Manchester City News

Man City have lost their flair - but Guardiola's team are showing the fight required to be champions

2016-11-26T07:58:00.001-08:00

Sergio Aguero celebrates with his team-mates scoring his side's second goal.

Total football - it was not.

Sergio Aguero’s strike that ultimately decided it was a total mess, as far as Burnley were concerned.

It’s safe to assume this is not Pep Guardiola’s vision of Manchester City.

But until the Catalan can get this team playing anything like those he produced at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, he will at least be satisfied with their ability to drag themselves over the line.

That was the case at Crystal Palace seven days earlier.

And in the Saturday lunchtime kick off at Turf Moor they needed to show their grit and resilience to overcome Burnley 2-1.

At Selhurst Park it was Toure rolling back the years with both goals in the 2-1 win.

On this occasion it was another veteran of City’s recent glories - Aguero who proved the match-winner.

Aguero nets City's first goal

In that respect Guardiola is following the well-trodden patch of his predecessors Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini.

How many times did they have to turn to that pair to pull City out of the mire?

That’s what world class players do - and as Guardiola experiences his first winter in English football he may find he has to rely on the tried and trusted with increasing regularity over the coming months.

The football that was from another planent in the opening weeks of the campaign has given way to fractious, disjointed displays in recent weeks.

Guardiola’s ever-changing cast of defenders continue to alarm.

Much of the fluid attacking football has deserted them too.

Aguero (left) celebrates with team-mate Nolito after grabbing City's second

Toure’s double against Palace came courtesy of a deflection and a defensive mix up.

Both of Aguero’s goals against Burnley were the result of calamitous defending.

His 37th minute equaliser - after Dean Marney had volleyed Burnley ahead from the edge of the box - came as a result of a goal-mouth scramble. The Argentine eventually poked home from close range when the ball squirmed through to him.

His second was positively cartoonish - Burnley squandering four or five opportunities to clear before Fernandinho’s cross was bundled over the line.

For the second week in succession it was an unconvincing display from Guardiola’s team - with Claudio Bravo having to produce two injury time saves to secure the points.The champagne football that he hopes to bring to City on a consistent basis will have to wait.

The Premier League will be won with fight, as much as flair - and Guardiola is showing he has plenty of that.

2016-11-20T05:25:00.002-08:00

With the claim earlier this week that the Barcelona star will not sign another contract with the club he has spent his entire career at, City have stepped up their preparations over a potential move.They are willing to pay more than £100m as a transfer fee and pay Messi £500,000-a-week in wages in order to reunite him with Pep Guardiola. Another name not unfamiliar to this column is Juventus defender Alex Sandro.The Brazilian left-back's name has cropped up before in relation to City and City have apparently scouted him in Serie A - but will have to move quickly before he signs a new contract.

Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester City Yaya Toure scores twice but Kompany injured again

2016-11-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Yaya Toure of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016 in London, England.

Yaya Toure made a spectacular return to Manchester City's first team - scoring twice as Pep Guardiola’s side saw off Crystal Palace, writes JAMES ROBSON.

Conor Wickham had threatened to spoil the party with his second half strike that looked like earning the home side a point.

But Toure, whose deflected effort put City in front in the first half, tapped home with seven minutes to go to secure a 2-1 win.

The Ivorian was a shock inclusion - starting his first Premier League game of the season.

And he made an emphatic statement opening the scoring after 39 minutes.

Palace came out with renewed vigour in the second half - piling the pressure on City’s goal while Selhurst Park rocked.

And just seconds after Sergio Aguero came within a whisker of putting the game out of sight Wickham struck.

With City staring down the barrell of a fourth draw in their last five Premier League games, Toure was on hand to tap over the line from six yards.

The one negative for City was another injury blow to Vincent Kompany, who lasted only 37 minutes with suspected concussion.

Pep Guardiola's sex rules for a good night's sleep

2016-11-15T05:30:00.004-08:00

Nasri has scored three goals in 10 appearances for Sevilla this season

Pep Guardiola wants his Manchester City players to refrain from having sex after midnight, according to on-loan French midfielder Samir Nasri.

The 29-year-old said the City boss imposed the rule, even if the team did not have a game the next day, so players get "a good night's sleep".

