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Tag: Man City

  • Why Foden better for Man City than England – Lescott

    Why Foden better for Man City than England – Lescott

    Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has weighed in on the debate about Phil Foden.

    Many fans and pundits have been debating whether the City star is good enough for the Three Lions.

    Foden has not impressed for his national team in the past couple of years, despite having six Premier League titles and a Champions League to his name.

    Lescott, speaking to the Filthy Fellas Podcast, said: “It’s not a position it’s just getting players into areas where they can affect the game.”

    “It’s like the Trent one,” Lescott said, referencing Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool.

    “He doesn’t have to be (starting) in midfield but can you get him into those areas of the field where those passes can be made?”

  • I’m covering for Rodri – Kovacic

    I’m covering for Rodri – Kovacic

    Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic was delighted with his brace in their 3-2 win against Fulham.

    City came from a goal down to earn a difficult three points on the day.

    Kovacic later said, “Yeah, it was a tough game, like every game here in the Premier League.

    “There is no easy game in the league. I think we dominated in the beginning and could have scored. We then conceded and then came back quickly.

    “In the end we won it. It was a tough game against an opposition in good form, so for us it is good to continue on a winning form. It is never easy to play in the Premier League and today we showed great character. Good game for us.

    “The manager told us (midfielders) we should be around the box because we’re always there. Today we pushed.

    “Luckily I was there, Bernardo gave me a great ball, in the end it was a good control and a good shot. So it was important as always that we win. It means a lot because my wife is pregnant so it was great to get some goals for the little one.

    “It doesn’t matter who scores, the most important are the three points and hopefully now we can continue like this.”

    Kovacic also said, “I’m playing at the moment there so I need to cover for Rodri. We miss him a lot, I think any team would miss a player like Rodri.

    “We wish him a speedy recovery and that he comes back in good shape as soon as possible. But for now we have to adapt and for sure the manager has a lot of options so we can rotate.

    “We play every three days and every game is a tough one. It is not easy and we have to adapt to the schedule. It is what it is. We have to be in top form every day.”

  • EPL: Pep Guardiola frustrated after after Newcastle draw

    EPL: Pep Guardiola frustrated after after Newcastle draw

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted frustration after their 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in Saturday’s early kickoff.

    Josko Gvardiol had City ahead before Anthony Gordon converted a penalty for the draw.

    Guardiola later said: “They had moments in first ten minutes and after their goal, but in general we played really good.

    “We made bad decisions at the last minute to make it 2-0. It is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep. We had chances but (Nick) Pope was brilliant so we take the point.

    “When we scored we played better. We make a mistake and after they play better. But then we take the game again and had chances to win it.”

    On Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis in midfield, he added: “Mateo was brilliant, Rico too. Bernardo played there. Really good.”

  • Guardiola admits Rodri replacement signing discussed

    Guardiola admits Rodri replacement signing discussed

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits they may act in January to replace Rodri.

    The Spain midfielder’s season is over after undergoing ACL surgery on Friday.

    City have been linked with Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci as a replacement for the January market.

    And Guardiola said: “We will see.

    “We talked today with Txiki (Begiristain, sports director), we will see what’s going on. We don’t have to decide tomorrow, right?

    “We have time to see the potential problems we will have and after we will see.”

  • Arsenal defender fires fresh message at Haaland, Man City

    Arsenal defender fires fresh message at Haaland, Man City

    Arsenal defender Gabriel has stoked up the title rivalry between them and Manchester City.

    The Brazilian defender spoke after his team’s 2-2 draw against City in the Premier League on Sunday.

    The Gunners were down to ten men for the second half, but rallied to avoid defeat.

    Post-game, Gunners defender Gabriel warned: “We are waiting for them at our ground.”

    Asked about an incident when Erling Haaland threw the ball at the back of his head, Gabriel said: “No, I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it.

    “It’s normal. But anyway, congratulations to the team for the draw.

    “As I said, battle, war, provocation is normal in football and it is part of the game. It’s over now. Now we are waiting for them at our ground.”

  • EPL: Man City secure late draw against Arsenal

    EPL: Man City secure late draw against Arsenal

    Manchester City rescued a draw in dramatic circumstances against Arsenal as John Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser meant Sunday’s early-season title showdown ended in a 2-2 draw.

    City started brightly and went ahead inside the first 10 minutes as Erling Haaland latched onto a Savinho through-ball and prodded home a first-time finish for his 100th goal for the English champions in just 105 appearances.

    An injury to Rodri, however, turned the game on its head, as Arsenal equalised shortly after the Ballon d’Or contender was forced to hobble off with a knee injury as Riccardo Calafiori fired in a curling effort from 20 yards.

    The visitors from north London then took the lead early in first-half stoppage-time as Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest to head home a corner from close-ranger, only for the Gunners’ joy to turn to anguish as Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card moments later.

    As such, the second 45 minutes was played almost entirely on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, and while David Raya saved from Kyle Walker, Haaland and Josko Gvardiol, City eventually found a way through in the 98th minute as Stones prodded home after a Jack Grealish cross bounced around the penalty area.

    Goal

  • EPL: 5 talking points ahead of Arsenal, Man City clash

    EPL: 5 talking points ahead of Arsenal, Man City clash

    Arsenal travel to the Etihad this Sunday in a game that is crucial in the title race this season, here are 5 talking points ahead of what is a huge game.

    WILL ERLING HAALAND’S SCORING SPREE CONTINUE?

    The Norwegian has scored nine goals in four Premier League games with his latest against Brentford which broke a 13-year-old Wayne Rooney record for Manchester United in 2011/12.

