Tag: Man City

  • Man City forward Lukas wanted by Nigeria

    Man City forward Lukas wanted by Nigeria

    Manchester City youngster Lukas Nmecha is being courted by Nigeria in a bid to convince him to switch his allegiances.

    Nmecha, 22, caught the eye at the Under-21 European Championships, scoring the winning goal in the final for Germany against Portugal, as well as finishing as the tournament’s top goalscorer.

    Nmecha, who was born in Hamburg, originally began his international youth career with England, appearing at all age groups between Under-16 and Under-21.

    He qualified through residential purposes, having moved to the UK with his family at a young age, enrolling in City’s academy.

    Nmecha scored the winner for England’s Under-19s in their European Championship final in 2017, also against Portugal.

    However, according to BILD, a third country has now come forward to ask for his services, with the Super Eagles looking to convince him to switch once more.

    The 22-year-old qualifies through his father, who was born in Nigeria.

    Nmecha has impressed this season while on loan at Anderlecht in Belgium’s top flight.

    The forward scored 19 goals in all competitions for Vincent Kompany’s men as they finished fourth in the league.

    His performances have attracted interest from across the continent, and it is reported that Pep Guardiola could be ready to cash in on Nmecha’s success.

    Rated at around £7million, it is thought City could be set to offload the academy graduate in a bid to raise funds for Erling Haaland.

  • Atletico Madrid make first offer for Man City attacker

    Atletico Madrid make first offer for Man City attacker

    La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are keen on Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva.

    In England, it’s been suggested City are prepared to sell Bernardo this summer to fund plans of finding a new striker signing after the departure of Sergio Aguero for Barcelona.

    The Times says Atletico are keen and have already made a first offer for the midfielder.

    The LaLiga champs have suggested a straight swap involving Saul Niguez for Bernardo.

    However, such a proposal isn’t ideal for City, which are seeking a cash deal to help with plans to fund a new striker addition.

  • Man City whizkid named PFA Young Player of the Year

    Man City whizkid named PFA Young Player of the Year

    Manchester City whizkid Phil Foden has been named young player of the year by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

    The England forward had been nominated for both player of the year and young player of the year awards.

    He scored 16 goals in 50 appearances for City in all competitions this season.

    “I’m really honoured,” Foden said.

    “There have been some great players in the past that have won it and I feel really lucky to win it because there have been so many great young talents this year. It’s a special moment.”

  • We’ll find right player to replace Aguero – Man City chairman

    We’ll find right player to replace Aguero – Man City chairman

    Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has hinted of a big name signing to replace Sergio Aguero this summer.

    Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, of Borussia Dortmund, are on City’s list of targets after club record goal scorer Aguero joined Barcelona as a free agent.

    “We lose a very important legend in Sergio Aguero,” said Khaldoon. “Very hard shoes to fill, but I’m confident that we will find the right player to fill those shoes.

    “There are other areas within the group that obviously need investment. Not too many, it’s not about numbers, it’s about quality.

    “I think it’s a phenomenal squad. You don’t win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final if you don’t have an incredible squad. We will bring quality into the squad in a couple of key positions.

    “One of the things I’ve learned over the years is you need to constantly bring talent into the team. Refresh. Particularly when you are at a high level, when you are on the top.

    “Having won the league, it is not the time to sit back and be content. That actually would be your biggest mistake.

    “This is the time to send a strong message that there is no contentment, that you are not satisfied with just winning the league.”

  • Man City make offer to Real Madrid captain

    Man City make offer to Real Madrid captain

    Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is being linked with Manchester City.

    Off contract in June, Ramos is yet to agree terms over a new deal with Real Madrid, which are insisting he accept a hefty cut on his current wages to stay.

    Instead, reports ESPN, Ramos is exploring other opportunities with PSG in contact.

    However, City are offering Ramos a two-year deal to play in England before eventually moving to the US to close out his career with their MLS sister club New York City FC.

    City have assured Ramos they’re ready to take him on, so long as his contract demands fall within their wage structure.

  • Barca ready to announce signing of Man City defender

    Barca ready to announce signing of Man City defender

    Barcelona are set to announce the signing of Manchester City defender Eric Garcia this morning.

    RAC1 say Garcia will be officially announced on Monday as a new player for Barcelona. It will be the start of a big week for president Joan Laporta.

    Barcelona’s plans are to announce Eric Garcia on Monday morning and present him on Tuesday at Camp Nou with a press conference. After Eric, it will be Kun Aguero’s turn.

    He is likely to be announced as a Barca player this coming week, along with Emerson. Garcia already admitted this Saturday that his arrival at FC Barcelona is signed and sealed.

    “It’s a brave decision,” said the centre-back.

  • Rudiger texts De Bruyne after Champions League clash, apologizes

    Rudiger texts De Bruyne after Champions League clash, apologizes

    Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has revealed he has contacted Kevin De Bruyne to apologise for their collision in the Champions League final on Saturday.

    Manchester City star De Bruyne had to be withdrawn from the clash – which his side lost 1-0 – after he was bodychecked by Rudiger.

    De Bruyne later revealed he had suffered a fractured nose and eye socket.

    And Rudiger says it was never his intention to hurt the Belgium midfielder.

    The German posted on Twitter: “I’m really sorry for DeBruyneKev’s injury.

