrating at the final whistle as they sneaked into the play-offs in 24th place.

The home side got there in the end, but this campaign has so far offered nothing to suggest there should be any fears for either Madrid's elder statesman boss Carlo Ancelotti or for the City legend who is now Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany.

"We deserve it," said Guardiola of City's play-off fate. "I don't know if they are happy to play against us but it is what it is. No complaints. We're going to face them - one is the king of the competition, the other is the second or third."

The defeats City suffered against Juventus, Sporting and Paris St-Germain, along with the collapse against Feyenoord to draw after leading 3-0 with 16 minutes left, will offer all the encouragement their next opponents need.

And even if these formidable hurdles are overcome, City will then face Diego Simeone's nuggety Atletico Madrid or Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

Easier? Not by much.

Even in victory here, City were too often vulnerable on the counter-attack, with too many spaces in midfield for Club Brugge to exploit, but they dug deep when it mattered and clawed themselves out of the hole they were in.

City will somehow have to fashion a vast improvement in the short period between this win and the play-offs if they are not to slip out at that stage.

This was unthinkable at the start of the season given their pedigree, but it has become very thinkable in recent weeks, especially after the fearful going over they got when losing 4-2 in Paris.

Guardiola, relieved as well as pleased, is hoping City will soon be in a stronger position, able to call on new forward Omar Marmoush among others, while history is littered with teams who turned early struggles into Champions League triumph.

John Stones made a welcome return, while Guardiola is hoping others such as Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake could be back, along with Oscar Bobb, while Kevin de Bruyne can acquire more minutes and fitness.

Guardiola can also call on the memories of beating Bayern and Real on their way to Champions League final victory against Inter Milan in Istanbul in 2023.

"It might seem impossible today, but tomorrow the mindset, the vibes will change," Guardiola said. "We will try against Real or Bayern. We will create problems. These players have something special. We will try to do it."

It was almost the talk of an underdog, rarely Manchester City's station in recent years.

This is where they stand now in this tournament - but when a team of proven quality have a fighting chance, then can defy the odds.

City, however, will have to climb several levels if this painful, tortuous Champions League journey is to continue in the last 16.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Manuel Akanji believes Manchester City can still ‘beat every team in Europe’

Manuel Akanji is convinced Manchester City can rediscover their best levels to go far in the Champions League and has warned Real Madrid and Bayern Munich they can “beat every team in Europe”.

City advanced to the playoff round with Wednesday’s 3-1 home win over Club Brugge and will face Real or Bayern, with the first leg set for the Etihad Stadium the week after next. The away tie is the week after.

City knew that only victory against Club Brugge would secure their qualification, rescuing an erratic group-phase campaign, and they flirted with disaster when trailing 1-0 at half-time. The second half was better, the substitute Savinho helping to make the difference, although it was reasonable to wonder how City would fare against a European heavyweight with this kind of performance. The time is short to the meeting against the league leaders in Spain or Germany.

Akanji’s faith in himself and his teammates was pronounced. He said Pep Guardiola had told him on the pitch after the full-time whistle it would be Real or Bayern next. Akanji could only see the possibilities.

“Obviously it’s not the team you want to face but we’re ready and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” the central defender said. “I think we can beat every team in Europe. It [the group phase] wasn’t the way we wanted it to be but here we are right now and I’m still confident we can beat whoever comes next.”

Akanji was asked whether he felt City could repeat their Champions League triumph of 2023. “Definitely,” he said. “Even though we didn’t play as good as we used to, I think no team wants to face us.”

That much is true, the Real manager, Carlo Ancelotti, saying: “We don’t like to play against City … they have more chances to win the Champions League.” The other possible opponent for Real and Bayern in Friday’s draw is Celtic.

Ancelotti and his Bayern counterpart, Vincent Kompany, the former City captain, are surely mindful of what City can be when everything comes together. Yet they have fired only in fits and starts since the end of October. They were good in Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Chelsea. The previous Wednesday, they had capitulated to lose 4-2 at Paris Saint-Germain. Against Club Brugge, they were flat and predictable, then energetic and incisive, although the Belgian team did continue to threaten for a while on the counter.

The search for stability has been elusive, even if results have been much improved since Christmas. City will be boosted against Real or Bayern by the availability of their January signings – Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. It is also hoped that all their injured players bar Rodri will be back – namely Rúben Dias, Nathan Aké, Jérémy Doku and Oscar Bobb.