Guardiola is also claimed to have said it helped Barcelona forward Lionel Messi avoid muscle injuries.

Nasri was sent on a season-long loan to Sevilla on transfer deadline day.

He told French TV programme L'Équipe du Soir that Guardiola "wants his players to be slim and fit".

Nasri added: "He banned a lot of things in the kitchen but the biggest anecdote is that he says before a day off, those who want to have (sexual) relations it's before midnight. And that's with a day off the next day. It's because he wants you to have a good night's sleep."

Nasri, who signed for City in 2011, added: "He said he told that to Messi, who since then does not get muscle injuries."

The midfielder made one appearance for City this season, before he was loaned to the La Liga club

Guardiola did not allow Nasri to train with the main group during pre-season as he had returned overweight.

"Guardiola told me that I was a mess, he told me several times and even kicked me in the butt, literally," added Nasri.

Lionel Messi opens the door for Manchester City after refusing Barcelona talks

2016-11-14T09:14:00.002-08:00

According to Marca, Lionel Messi has told Barcelona that he doesn’t want to extend his Barcelona contract at the moment.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Lionel Messi told Barcelona back in July that he didn’t want to sign a contract extension with Barcelona as he wants to keep his options open.

This means that Manchester City may well be on red alert if Messi doesn’t choose to renew his contract as the man commonly known as the world’s best player would be available on a free transfer.

Marca report that “Manchester City are the club that has a greater chance of acquiring his services” due to the appeal of Pep Guardiola on the bench and the project that is unfolding at the Etihad.

As well as the ongoing project at Manchester City, Lionel Messi may be keen to move elsewhere due to the ongoing tax investigation in Spain, during which he was sentenced to 21 months in prison, although he won’t serve that time.

However, it’s important to note that Marca is a Madrid based publication and the story could merely be created to cause discontent within Barcelona.

Man City goalkeeper Caballero explains what makes Stones SO special

2016-11-13T07:51:00.001-08:00

Man City defender John Stones is such a special talent because he has maturity beyond his years, according to team-mate Willy Caballero .

The 22-year-old has impressed since his £47.5 million move from Everton in the summer and has found a kindred spirit in boss Pep Guardiola .

Known for his love of playing out from the back, Stones has become a key player for both City and England - despite being just 22.

Having witnessed Stones' seamless start first hand, Caballero feels the Three Lions are in safe hands ahead of the visit of Spain on Tuesday.

“He’s different to the normal centre-back in England,” he told mancity.com “They are always big and very good with high balls. John plays really well from the right side, the left side, and his passing always tries to build something.

“He does everything very well. We are really happy with him. I’m pretty sure England have a great centre-back for a long time.

“To play with John, with Nico, with Vincent, with Kola - for me, as a ‘keeper, is wonderful, because they have confidence and they have quality.

“John is so young but he plays as though he has been around for more years. He is growing up now with Pep and hopefully England can have a great centre-back in him.”

Man City's Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne earn Ballon d'Or nominations

2016-11-13T07:47:00.003-08:00

Sergio Aguero is in the running to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

The Manchester City striker was the first of five names announced by France Football on Monday morning as part of a 30-man shortlist that will be revealed through the course of the day.

Joining him in contention are Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Real Madrid pair Cristiano Ronalo and Gareth Bale.

Kevin De Bruyne was part of the second batch of names that featured fellow attackers Paulo Dybala, Antoine Griezmann, and Gonzalo Higuain and also Diego Godin.

Aguero is feeling the heat at City as he attempts to understand and carry out what Pep Guardiola wants from him, and failure to net against Southampton made it three league games without a goal for the first time since December 2015.

Yet that statistic also reveals how consistent he has been this year, and his performances have been recognised.

Having merged in 2010, the Ballon d'Or has now parted ways with the Fifa World Player of the Year prize, meaning there will be two separate awards.

Man City 'monitor' Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez as Guardiola considers £50m move

2016-11-13T07:43:00.001-08:00

Sanchez is in a contract 'stand off' with Arsenal

The Arsenal forward is said to be in a contract stand-off at the Emirates, which has put Manchester City and Juventus on alert.