    “Of course this was not intentional from me – I’ve already been in touch with Kevin personally and I really wish him a speedy recovery and hope we can see him back on the pitch very soon again.”

  • We wanted to be a stone in Man City shoe – Tuchel

    We wanted to be a stone in Man City shoe – Tuchel

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is full of pride after their shock Champions League final triumph against Manchester City.

    Tuchel has turned Chelsea around after replacing Lampard and won European club football’s biggest prize in just his 30th game in charge.

    The win comes a year after guiding Paris St-Germain to the final, where the Ligue 1 side were narrowly beaten by Bayern Munich.

    He told BT Sport: “To share it with everybody is incredible. We made it. Wow. I don’t know what to feel.

    “I was so grateful to arrive a second time [in the final]. I felt different.

    “The [players] were determined to win this. We wanted to be a stone in their shoe. We encouraged everybody to step up and step out, to be more brave and create dangerous counter-attacks.

    “It was a tough physical game. We had to help each other out.”

  • Guardiola defends tactics after Champions League final loss

    Guardiola defends tactics after Champions League final loss

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defended his lineup selection and tactics after 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday in the Champions League final.

    The Spaniard said he did what he thought was right by cramming his team with creative forces.

    “I did what I thought was the best decision [on his team selection],” Guardiola said to BT Sport.

    “Kevin de Bruyne got injured but that happens in this competition and in these games. We needed everyone.

    “The ambition now is to rest but then prepare for the next season. It was the first time we were at this stage. Hopefully we will be here again in the future.

    “It has been an exceptional season for us. It was a tight game. We had chances. We were brilliant in the second half, we were brave and we could not convert the chances as they were so strong. The players were exceptional. We come back maybe one day again!”

  • Tuchel leads Chelsea to shatter Man City first Champions League trophy hope

    Tuchel leads Chelsea to shatter Man City first Champions League trophy hope

    Kai Havertz’s goal earned Chelsea a second UEFA Champions League crown nine years after their first with a deserved 1-0 victory over domestic rivals Manchester City in Porto on Saturday.

    Thousands of Chelsea fans were in the crowd of 14,110 to see their team lift the trophy in the Dragao Stadium.

    The final match had been moved from Istanbul with Portugal operating under less severe coronavirus restrictions.

    Havertz sparked the celebrations with his 42nd minute goal, created by a super pass from Mason Mount.

    It split the defence and allowed the 21-year-old German to escape goalkeeper Ederson and tap home.

    Manchester City won the domestic championship by a distance but lost to Chelsea both in the league and FA Cup.

    It now means Blues manager Thomas Tuchel completed a whirlwind story of success since taking over from Frank Lampard in January.

    Defeat in their first UEFA Champions League final means Manchester City remain without the biggest prize in European football.

    This is in spite of billions of dollars being spent over the years by their Abu Dhabi owners.

    Chelsea are kings again and Tuchel has glory at the second attempt having lost in the final with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last season.

    Like in 2012, the Stamford Bridge club won having changed managers mid-season.

    “To share it with everybody is incredible,” Tuchel said. “I don’t know what to feel.

    “I was so grateful to arrive a second time [in the final].

    “The [players] were determined to win this. We wanted to be a stone in their shoe. We encouraged everybody to step up and step out, to be more brave and create dangerous counter-attacks.”

    Pep Guardiola was coaching in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since his second triumph with FC Barcelona in 2011.

    But he paid the price for a Manchester City line-up which was incredibly attacking.

    Midfield anchors Fernandinho and Rodri were dropped as Ilkay Guendogan took the deepest role in the centre of the pitch.

    Kevin De Bruyne and Bernando Silva supported Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

    “I did the best with my selection. I tried to pick the best selection to win the game,” said Guardiola.

    “We struggled to break the lines in the first half. The second half was much better.

    “Against the defensive structure of Chelsea it wasn’t easy. We struggled a little bit with the long balls and second balls. In that moment you need inspiration.”

    Manchester City were exposed when Mount’s long pass through the centre found Havertz cutting in to collect and finish for his maiden UEFA Champions League goal.

    “I don’t know what to say. I really don’t know what to say,” said an emotional Havertz.

    “I waited a long time. I’ve waited 15 years for this moment and now it’s here.”

    His goal was the least Chelsea deserved after Havertz’s compatriot Timo Werner spurned two previous great chances to open the scoring.

    The misfiring striker had a fresh air swipe from Havertz’s cut-back and sent a weak shot straight at Ederson having been found by Mount.

    Manchester City in contrast could not get through the solid Chelsea shape which had Jorginho and N’Golo Kante snapping in the middle of the park.

    Even, losing veteran defender Thiago Silva to first half injury did not disturb them.

    In spite of Manchester City’s abundance of creative players, their best chance of the first half came from Ederson’s long ball over the defence.

    But Sterling’s clever attempt was foiled by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

    They did not fare better at the start of the second half.

    De Bruyne’s poor night ended in disappointing fashion when he was substituted for Gabriel Jesus with a head knock after a clash with Antonio Ruediger.

    Fernandinho was introduced for Silva but the next opportunity came for Chelsea, when Havertz set up substitute Christian Pulisic to chip wide on the break.

    Record goalscorer Sergio Aguero was thrown on with 14 minutes remaining.

    But his last game for Manchester City ended in defeat when Mahrez’s awkward shot flew a fraction high in the last minute of injury-time.