Tag Archives: mcfc

Man Utd Fans Want Man City’s Sane – Twitter Reacts To Hoeness Statement

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Following the departures of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben at the end of the season, Bayern Munich have turned their attention to Man City’s Leroy Sane.

They see Sane as a direct replacement for the wingers, and with the German currently being a contract rebel at the Etihad, the signs are looking good for the Bundesliga Champions.

Following an indifferent year for Sane, and seemingly out of favour in Pep Guardiola’s plan. With him preferring either Raheem Sterling or Bernando Silva, even Riyad Mahrez for most of the season, it seems all ways lead of out Manchester.

Having been one of Guardiola’s first signings from Schalke for 37m, it seems Bayern Munich want to spend no more than their record fee of 70m. Furthermore, the Citizens are reportedly looking in the region 90m and not looking to budge on that figure.

However, a few Man United fans have jumped on the Sane train, as they look to close the gap to their rivals, and getting a player of Sane’s quality would certainly improve Solskjaer’s squad.

Twitter seems to be a mixed bag of opinions on Sane, as we see below…

Mr Man City Is The Clubs Best Bit of Business – Agreed

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This article started its lifespan as describing what we learnt about Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend. The answer was not a lot.

Manchester City are a terrifyingly superior side and, don’t defend high up the pitch if it means trying to outpace Raheem Sterling. You won’t do it.

The news that was more shocking came the next day and it was that Vincent Kompany would be leaving the Citizens after 11 years at the Etihad Stadium.

The definition of being in the right place at the right time, Kompany joined the week before the takeover and, has been a major part in the clubs remarkable success over the years. He’s started a charity, he had a (pretty decent) racehorse named after him, Kool Kompany. And became a true fan favourite at the Etihad.

Huge names came and went for transfer fees you couldn’t imagine Man City spending in 2008, but Kompany was there for the long haul. His modest transfer fee was an irrelevance as he made himself an indispensable part of the team, and eventually the obvious choice for the Captain’s armband. His passion for the club and his role there remained immensely obvious throughout his City career, occasionally bubbling over to losing his cool.

However fans were always happy to overlook this, and were often rewarded, no more so than with his last Manchester City goal, his only this season and his only from outside the box.

Kompany is one of the most loyal and passionate players to have been on City’s books. A true Man City legend who I’m sure people will be talking about in decades to come.

THE LOWDOWN: Man City Linked to Atletico Madrid’s Rodri, What Can He Bring To The Champions

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Manchester City are certainly not hiding their interest for Rodri, the 22-year-old midfielder from Atletico Madrid.

Seen as a direct replacement for Fernandinho, the Spaniard will be a regular starter at City next season if he can make the move from Spain to England.

At 33, Brazilian Fernandinho is on the wrong side of the hill so to speak and on occasions during the Blues treble-winning season, the absence in defensive midfield was key as Man City were found wanting on the counter-attack.

Pep Guardiola looks to have found a way around the problem when Fernandinho is absent, playing Ilkay Gundogan in this vital role. Yet the Catalan will want more cover and most importantly, a player with a more defensive mindset.

Though Rodri looks to fit the bill, his strength’s lie in your usual defensive midfield role. Very good in the tackle, blocking the ball and his aerial presence is an added bonus. Alongside his high concentration levels and solid passing game, the Spanish International seems like he would seamlessly fit in the team.

However, Atletico Madrid will want more than just 65 million from Man City. The Spaniards also want Gabriel Jesus in return as they look for a long-term replacement to the departing Antoine Griezmann, who looks likely to complete a 100 million-plus deal across Spain, with Barcelona the likely destination.

Disappointed with his lack of starts, striker Jesus would most likely leave the Premier League to guarantee regular appearances. However, the thought of departing the Champions could be slim, most likely due to the fact he knows his direct competitor in the starting 11, Sergio Aguero, is 31 this June.

Like Rodri, the 22-year-old Brazilian is seen as a Man City man for the next decade at least, especially with the form his side have shown in the past two seasons.

Whether he gives into just substitute appearances by Guardiola could see the arrival of Rodri. The question this swap will come down to whether Jesus fancies 90-minute football every game, and, would City really let a player of his ability go?

Man City fans what do you think?