The Mirror claim it could spark a £50m battle between Guardiola and Italian champions Juve.City’s manager worked with Sanchez during his time at Barcelona and has remained an admirer.The Chilean’s reputation has grown further since moving to Arsenal and he has been outstanding this season.He will move into the final year of his contract in the summer, with Wenger determined to tie him down to a long-term deal.But Arsenal will not risk losing the 27-year-old for nothing - which is why interested parties will keep a close eye on the negotiations.Guardiola has been critical of City’s failure to kill off opponents this season and has repeatedly demanded more from leading scorer Sergio Aguero.Brazilian international Gabriel Jesus will arrive in January following his summer move from Palmeiras - but Guardiola plans to further overhaul the squad he inherited from Manuel Pellegrini.

How Guardiola beat Mourinho to the 'new Neymar' and Man City got one over Manchester United

2016-11-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

Jesus has been dubbed the new Neymaer in Brazil

A delegation of representatives for Gabriel Jesus is due to fly in next month ahead of the 19-year-old’s move to Manchester City.

Among those expected is Giovanni Branchini - the Italian super agent, who has helped guide the careers of some of the game’s finest players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and his Brazilian namesake.

As Europe’s leading clubs targeted the teenage striker, Branchini was mandated to help broker a deal.And despite the interest of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Jesus was convinced to further his career under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.It is believed that a bigger personal package was on offer from Old Trafford - but the brightest prospect in Brazil was advised to make City his next move as Guardiola embarks on overhauling the squad he inherited from Manuel Pellegrini.

Guardiola has high hopes for Jesus when he arrives in January

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach is eager to manage expectations of a player, who is leaving his homeland for the first time - and will arrive in Manchester along with his mother.

But age and experience aside, City have recruited Brazil’s new No9 - and the weight of history that brings with it.

One of the heroes of his country’s gold medal in Rio, Jesus has been described as the ‘new Neymar’.

Guardiola, himself, is convinced City have signed ‘goals’ - comparing his instinct for finishing to that of Sergio Aguero.

And the anticipation is that Jesus will provide competition for Aguero up front, at a time when the Argentine’s future continues to be the source of intense scrutiny.City’s leading scorer has agreed a one-year extension to his contract - but his status as an ‘untouchable’ has been broken by Guardiola.

The Catalan’s great frustration in his opening months in charge at the Etihad has been what he perceives to be a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

Aguero has scored 14 goals in 15 games - but has also missed three penalties.

His failure to convert a gilt-edged chance against Middlesbrough last weekend came back to haunt City as the Premier League newcomers struck late on to earn a draw.

In short, Jesus heads to Manchester with every opportunity to become a pivotal figure for Guardiola in the second half of the campaign.That is likely to have been in the mind of Branchini as the starlet’s future was being mapped out.

What hope of forcing his way into Barca’s star-studded MSN frontline of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar?

Branchini has a rich history of representing some of the biggest names, so it is no surprise his counsel was sought for Jesus.

The feeling at City is that they’ve landed a future superstar.

In establishing himself as Brazil’s No9 in his first two months as a senior international, he is probably ahead of schedule.

But it points to the potential of a player who could have had his pick of Europe’s biggest clubs
.

Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo hands Pep Guardiola injury scare as he hobbles off in World Cup qualifier

2016-11-12T09:59:00.000-08:00

It's the second scare during the international break for Guardiola just days after skipper Vincent Kompany

MANCHESTER CITY could be facing a goalkeeper crisis after Claudio Bravo suffered a knee injury during Chile’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia on Thursday night.

Bravo limped away from a heavy collision in the second half following a clash with Santiago Arias, the City keeper raced off his line to block an effort during the goalless draw in Barranquilla.

Bravo going in feet first in challenge with Colombian defender

The 33-year-old keeper injured himself blocking a run into the box by Arias, Bravo did struggle on for a few minutes after receiving treatment before asking to be replaced.

It’s these times in the football calendar club managers dread as they wave goodbye to their star players and pray they return in one piece, sometimes less than 48 hours before weekend league games.

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Bravo down and out in clash with Colombian defender Santiago Arias

City boss Pep Guardiola will now endure an anxious wait to discover the extent of his keepers injury.