    The 24-year-old is also on a total of 99 goals in just 103 appearances for the club across all competitions and a strike against Arsenal would see him become a centurion for the Citizens.

    Haaland has played 6 games against Arsenal and has 2 goals and 2 assists which is relatively low for the striker. He has one final game to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning record for the least games taken to score 100 goals – with Sunday set to be his 105th appearance which should motivate him ahead of the game even more.

    WILL ARSENAL MISS THEIR CAPTAIN?

    Martin Odegaard is hoping to be back in eight weeks after his ankle injury blow with a Christmas return seeming likely. The Gunners fared well without him against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby but there is a feeling that without their captain the Arsenal side could fall apart against a team like City.

    Manager Mikel Arteta’s side only managed a single goal against Tottenham after a set piece, then failed to score against Italians Atalanta in the Champions League in mid-week which suggests that the creative side of the team has been washed away with the Norwegian sat watching from the sidelines.

    This could prove fatal against a strong City defence which will be locked tight this weekend as without a midfielder with a key to unlock it means Pep Guardiola’s side are likely to keep a clean sheet.

    WILL THE RESULT BE DECISIVE IN THE TITLE RACE?

    It is too early to say if this game will decide the title but 3 points here could make a huge difference at the end of the season.

    City are the favourites this season and there is no doubt that if the Gunners do take any points away from them then it opens the door for themselves and the likes of Liverpool to step in and push for the title.

    CAN ARSENAL CONTINUE THEIR DEFENSIVE RECORD?

    Arsenal have conceded just one goal in five games, keeping four clean sheets and despite the threat of Haaland they will be confident going into this fixture with such a strong defensive line.

    Their mid-week clash against Atalanta saw goalkeeper David Raya make a double save to keep out striker Mateo Retegui’s penalty as they were held to a 0-0 draw in which their defence was the standout feature once again.

    Arteta’s side showed once again how they have a defence that can shut down any game which gives Guardiola something to think about ahead of Sunday.

    SHOULD ARSENAL AGAIN PLAY FOR A DRAW?

    When City lifted the title last season it was Rodri who pointed out Arsenal’s poor mentality which led them to finish second.

    “When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said: ‘Ah, these guys, they don’t want to beat us, they just want a draw.’ And that mentality, I don’t think we would do it the same way.”

    That game was played in March, near the end of a brutal title race and now despite it being early in the season the narrative repeats itself as Arsenal could either go all out or use their strong defence to capture a point.

    Tribalfootball

  • Haaland scores back-to-back hat-trick in West Ham win

    Haaland scores back-to-back hat-trick in West Ham win

    Erling Haaland continued his superb start to the season by hitting back-to-back hat-tricks as defending champions Manchester City beat West Ham United at London Stadium.

    The Norway striker struck twice in the first half and added a third late on to take his tally to seven goals in three games and maintain City’s 100% start to the campaign.

    Haaland slid in a 10th-minute opener after receiving a pass from Bernardo Silva, but West Ham drew level when Ruben Dias turned Jarrod Bowen’s cross into his own net.

    Haaland restored City’s lead midway through the first half, driving a fierce strike into the roof of the net.

    The Hammers had struggled to get a foothold in the game but hit the woodwork early in the second half through Mohammed Kudus following a quick break.

    That chance sparked them into life and for a significant period they had their opponents on the back foot.

    But they did not threaten Ederson enough and Haaland – quiet for much of the second half – beat the offside trap late on to get his and City’s third.

    The win means Pep Guardiola’s side are already top of the table in the early stages of this season while West Ham are 13th with three points from three games.

    BBC

  • Transfer: Ilkay Gundogan returns to Manchester City

    Transfer: Ilkay Gundogan returns to Manchester City

    Manchester City have completed the signing of former captain Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona on an initial one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

    The German midfielder, who was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at the club in 2016, spent seven years at City before joining Barcelona on a free transfer in 2023.

    The 33-year-old won 14 trophies in his first spell at the Etihad, scoring 60 goals in 304 appearances.

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

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

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

    Despite an impressive debut campaign in Spain, Barcelona decided to part with Gundogan after struggling to register new signing Dani Olmo due to the club’s financial issues.

    Gundogan was one of the club’s highest earners and his departure on a free transfer will help Barcelona comply with La Liga spending restrictions.

    “I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad,” Gundogan wrote on Instagram following the announcement.

    Gundogan added he had been “looking forward to helping my team-mates in the new campaign” but he was “grateful” to have spent 12 months at the club.

    Capped 82 times for Germany, Gundogan announced his international retirement following the country’s Euro 2024 exit in the quarter-finals to Spain.

    BBC

  • Man City defender reveals teammate as his football father

    Man City defender reveals teammate as his football father

    Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has heaped praise on teammate Mateo Kovacic.

    The two are well acquainted, as they play for the same club and national team.

    As the duo prepare for the Community Shield against Manchester United on Saturday, Gvardiol spoke about his adaptation to England since his move to City last summer.

    “I always like to compare the time I signed for Leipzig and last season with you guys,” Gvardiol told the official Man City Podcast.

    “In Leipzig, I was alone, I didn’t have anyone to speak with especially in Croatian and I don’t speak German so it was difficult for me.

    “I had Mateo with me and I would say he’s like my father, he’s always there for me and he takes me everywhere.

    “Everywhere they go, he just says comes with us because I live alone, I’m single and my parents live in Croatia but they come often.

    “But a lot of the time I’m alone here and he’s the one who always like to call me, to invite me for lunch or dinner or whatever. It’s a different story to the one I had in Leipzig.”