TRANSFER CHAT: Man City Bid Rejected for Lyon’s Ndombele, Here are Two Alternatives Pep Should Go For Instead

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The Premier League trophy is still cooling down after being passed around a jubilant Man City team, and Pep Guardiola is already planning for next season’s title hunt.

Man City for the past two seasons have been a level above everyone else, albeit just this season as Liverpool pushed the Champions close. Pep knows the hunting pack are going to be upping their game in the close season, and have started to act swiftly in the transfer market that opens today.

Knowing that midfield general Ferdandinho is hitting the twilight years of his career, the need to look for a replacement is high on the priority list. Especially with a possible transfer window ban looming above the Etihad.

The man they seem to be targetting is Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele. The international is creating interest from Europe’s top clubs, hence the quick action taken by the Citizens.

However, Lyon were quick to reject a bid from the Premier League champions. The 45m rated defensive midfielder is one to watch, but Ndombele only arrived at Lyon last summer and could be a hard player to lure away.

Pep maybe should look at these two players instead as alternatives…

Wilfred Ndidi

The Leicester man has filled the hole left by N’Golo Kante a few seasons ago. the youngster has somewhat been under the radar in the Premier League, however, is one of Leicester City’s and the leagues top performing midfielders.

He has plenty of experience in the league and, in no time should adapt to moving a little further up north.

Idrissa Gueye

The Everton midfielder has been a revelation in the Premier League this season under Marco Silva, topping the defensive midfield charts, ahead of the aforementioned Ndidi.

The former Aston Villa man tops the table for the most amount of tackles across Europe in his position; He’s strong, has great anticipation and loves nothing more than breaking up the play.

Who Could Man City Sign as Pep Targets a 200m Summer Spending Spree

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Despite becoming the first team to successfully retain the Premier League title for the first time in a decade, Man City manager Pep Guardiola will target up to four new signings this summer.

A fresh financial fair play scandal has re-surfaced since City won the league after beating Brighton 4-1 on Sunday. Yet despite the success, Guardiola is set to strengthen the squad as he aims to conquer Europe for the first time since 2011.

With a reported 200 million budget set to become open at the Etihad, who could come to the Etihad this season as the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, Fabian Delph and Eliaquim Mangala and Danilo all look set to leave the Premier League champions this summer.

We take a look at some potentials…

Matthijs de Ligt

Having recently turned down a move across town to Man United, The Ajax defender may look over to the east side of Manchester as he looks set to leave Holland.

City look set to move for a new centre back this summer and De Ligt could be a key addition. Yet with Barcelona looking like favourites ahead of the blues, Guardiola may miss out, just like with Jorginho 12 months ago.

Rodri

The Atletico Madrid man could swap clubs with Otamendi this summer and indeed replace Fernandinho in the holding midfield role. The 34-year-old is not getting any younger these days either and, Ilkay Gundogan may not be the man to fill the role particularly in the big European games.

According to the Telegraph, City will meet Atletico’s 60 million request for Rodri. With the CDM role such a priority, the chances are this price will be met and equal the club transfer record currently held by Riyad Mahrez.

Harry Maguire

Featuring as a potential signing for Man United last week by thefootballmancave.com, Maguire may not be a bad move to City either and finding negatives for the England international is a tricky one.

Admired by Guardiola, Maguire knows the league better than any up and coming foreign star. At 26 years old, he can play in this City team with John Stones and Aymeric Laporte for many years to come. Captain Vincent Kompany may extend his contract by another year too.

Arsenal and Chelsea will join the Manchester clubs in the hunt at a price of 60 million.

Houssem Aouar

Premier League rivals Liverpool will do battle with City off the pitch this summer before they go again next August on it.

Aouar can play in a variety of midfield roles including the ‘number six’ position, one that will bring music to Guardiola’s ears. Having scored seven goals in his breakthrough Ligue 1 season.

In the Champions League last season, the blues only took one point out of a possible six against the French team. Having been described as ‘incredible’ by the Catalan, it would be no surprise to see him in sky blue come pre-season.

Two Heavyweights Go The Distance and Man City Find One More KO Punch Over Liverpool

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It’s been an incredible battle at the top of the table this season in the Premier League, with Manchester City and Liverpool going toe to toe for most of 2019.