Guardiola has put all his faith in the 33-year-old keeper who moved to City from Barcelona in August at the expense of Joe Hart who moved to Torino on loan

Willy Cabellero could be called into action against Crystal Palace

The only other senior keeper available would be 35-year-old Willy Cabellero who hasn’t always convinced between the sticks since his arrival from Malaga in 2014. to Crystal Palace after the international break.

The City boss will need all his experienced players available in order to get back on track in the title race.

Pep Guardiola needs all his experienced players fit and ready for League trip to Crystal Palace

It's the second injury setback Guardiola has suffered this week while his players are away on international duty.

Skipper Vincent Kompany withdrew from Belgium's friendly with Holland after feeling discomfort in the pre-match warm up.

The Belgian defender will stay with the squad but is not expected to be risked in their World Cup qualifier against Estonia on Sunday.

Sergio Aguero: Manchester City striker out for up to eight weeks

2013-12-17T16:49:00.000-08:00

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero could be out of action for up to eight weeks, says manager Manuel Pellegrini.

The Argentine, City's leading scorer this season with 19 goals, injured his calf during Saturday's 6-3 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal.

It was originally thought he would be out for a month but Pellegrini revealed the latest prognosis after the 3-1 Capital One Cup win over Leicester.

"The doctor has said he has at least one month or eight weeks," he said.

Aguero, who has scored 13 times in the league, netted the opener against the Gunners before limping off at the start of the second half.

"I don't know how many weeks but it will be at least one month," added Pellegrini. "It is very difficult to know at this moment how many weeks it can be."

If Aguero is unable to recover for eight weeks he stands to miss crucial matches against Chelsea in the Premier League, and Barcelona in the Champions League.

City are also waiting for news of defender Pablo Zabaleta, who limped off after just 12 minutes at the King Power Stadium with a hamstring injury, a week after fellow defender Micah Richards suffered the same problem during the 3-2 win over Bayern Munich.

"It's a pity for Pablo because he felt a little problem in his hamstring and we'll see tomorrow how damaging it is," said Pellegrini.

George Smith: Prolific goalscorer for Manchester City

2013-08-28T02:52:00.001-07:00

George Smith, who once scored four times for Manchester City in a derby rout of Manchester United, died just five days before the passing of his friend and team-mate Bert Trautmann. Like the celebrated German goalkeeper, the 92-year-old's story was one of triumph over adversity inflicted by the Second World War: Smith became a prolific goalscorer despite a shocking injury sustained under "friendly fire" while serving in East Africa.

Smith was a sergeant on secondment with the King's African Rifles when his unit was mistakenly strafed by the South African airforce. He was struck in the arm, leaving one hand partially paralysed and the arm so disfigured that he always wore a glove or pulled down the sleeve of his shirt to cover the damage. The City historian Gary James, who interviewed him in 2003, described how the fingers and hand were "permanently rigid in a clasping fashion" while his arm still had "two large indentations where the bullet entered and exited his flesh".

City officials doubted whether he would be able to resume his career once the fighting was over, making Smith undergo trials before renewing his contract of £2/10s/0d per week. He came through them all. When he collected a hat-trick against Tranmere Rovers in the war-time North Regional League on the opening day of the 1944-45 campaign – his first outing for City in two and a half years – it was evident that his finishing prowess had survived intact.

Smith, whose family moved from the Fylde coast to Salford when he was young, joined City from the Adelphi Lads Club in 1938, when supporters were trying to fathom how a team that won the Football League championship 12 months earlier had just been relegated. After the outbreak of war and suspension of the Football League a year later, he made his senior bow in a wartime fixture against Stockport County in December 1939, perhaps surprisingly failing to score in a 6-6 draw. There were further wartime outings for City, as well as guest appearances with Scottish side Heart of Midlothian, before he was called up for active service.

In April 1946, in one of City's last wartime matches, Smith hit all the goals, including three in seven minutes, in a 4-1 defeat of United before 62,000 spectators at Maine Road, where the Reds were staging home fixtures after the German bombing of Old Trafford. "It was nice," he told James, "for the landlord to get one over the tenants."

Smith finally made his Football League debut at Leicester City in August 1946 – a mere eight years after he signed for City. Operating in the inside-left position, he was the leading scorer with 23 goals in 38 matches as they took the Second Division title. Over the next four seasons he amassed 52 goals in 125 League games and was told that the Football Association had watched him with a view to a possible England cap – but were "nervous" about his disability.