“We beat Chelsea at the weekend, a really good win, well deserved, a good performance,” Akanji said. “The performance before against PSG wasn’t as good as we wanted it to be but I still think if we give it our all and we work together on the pitch, we are one of the best teams in Europe. We have to prove it match after match and we didn’t do it yet this year. But I still think we are capable of it.”

SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ity-can-beat-every-team-after-faltering-start

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Gonzalez takes Man City's spend to £180m - how they dominated window

Manchester City have signed Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez for £50m to take their January spending to £180m.

It is the second biggest outlay worldwide in January window history behind Chelsea's £274m in 2023, according to Transfermarkt, external.

Gonzalez is City's fifth signing of the winter transfer window and has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract.

The 23-year-old Spaniard began his senior career with Barcelona in 2009 and joined Porto in July 2023.

Gonzalez has scored nine goals and laid on nine assists in 68 appearances for Porto and won the Portuguese Cup last season.

"This is the perfect opportunity for me at this stage of my career," Gonzalez said.

"I am 23 and I want to test myself in England. There's no better club than Manchester City for me to do that.

"Look at the squad they have here - it's unbelievable, full of world-class players. There isn't a footballer in the world who would not want to be part of this set-up."

City sit fifth in the Premier League, 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, following Sunday's 5-1 defeat at Arsenal.

They have been without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri in midfield since he suffered a major knee injury in September.

On Thursday, Gonzalez scored in a 1-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League to help Porto through to the knockout phase play-offs.

"I know the reputation Pep [Guardiola] has and I cannot wait to work with him. In fact, I am honoured he wants me to play in his team," Gonzalez added.

City have already signed Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov and Sierra Leonean defender Juma Bah, who has since been loaned out to Lens.

Nico Gonzalez: Manchester City complete signing of Porto midfielder

Manchester City complete the signing of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez for 60m euros (£50m).

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Guardiola challenges 'street fighter' Grealish

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has challenged "street fighter" Jack Grealish to prove him wrong.

England forward Grealish has been eased out of Guardiola's first-choice line-up this season, even though City have struggled at times.

The form of Brazilian wide man Savinho has been one reason. With Norwegian Oscar Bobb returning from injury and £63m January arrival Omar Marmoush also settling in, now there is even more competition for the former Aston Villa player.

Grealish impressed in the FA Cup win at Leyton Orient on Saturday, creating the 79th-minute winner for Kevin de Bruyne. It was his first start since victory in the previous round against League Two Salford.

The chances are he will be back on the bench for Tuesday's blockbuster Champions League play-off first leg at home to Real Madrid.

"Jack has this sense of the street," said Guardiola. "He is a player of the street.

"Today most of the players, for a manager, are academic - 'you have to do this or that'. Jack is a fighter. He is there to fight in the stadiums when the people shout.

"He didn't play the last games, mainly because Savinho on the left side had an incredible connection with Erling (Haaland) but the season is still open.

"But against Orient I saw the glimpse that he is going to rebel, to show the manager how wrong he is. I love that."


BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Man City's lack of belief and ageing team exposed by ruthless Real Madrid

Manchester City's fans started the night by unfurling a huge flag taunting Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior for their angry reaction to Rodri beating the Brazilian to last year's Ballon d'Or.

'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' was the message, the words of the Oasis hit accompanied by an image of Rodri kissing the coveted trophy at the ceremony boycotted by Real in protest at the decision.

Firing barbs at the most ruthless and experienced operators in Champions League history is a dangerous occupation, and so it proved.

All the tears belonged to City and their supporters at the final whistle after a trademark smash-and-grab late surge gave Real a potentially decisive 3-2 advantage after the first leg of this play-off to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Real's relentless, concrete-clad confidence in themselves and street wisdom honed over years of experience and triumphs, saw them turn a 2-1 deficit after 86 minutes into a victory, Carlo Ancelotti's side preying on City's own painful lack of self-belief.

The contrast was stark, City wilting visibly in the second half, then consumed by anxiety and nerves once their former midfielder Brahim Diaz restored parity with four minutes of normal time left.

City are never home and hosed this season. Real Madrid never believe they are beaten. And this was the case again as Pep Guardiola's team lost a lead for the fifth time in this campaign.