Liverpool looked to put some distance between them and Peps men over Christmas, but the relentlessness of Manchester City meant that a hares breath separated the two teams on the final day.

I imagine several fans were nervous, and this was not helped by Liverpool getting an early goal or Brighton going ahead. Had we blown it…Had we heck.

If there is one man you want to get a ball to in front of goal it’s Sergio Aguero, and he scored a cool goal to get City level. Some shocking defending from Brighton helped Laporte pop with an excellent header, followed by a strike from Mahrez that was arguably his best moment of the season. A free kick Beckham would have been proud of saw City win, not only a game against a struggling side as expected but the League title.

The game as a whole was something of a metaphor for their whole season, going behind and leaving it nerve-wrackingly late to land the win.

All season city have been fantastic, less a few odd results losing to Crystal Palace and Newcastle. When they have got going they have been like a freight train, frankly unstoppable. Embodied again in the game against Brighton when they scored four in a show of strength and quality.

Perhaps the most incredible thing about a team winning the league with 98 points, and winning 14 games in a row is the manager doesn’t believe this team is “done.” Guardiola is a relentless perfectionist and thinks there is room for improvement in this side, which arguably on their day are the best in Europe. Perhaps fielding the best players in the world, in the likes of De Bruyne, Arguero and the player he improved beyond recognition, Sterling.

With this in mind City’s domination looks set to continue indefinitely, and it’s hard to see how the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United can catch up.

A thrilling end to a thrilling season, and the excitement keeps building for what’s to come.

Man City fans, is this season and back-to-back titles your best yet?

Two of Man City’s Ageing Players Pep Has To Look For Long Term Replacements This Summer

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Manchester City’s squad contains some of the most exciting young talents in football, however, it also has plenty of players who have been with the club since their first taste of success.

There is no escaping the fact that some of these old fan favourites will at some point need to leave the club. City are always evolving and looking for the best players out there, and no doubt the players below have provided more than enough value for their money, and they’ll be sure to try to find similar long term investments.

With the old guard soon to be outgoing, Pep Guardiola’s team will be looking to seamlessly integrate any new signings possibly this season with City looking to tie up their summer deals as quick as possible with the club on the verge of back-to-back titles.

We have a look at the two players below…

Sergio Aguero

I hope Aguero is with the club until he retires. However, part of what has made City so imperious is their incredible front line. There are some seriously talented players but none quite as sharp footed. Sterling looks a potential heir to that throne, but then who replaces Sterling? With Mahrez maybe not to the standard, it’s maybe time to start looking for another star striker.

Vincent Kompany

Another one that might not be well received! I don’t want to see Vinny out and again hope he stays with City until he retires. But the captain is an important role to fill and fill correctly. While occasionally hot-headed he is a loyal, passionate player who will wear his heart in his sleeve and be very unselfish in many ways as well as an excellent leader to the many young player’s City has.

A huge act to follow and it would be a hard man to replace. It is more likely that the likes of John Stones will fill this role, but then it’s making sure that there is another young player waiting in the wings as a deputy.

This looks set to be a fascinating transfer window across the whole league, but I imagine several neutral eyes will be on City, and a lot of summer talk will be about what Pep does.

Captain Fantastic Kompany Strikes Once Again For Man City

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It seems to be a reoccurring theme in a Man City title run-in, a Vincent Kompany goal when his team needs it the most – and what a goal too.

Man City huffed and puffed against a tough and revitalised Leicester side under Brendan Rodgers, taking until the 70th minute to break down the Foxes and earned the all-important three points to take them back to the top of the Premier League.

Manchester City captain Kompany, a 5m signing back in 2008 under then boss Mark Hughes has been an ever-present figure in the team. He has seen the turn around for the Citizens and, played in the core of all three title-winning sides.

When they have needed him, he has always popped up with a season-changing goal, none more so memorable than the header against Man United which swung the momentum pendulum in City’s favour that day. Leading them to their first Premier League title of the modern era.

Following an emotional final whistle, they’ll be plenty of rumours around the Belgium international’s future. With what seemed a little bit of a cryptic interview afterwards, and a look of a man who was drinking it all in for one of the final times.

