TheNewsGuru

Tag: Man City

  • What we expect from new signing Haaland – De Bruyne

    What we expect from new signing Haaland – De Bruyne

    Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has welcomed new signing Erling Haaland.

    De Bruyne is backing Haaland to have a positive impact at Manchester City ahead of his big-money arrival from Borussia Dortmund.

    “Erling Haaland is a top striker,” De Bruyne told HLN in Belgium. “His move should help us to grow as a team. Everybody expects a lot.

    “They’ve always been looking for a No.9, but I think it’ll be good to have that striker that maybe scores 20-25 goals a season.”

    De Bruyne added: “Maybe (his arrival might help me too). There have been years that I have had more assists (than this season).

    “But my chance creation and other things have remained consistent. Numbers are a part of football but they never tell you the full story.”

  • BREAKING: Man City win EPL title after thrilling comeback

    BREAKING: Man City win EPL title after thrilling comeback

    Manchester City staged a stunning late comeback with three goals in five minutes to beat Aston Villa and win the Premier League as their title chances looked to be slipping away amid dramatic scenes at Etihad Stadium.

    Pep Guardiola’s side needed victory to secure their fourth title in five seasons but were facing the prospect of ending the season empty-handed as goals either side of the interval from Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho put Villa 2-0 ahead and in control.

    It looked as if Villa manager Steven Gerrard might help his former club Liverpool secure the title – until City turned the game on its head in an atmosphere bordering on hysteria.

    Ilkay Gundogan, on as a substitute for Bernardo Silva, gave City hope with a far-post header in the 76th minute, and Etihad Stadium was a wall of noise when Rodri drove a low finish past Villa keeper Robin Olsen two minutes later.

    The title-winning recovery was complete with nine minutes left as Gundogan once again arrived at the far post to put City in front, the decisive contribution on this nerve-shredding final day.

    City did need those three points as Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers – with City boss Guardiola overcome with emotion and breaking down in tears at the final whistle.

  • No Man City player loves Guardiola – Evra

    No Man City player loves Guardiola – Evra

    Manchester United Champions League winner Patrice Evra has taken fresh aim at Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

    Evra and Guardiola have gone back and forth ever since City were knocked out of the Champions League as the Frenchman criticised the club for not having ‘personalities’. Guardiola hit back by suggesting that Evra himself lacked character as his Barcelona side smashed United in the 2011 Champions League final.

    Evra spoke after United legends hosted Liverpool legends in a charity game at Old Trafford on Saturday, but the Frenchman wasn’t feeling so kind about Guardiola.

    “I didn’t understand to be honest,” Evra told the Manchester Evening News following United legend’s loss to Liverpool.

    “I am not watching that much in the media, and then a friend sends me Guardiola talking about ‘maybe Patrice Evra wants a job’ and then after ‘we destroyed them with Barcelona’. I was working for Amazon Prime and I just said playing under Guardiola, when you have personality, it must be difficult, when you have ego.

    “I am talking about players when they played with him and they always say he has been a problem. What I said was nice, but now if you want to go talk, I will talk. I don’t see any City player who loves him.

    “He is a genius, but as a person, I don’t know him personally. I was surprised he even had time to answer to Patrice Evra, I am a retired player, I am doing my job.

    “I was a little surprised. But me, I am always happy, I don’t have any hate in my heart. But when people want to do some banter, I am ready for that.

    “By the way, he wins because he had Xavi, Iniesta and [Lionel] Messi. Of course you’re going to win the Champions League. But since he don’t have them, it is a long time ago he won the Champions League.”

  • Why I turned down Super Eagles – Ex-Man City defender

    Why I turned down Super Eagles – Ex-Man City defender

    Former Manchester City defender, Nedum Onuoha has revealed why he decided not to feature for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    According to him, he was approached twice by the three-time African champions, but he turned it down.

    Onuoha was born in Warri, Delta State, but his family emigrated to the UK when he was young.

    He received his British citizenship at seven and became eligible to feature for England.

    After his breakthrough at City, Onuoha became a regular for the England U20s and 21s, representing them 21 times in four years.