It is perhaps an insight into City's current state of mind and form that the two late goals conceded here made it eight goals shipped in the final 16 minutes of their past five Champions League games, the most of any side.

Guardiola is currently presiding over a team with too many miles on the clock, too many players not fully fit – or not fit at all in Rodri's case. The cracks are starting to look beyond repair, rather more in need of major renovation.

Rodri was watching from the sidelines, having been included in City's Champions League squad in the hope he may recover from his knee injury this season, and on that giant flag.

How City needed his calming influence, quality and steel on the pitch as they were overcome late on once more.

There was ill-fortune, too, as Jack Grealish went off injured after 30 minutes, having played in the manner of a man with a point to prove to his manager.

Real could scent the nerves and anxiety on the pitch and off. Jude Bellingham's injury-time winner almost had a sense of inevitability as City's scrambled minds led to mistakes. The punishment came from close range, England's talisman turning home with erratic keeper Ederson out of his ground after being lobbed by Vinicius Junior.

Vinicius Junior, understandably given the pre-match banner, relished the moment and revelled in Real's victory celebrations. The perfect answer.

It was Real Madrid being, well, Real Madrid. Nothing is ever settled against them until the final whistle sounds.

The holders only led in this game for 90 seconds. Crucially for them, and perhaps fatally for Manchester City, it was for the final 90 seconds.

It leaves City, given their current form and propensity for collapse, almost needing a miracle in the second leg at The Bernabeu. And miracles only tend to happen to the team in white in that iconic, unforgiving arena.

The tale was also told in the tired legs that consumed City in the second half, when Real ran the show, missing a host of chances as they assumed control, before Kylian Mbappe's half-hit finish equalised Erling Haaland's early strike.

It was totally against the run of play when the striker restored City's lead, which they held until Real's trademark late surge.

City may yet defy the odds in Madrid, but come what may, this season continues to carry all the air of an era ending, a great team reaching the end of the road.

Ederson, so reliable in goal for so long throughout City's many glories, now looks vulnerable. The great Kevin De Bruyne, at 33, and 30-year-old Bernardo Silva, were laboured and peripheral.

John Stones tried to act as a defensive screen but Real carry too much threat in the shape of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, with Bellingham always ready to add his own menace, as he did to decisive effect.

Guardiola looked pained and frustrated, as well as frantic at times in his technical area, saying: "Many times it happens this season. I know the quality of Real Madrid. We took the game in the second half and tried to attack too quickly. It happens because they are an exceptional team.

"It happens many times this season. Bad decisions, that's all. I take it. It's not about you and me, or just the team, it's everyone."

He added: "We are just not stable enough. I've been here for many years and we've been an extraordinary team, a machine every three days.

"This year, I accept when the opponent is better but at the moment I'm not good enough to give composure to the team to manage these situations. It's the truth.

"The accountability belongs to all of us, not just the players. For me, it would be easy to blame a specific player but that is ridiculous and doesn't work. It is me first and the players as well.

"The truth is that we are not stable enough in those moments. Today is not an exception, it happened many times. Today is what it is, tomorrow you have to continue and have fresh legs and fresh minds."

Guardiola has a monumental task to pull off a victory at The Bernabeu – but the body of evidence is also increasing to suggest he has a similar job to revive Manchester City's fallen champions.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Man City's Akanji out of Madrid and Liverpool games

Defender Manuel Akanji has been ruled out of Manchester City's Champions League return with Real Madrid and their Premier League match with Liverpool amid fears he could be set for an extended absence with a muscular problem.

The Switzerland centre-back was replaced at half-time in the 3-2 defeat by Real at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

City face Real in the second leg next Wednesday before hosting Liverpool on Sunday, 23 February.

Manager Pep Guardiola was not asked about Akanji in the aftermath of the game but is expected to offer an update on the 29-year-old, as well as forward Jack Grealish - who was replaced in the first half - when he holds his regular media briefing on Friday before his side's game with Newcastle on Saturday.

However, sources have said Akanji has been ruled out of City's immediate games.

It is the latest in a series of defensive injury problems Guardiola has had to deal with this season which he has repeatedly stated is the major reason for City's below-par performances and results.

Defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias have all just returned from recent absences.

Stones was used in central midfield in midweek as Guardiola tried to cover for the hole left by Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September.