If and it’s a big if, as they’re no rumours to suggest Kompany is hanging up his boots or moving on to pastures new. No doubt he has once again written himself further into Man City folklore, with this 30-yard thunderbolt which has put the title firmly in City’s hands.

The passion and pure heart that Kompany has shown during his time at the Etihad is, something that when he does eventually move on, will be very hard to replace. Captain Incredible has once again shown the leader that he is, and his goal is the perfect rally cry to finish the job against Brighton on Sunday in the afternoon kick-off.

Pep Goes Against His Former Team Barcelona For Ajax Star Matthijs de Ligt But What’s All The Fuss About?

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Manchester City are always on the lookout for Europe’s best talent to improve their already incredible team, and none come more exciting than Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.

With the possible departure of Nicolas Otamendi and legendary club captain Vincent Kompany getting to his twilight years, City need to continue their impressive recruitment by bringing in a player of age and quality – De Ligt fits the bill perfectly.

It seems Ajax are going to be a victim of their own success this transfer window, much like Monaco a few seasons ago. Ajax have built a team of talented youngsters and they have all seemed to come to fruition at the same time. With most of the European giants starting to hover around, it looks like the Dutch defender is the target for Pep’s old side Barcelona also, with the competition for buying the best hots up massively again this year.

The 19-year-old looks strong in the air and his passing game would suit Pep Guardiola’s style perfectly, however his tackling can let him down at times. This is where Kompany’s experience and guidance in his latter years would pay dividends.

De Ligt has also found himself on scoresheet four times this season in his 45 appearances, as Ajax push for the Eredivisie title and a possible Champions League final.

The 63m rated star is already a full Dutch international, with 15 appearances and one goal for his country – which in itself speaks volumes of this lads talent and hype. No doubt many clubs will be linked, nevertheless, when Man City come knocking, especially with Pep, you can’t see many players turning that chance down lightly.

Manchester City fans what do you think, do you think De Ligt fits the Pep bill perfectly, or is there someone else you’d prefer?

Is it Time to Bid Farewell to the Premier League’s Top Six?

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As the Premier League season draws to a close, the inevitability of who the top six clubs will be is once again plain to see.

In the entire history of the Premier League, only Blackburn in 1994/95 and Leicester City in 2015/16 managed to buck the trend and top the table. For the other 25 seasons, it has been one of the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea or Arsenal.

This demonstrates the gulf that exists between the six richest clubs in the country and everyone else. There hasn’t been a single season in which at least two of the current top six, haven’t finished in the Champions League or Europa League places.

Currently, Wolves sit 11 points adrift in 7th place and although this is a very credible performance by the West Midlands club, it does show that all the rest of the Premier League is doing is making up the numbers.

It’s a similar situation in Europe with PSG in France 16 points clear, Juventus 18 points above Napoli in Italy. Ajax and PSV 18 points ahead in Holland and Barcelona nearly 30 points ahead of fifth-placed Sevilla in Spain, and Germany dominated by Bayern where 10 points separate 3rd and 4th places.

There have been rumours of interest by European clubs in a breakaway League, which some would say already exists in the UK. Not so long ago, German publication Der Spiegel ran a story about talks between Europe’s top clubs on the possibility of a breakaway league.

Many of the clubs allegedly involved were quick to distance themselves from the story, but given that most of the big clubs have the interests of their shareholders in mind rather than that of their supporters, the idea will not be seen as one which should be discounted.

The original idea that the vast amounts of money that have come into the game would trickle down to the lower leagues has proved to be just a pipe dream. As in real life, the poor have got poorer and, the rich have got very richer indeed.

With what seems like a weekly occurrence, clubs with solid support and a rich footballing history are finding themselves facing ruin as a result of massive debt. Much of this can be attributed to the fact, that clubs have found themselves needing to pay extortionate wages in order to attract players to reach the promised land of the Premier League.

Before the TV money came along, it was the people who came through the turnstiles who dictated the success of a club, now their contribution is looked at as little more than small change. The Far East market is an almost bottomless pit of merchandise sales to people who will never set foot in Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge, yet whose money is funding the chasm, which grows wider every season between the haves and have nots.

There is a growing crisis which needs to be addressed in British football, and if it means losing the countries top clubs and returning to the state that existed before Sky arrived then it is a price the sport may have to pay.

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