    And while the defender waited for a dream Three Lions call-up, the then Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts spoke with him ahead of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Speaking to Sports Mole, Onuoha said, “In the lead up to the AFCON championships, you could hear how people were speaking ill of it, the timing of it, not taking it seriously and the like, and that frustrated me so I was continually pushing back, pushing back against it and initially when I was [at Man City] under Mancini, I said to Berti Vogts, the then Nigeria manager, that I couldn’t go because I wasn’t comfortable in my club position.

    “[At the time, I felt] that you would fall down the pecking order if you decided to go and play for your national team. This would never be the case if you were playing for England or if you were playing for another European nation.”

    Onuoha represented City for eight years, playing in 93 league fixtures, before finally leaving for Queens Park Rangers in 2012.

  • BREAKING: Man City agree to sign Haaland for £51.2m

    BREAKING: Man City agree to sign Haaland for £51.2m

    Premier League club, Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Norway striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

    According to BBC, Haaland, 21, will join in July after City activated a 60m euro (£51.2m) release clause in his contract.

    The deal ends the club’s hunt for a successor to their all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer.

    “We can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland,” City said.

    “The transfer remains subject to the club finalising terms with the player.”

    Haaland, who passed his City medical in Belgium on Monday, has scored 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.

  • Transfer: Erling Haaland agrees Man City deal

    Transfer: Erling Haaland agrees Man City deal

    Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland has reportedly informed the Bundesliga club that he would leave at the end of the season to join Manchester City.

    There were reports late on Monday that Manchester City boss Ferran Soriano has got in touch with Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.

    He has informed him that they would activate a 75-million-euro (78.9-million-dollar) release clause in Haaland’s contract.

    Haaland was also reported to have completed medical tests at the Erasmus hospital in Brussels on Monday.

    Borussia Dortmund said the player was allowed to have the day off to “take care of personal matters.”

    According to the report, the staff at the Erasmus hospital was surprised that one of the most desired football players in the world was suddenly there.

    Haaland, however, reportedly decided to go to Brussels so the tests could take place without any fuss.

    Borussia Dortmund’s head of professional football Sebastian Kehl had said on Sunday that a transfer could be concluded this week.

    A replacement for Norway’s Haaland is already being lined up by Borussia Dortmund.

    Kehl is hopeful a move for Germany international Karim Adeyemi, currently with Red Bull Salzburg, will soon be completed.

    Haaland himself switched to Borussia Dortmund from Salzburg early 2020 for 20 million euros.

  • Why Haaland will choose Man City over Barca – Xavi

    Why Haaland will choose Man City over Barca – Xavi

    Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed the main reason departing Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland will choose Manchester City over the La Liga club.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the Norwegian striker is expected to join the Premier League giant.

    Xavi said today: “It’s not official for City, is it? When it is, you’ll ask me again. For us? It is very difficult (to recruit him) because of the economic situation, I will not lie to you.

    “I will not say much, I will not insult other projects. But our project is good. City have a lot of titles and are in competition (for the PL title). If what you say happens, it will be because of financial problems. I’ve been to Munich several times (laughs).”

    Xavi also said: “I think it’s important to get stronger every year, no matter if you win or lose, but even more so if you lose. This year will not be positive, because we did not fight for titles and we did not win and whatever happens will be welcome.

    “The current economic situation and people will have to leave for them to come. It’s one of the most difficult situations but we have to strengthen ourselves next year if we want to be competitive.”

    On their transfer work in general, he added: “In this there is no problem, I am very comfortable with the president, the sporting director, the technical secretary, Jordi, and the director of football, Mateu (Alemany). They respect my opinion. We have built a good group and my opinion is respected. I will be aware of everything and work to strengthen ourselves and be more competitive next year.”

  • Man City discussing shock move for Paul Pogba

    Man City discussing shock move for Paul Pogba

    Premier League giant Manchester City are making a shock move for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

    Pogba is out of contract at the end of next month when he is virtually certain to leave Manchester United for a second time after rejoining the club for a then world record transfer fee of £89million in 2016.

    The Daily Mail says City are exploring the option of signing Pogba from their arch rivals ahead of next season.