Guardiola did include new signing Nico Gonzalez in his squad to face Real, but the Spanish midfielder was left on the bench throughout the defeat after being forced off with injury in the first half of his debut at Leyton Orient last Saturday.

Manuel Akanji: Manchester City defender to miss Real Madrid and Liverpool games

Manuel Akanji is ruled out of Manchester City's Champions League return with Real Madrid and the Premier League match with Liverpool amid fears the defender faces an extended absence with a muscular problem.

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Nico Gonzalez can be Man City’s ‘mini-Rodri’ – Pep Guardiola​

Omar Marmoush claimed the headlines but Pep Guardiola also praised the role of his “mini-Rodri” Nico Gonzalez in Manchester City’s 4-0 demolition of Newcastle.

Marmoush scored a sparkling 14-minute hat-trick as the champions put their top-four rivals to the sword to secure a comprehensive Premier League victory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The win lifted City to fourth in the table and was the perfect tonic ahead of their daunting Champions League trip to Real Madrid this coming week.

Yet while one January signing took most of the plaudits, another new recruit also caught the eye.

Gonzalez, the £49.9million recruit from Porto, shone on his first league start in the City midfield, providing a measure of control sorely missing since linchpin Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September.

City manager Guardiola said: “I think the presence of Nico helped us a lot because of 10 balls, the 50-50s, he wins seven and you can run. When you lose seven, they will run.

“I have the feeling the club bought an incredible player for the future, in terms of mentality.

“He’s so young, 23 remember, like a mini-Rodri. That’s a big compliment – but there’s this feeling for the big presence, the duels.

“Of course, he’s miles away from Rodri. Rodri is the best.

“But I had the feeling, everyone had the feeling, that he’s going to help us in the last part of the season.”

City did not look back after Marmoush opened his City account on 19 minutes and quickly followed up with two more. Newcastle mustered little in response and James McAtee completed the rout six minutes from time.

It was a welcome victory given City’s inconsistency this season but attention must quickly turn to the sizeable task of trying to overturn a 3-2 deficit in the second leg of their play-off tie against Real.

“It was a very nice day,” said Egypt international Marmoush. “It is the first hat-trick of my career.

“I’d like to thank the club. Everyone feels welcome from the first day. I feel this is a big part of why we could perform like that.

“Now for us the focus is on the next game, to give 100 per cent and we will see what happens.”

The only concern for City was an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland late in the game but Guardiola played down concerns, saying the player had been “smiling like always” afterwards.

It was a miserable day for Newcastle as they lost ground in their push for a return to the Champions League next season.

The result meant they slipped to seventh, three points behind City, and manager Eddie Howe hopes his side’s progress to the Carabao Cup final – which will give them a shot at a first major trophy since 1969 – is not going to prove a distraction.

Howe said: “If that is the case, we’re in trouble because our Premier League season will be over by the time that final comes around. It can’t be the focus.

“It’s on the horizon, but it should be a positive, it shouldn’t be a negative distraction for us. I’d encourage the players to look at it like that, it’s an excitement.

“But we have to go back to work, and work is the Premier League, day in, day out.

“We have to perform – that’s three of our last performances in the Premier League that haven’t been good enough, and they’ve all had similar traits in them. It’s back to basics for us next week.”

Nico Gonzalez can be Man City’s ‘mini-Rodri’ – Pep Guardiola

The former Porto midfielder played a key role in victory over Newcastle in his first league start.

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Gonzalez was good yesterday, though I do think we gave them far too much respect and if you give City space/time they thrive

 

[Cricket Warrior]

'Nothing is eternal' - Guardiola 'accepts reality' as Man City exit

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said "nothing is eternal" after his side were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

City have enjoyed great success under Guardiola, with their trophy haul under the former Barcelona boss including six Premier Leagues and the European Cup in 2023.

However, they have endured the most testing campaign of his reign this term, having dropped out of the domestic title race amid an injury crisis and now out of Europe after Wednesday's loss in Madrid.

"Nothing is eternal," Guardiola said. "We have been unbelievable and we have to try step by step to get better from today.

"We have been extraordinarily extraordinary in the past, but not any more.

"We have 13 games [left in the Premier League] and have to be top four or five to try to be [in the Champions League] again."

Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (agg 6-3): Pep Guardiola says 'nothing is eternal' after exit

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says "nothing is eternal" after his side are knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

www.bbc.com