With hindsight, it seems surprising not only that City were prepared to offload the 29-year-old Smith in 1951 (after 80 goals in 179 peacetime appearances and 45 in 90 wartime games), but also that the club who splashed £5,000 on him were Chesterfield, of the Third Division (North). He continued to strike consistently, scoring at least 15 goals in each of five consecutive seasons and representing the section against the Third (South) in a televised match at Accrington in 1955. When he retired from full-time football, in 1958, he had added 102 goals in 266 competitive matches for Chesterfield, the third highest tally in their history.

In January that year he had appeared as a guest when This Is Your Life honoured his friend Matt Busby, who had been United's manager barely a year when Smith plundered four goals against his charges. Within a month a plane carrying the Scot and his dazzling young side, the Busby Babes, had crashed at Munich with a heavy loss of life.

Playing part-time for Mossley and Hyde United, Smith worked in the sales department of a tyre-manufacturer. He spent his final five years in a care home, widowed and suffering from dementia. Trautmann, in what would prove a poignant final interview, recalled how Smith had "really welcomed me when I joined the club". He added: "George was a great goalscorer, and even to play football again after such a terrible injury made him exceptional."

George Beacher Smith, footballer: born Fleetwood, Lancashire 7 February 1921; played for Manchester City 1946-51, Chesterfield 1951-58; married Marjorie (deceased); two sons (deceased) and one daughter; died Bury, Greater Manchester 14 July 2013.

David Wagstaffe: Gifted Wolverhampton flankman with a distinctive dribbling style

2013-08-28T02:45:00.001-07:00

If England had not won the World Cup in 1966, it’s difficult to believe that David Wagstaffe would not have been capped for his country. But after Alf Ramsey’s side lifted the Jules Rimet trophy on home soil without deploying specialist wingers in the later stages of the tournament, the dogmatic, recently knighted coach stuck to his guns and the enchantingly gifted Wolverhampton Wanderers flankman, who spent a dozen years at Molineux after commencing his career with Manchester City, was condemned to the international wilderness.

Certainly Wagstaffe in full flight would have graced any stage. A devastating dribbler with a distinctive scurrying style, typically he would be hunched over the ball close to the left touchline before dropping a shoulder and setting off on one of his coruscating trademark runs. Beautifully balanced, nimble enough to bewilder close markers with sleight of foot and sudden changes of direction in congested areas, and capable of scorching bursts of acceleration over short distances, he was also a tantalising crosser, with Wolves strikers Derek Dougan and John Richards the principal beneficiaries of his precise delivery.

Locating the net himself was not a speciality – he contributed only 31 goals in more than 400 senior outings for the Black Countrymen – though he contributed occasional classics, such as the 35-yard piledriver in the 5-1 home thrashing of Arsenal in November 1971 which won Match of the Day’s goal of the month competition.

Ironically, there had been no shortage of Wagstaffe strikes in his days as a centre-forward for Manchester Schoolboys, but he had been converted to a left-sider by the time he enlisted as an amateur at Maine Road in June 1958 and went on to collect England youth caps in that role.

Having turned professional in May 1960, he made his senior debut four months later, revelling in being a member of the same forward line as the dazzling young Denis Law, and he prevailed in the contest with Clive Colbridge for City’s number-11 shirt.

In 1961/62, with Law departed, Wagstaffe was ever-present in Les McDowall’s ordinary side and a season later suffered the gloom of relegation. Having demonstrated his versatility by switching to the right flank, and after 161 appearances for his home-town club, the vastly promising 21-year-old was sold to top-flight Wolves for £30,000 on Boxing Day 1964.

Alas, he had joined another outfit on the slide, destined for demotion that spring, but Wagstaffe emerged vividly as one of his new club’s key performers and he enjoyed life in the second tier, sparkling under the easygoing regime of Ronnie Allen and returning his best seasonal tally of nine goals.