    Pep Guardiola wants to add a new versatile central midfielder ahead of next season to fill the void that is likely to be left by captain Fernandinho, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

    And Pogba is among a list of candidates the club have identified for the role Guardiola wants filled.

    Under transfer regulations, City cannot make a formal offer to Pogba until the end of the season.

    That, perhaps, puts them at a disadvantage given overseas clubs have been able to formally discuss the possibility of signing Pogba since the turn of the year.

  • EPL: Liverpool, Man City in fight to finish as top four battle hots up

    EPL: Liverpool, Man City in fight to finish as top four battle hots up

    In a bid to claim the top spot and cement it ahead of the English Premier League ending in the 2021/2022 season, Manchester City and Liverpool have tricky away ties in week 34 of the EPL.

    Manchester City go away to Leeds United at Elland road whilst challenger Liverpool go away to St James’ park to battle Newcastle.

    Manchester City and Liverpool must quickly turn their focus from Champions League glory to the battle for the Premier League title, with no room for error in tricky away trips today .

    City, who hold a one-point advantage at the top of the table with five games remaining, travel to Leeds, who are also in need of the points to guarantee survival.

    Liverpool can go top for a few hours at least if they win at Newcastle, but the Magpies have won their last six home games to storm into the top half of the table since beginning of the takeover by Saudi Billionaires.
    Recall that Last season, Leeds city defeated Manchester City at the Etihad by 1-2 with 10 men, Leeds City were trailing by a solitary goal but scored two after a player got a matching order in the feisty encounter.
    Meanwhile, Leeds are unbeaten in five games, but are just five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of a tough run-in, with Arsenal and Chelsea to come after the visit of City.

     

    The Premier League’s top two remain on course to end their season with another showdown in the Champions League final after seeing off Spanish oppositions in contrasting fashion in midweek.

     

    Meanwhile at Anfield Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp gave fans even more cause for celebration by extending his contract at the club for a further two years and the German tactician will remain at the club till 2026.

    However, the German is far from happy at the scheduling of a lunchtime kick-off just three days after a Champions League semi-final.

    “It’s brutal but it’s fine. It’s the best situation you can have,” said Klopp.“Just go for the next one and try to play the best football you can.”

    In another development, the top four race appears a daunting task for Arsenal, Totteham and Manchester United with the fourth place finish looking like it’s going to be a direct shot between North London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham.

    Arsenal have a two-point advantage and both sides will be confident of victory this weekend against oppositions with European semi-finals on their mind.

    Arsenal have a date at London stadium with Westham who face a daunting task of upturning a 2-1 deficit at German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League Semi-finals.

    Tottenham will slug it out with Leicester city at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium with the foxes looking well in shape to go past Roma in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League tie after first leg ended 1-1 at the King Power stadium.

    However, Manchester United may feature in the Europa league come next season but they have a date with Brentford in a monday night football after playing a 1-1 draw on Thursday with Chelsea who appeared to have cemented its place as third on the EPL log.

     

  • UCL: Benzema reveals why he opted for a Panenka penalty

    UCL: Benzema reveals why he opted for a Panenka penalty

    Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has explained why he opted for a Panenka penalty despite trailing by 2 goal margin.

    Man City had led 4-2 before before Aymeric Laporte was penalized for handling the ball in the box 18 area.

     

    A breathtaking game, packed with chances and moments of individual brilliance, was a treat for those watching but left City, who had the better of the game, with the slenderest of leads to defend at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.

    At the post match conference Benzema revealed that he’s had it in mind that if he doesn’t play penalties he can never miss one.

     

    Benzema said: “I always have it in my head that if you don’t take a penalty, you will never miss a penalty. That’s mental confidence and that’s all. I have a lot of confidence in myself… so I do it and it turns out well.

    His boss Carlo Ancelotti said, “I think he changed because the last two penalties were not good. He tried in training, I didn’t know how he would shoot. He chose this [Panenka] and he did really well, showing strong personality and character. It’s not easy in the semi-final of the Champions League to shoot a penalty like this.”

    The second leg of the semi-final encounter holds next week Wednesday at the Bernabeu in Spain. Man City go into the match with 4-3 advantage.