By 1966/67 he was approaching his prime, meshing effectively with fellow attackers Peter Knowles, Ernie Hunt, Hugh McIlmoyle and, by campaign’s end, the prolific Dougan. He didn’t miss a match as Wolves earned promotion as runners-up to Midlands rivals Coventry City, then he continued to thrive in the elite division, even though he didn’t like Bill McGarry, an abrasive disciplinarian for whom the genial Allen was dismissed in 1968.

But although Wagstaffe described the new manager as domineering and obnoxious, he continued to play magnificently and knew his greatest success during the McGarry era. Still that elusive full England call never arrived – but he did win his sole senior representative honour, being selected on the left flank for the Football League’s 3-2 victory over the Scottish League at Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, in March 1972.

Club-wise, there was more joy. In 1971 he was integral to Wolves’ fourth-place finish in the title race, which earned them a berth in the Uefa Cup, then he excelled in the European competition as Juventus and Ferencvaros were conquered on the way to the final. There the glory ended, despite a Wagstaffe goal in the 1-1 second-leg encounter with Tottenham at White Hart Lane, as Spurs had triumphed 2-1 in the earlier Molineux clash.

However, the first and only major trophy of his career was not to be long delayed, Wolves beating Manchester City 2-1 in the 1974 League Cup final, although his Wembley experience was tempered by severe pain from a damaged thigh muscle – this after he had been less than upfront about his fitness when quizzed by the anxious McGarry before the match.

Thereafter there was a niggling hangover from playing when injured, and there was never again quite the same captivating flow to his game. He slipped from first-team contention and in January 1976, aged 32, he joined Blackburn Rovers, newly promoted from the Third Division, at first on loan.

Now he embarked on an entertaining Indian summer, regaining the confidence under Ewood Park boss Jim Smith. Wagstaffe was a good-natured fellow who liked a drink and a bet, in moderation, but who also had a nervous aspect to his character which could be heightened by perceived harassment, which he never received from Smith.

Though his pace had declined he was still capable of telling midfield scheming, his accurate and imaginative passing delighting Rovers fans as he brought much-needed experience to an initially toiling team which he helped lift to fifth place in the table in 1977/78.

Perversely, as he was far more sinned against than sinning, that October he became the first British player to receive a red card, picking up two yellows against Orient at Brisbane Road.

Wagstaffe, who began running a hotel on Blackpool promenade while at Blackburn, joined the Third Division Seasiders briefly in August 1978 before a fleeting return to Ewood Park in the following spring was ended by injury, after he had taken his total of League appearances to 564.

Later he worked in the building trade, became steward of a Conservative Club in Blackpool, then returned to Molineux, where he managed Waggy’s Bar in the Stan Cullis Stand.

David Wagstaffe, footballer; born Manchester 5 April 1943; played for Manchester City 1960-64, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1964-76, Blackburn Rovers 1976-78 and 1979, Blackpool 1978-79; died Wolverhampton 6 August 2013.

Sergio Aguero to face no action over David Luiz challenge

2013-04-16T05:59:00.000-07:00

Sergio Aguero to face no action over David Luiz challenge

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will face no action for his challenge on Chelsea defender David Luiz in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final .

The Football Association said the 24-year-old Argentina striker will not be charged retrospectively for the two-footed tackle in City's 2-1 victory.

It follows confirmation referee Chris Foy saw at least part of the incident and acted on it during the match.

Chelsea were awarded a free-kick after the tackle nine minutes from time.

Brazilian Luiz said Aguero should admit that he made a bad challenge after the game.

"Aguero's a great player, he needs to be honest with himself and say, 'I don't like to do bad tackles," he said. "It was five seconds of anger and I forgive him.
"

Manchester United v Manchester City: Yaya Toure deal shows City’s ambition

2013-04-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

It was only a modest 30p Biro. Nothing fancy, nothing acquired from famous stationers but this cheap plastic pen with the coarse black ink should be placed in the Manchester City museum as an important club artefact.

Show of strength: Yaya Toure keeps Newcastle's Dan Gosling at bay

Just when critics wondered how City would react to United’s inevitable recovery, along came three squiggles of Yaya Touré’s borrowed pen on two pages of a new four-year contract at 11.39am on Thursday at Carrington.

Ambition has never left the building. It is there in writing.

City’s transformation on and off a pitch that Touré graces with such dynamism is a cash-intensive, time-consuming undertaking by Abu Dhabi.

In an impatient world, a disappointing few months for an expensive team precipitates sceptical, occasionally apocalyptical headlines.

That is why Touré’s show of commitment to the club until 2017 transmits a welcome message of permanence, of exceptional quality staying associated with City long-term.

Touré’s well-timed scribbles before Monday’s derby declare that the skirmish for this season’s title may well be lost but the fight goes on next season, and the season after. City are here to stay.

They are simply echoing traits of their successful neighbours: keep building, keep responding.

Fascination surrounds City’s wealth, the characters it attracts and ensuing fluctuations of fortunes. City fans must have rolled their eyes when Carlos Tévez’s 250 hours of community service for driving misdemeanours received front-page exposure on the day North Korea threatened to go ballistic.

The end of the road for Tévez hardly compares with the end of the world. Tévez can get a taxi. He could share one with Samir Nasri.

Amid all this fevered focus on City players’ motoring mayhem, and scrutiny of the outgoing champions’ results and performances, Touré’s signature brings some calm and perspective.

This is not his most vibrant season, numbering as many bookings as goals (10) in his 36 games, including the Community Shield, for City and Ivory Coast, yet it would have been deeply damaging for the club if he had stalled on a deal, signalling a desire to leave.

City employ other talents but none quite in Touré’s coveted class with the possible exception of an in-form Sergio Agüero. The 29-year-old could walk into any dressing-room in the elite level of European football and be confident of marching back out in the starting line-up.

Different players, different teams, different systems, but Sergio Busquets or Touré at Barcelona?

Pep Guardiola eventually backed Busquets but Touré has sharpened his game since then, certainly in his first-touch redistribution. Sami Khedira or Touré at Real Madrid? Khedira is more defensive so comparisons are tricky. Many would go with Touré.

United, for all their 15-point advantage, could easily find space for him. Touré lost 3-2 to United at the Etihad in December but the memory remains of his storming game on April 30 when Ji-sung Park, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs could not live with him.

Went the limpet Park went off, Touré was even more of a force. The 6ft 3in, 14st Ivorian makes things happen, turning away from markers, surging forward with the ball.

When he begins building speed from midfield, he covers the ground quickly with those long strides, his strength of technique and physique making him equally hard to dispossess.

There is marvellous footage from last season of first Per Mertesacker and then Alex Song diving in and Touré simply gliding away from the Arsenal pair. There is the defensive side, sliding in to whisk the ball away from under Gareth Bale’s feet.

There is the power in the air, heading in at corners. There is the shooting with left foot or right, often crisp and precise as against Chelsea in February. He is all-round class.

There is dust in the air as well as ink on the paper at City. For all the misgivings over how the sums (as sponsorship or owner hand-out) have been juggled to appease FFP (Financial Fair Play), the £100 million Etihad Campus is a gem.

The City Football Academy rises with a large V-shaped building already constructed, soon to house tractors and other machinery.

Some of the 16 pitches have been levelled, with City’s first team and Academy aiming to be in-situ for the 2014-15 pre-season. The Campus, situated in a bereft area with polluted soil, will greatly benefit community as well as club.

Feasibility studies continue into how the Etihad Stadium can be expanded whether one or two stands at a time or a whole new tier placed on top.

With former Barcelona executives on board in Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, the manner of Nou Camp’s erstwhile redevelopment has been mentioned. Digging down would be too difficult.

Newcastle United considered that at St James’ Park during Sir John Hall’s reign but realised the Metro ran under the centre-circle.

In an office in the stadium, Tom Glick, the smart, friendly chief commercial and operating officer recruited from Derby County, looks to generate more money.

The desire to comply with FFP, whether through the deals for the Campus or maximising match-day revenue, is vital.

Nobody knows whether Uefa will possess the courage to ban clubs from European competition — and nobody is really holding their breath – but the FFP document has certainly focused attention.

As well as the substantial basic as before, Touré’s contract came with more performance-related incentives for goals, assists and trophies.

Good people are in powerful positions at City and a pronouncement, even a quiet confirmation, that Roberto Mancini will remain as manager would add to that feeling of continuity.

His position will be reviewed in the summer by Abu Dhabi but then they review everything. It is difficult to hear much unharmonious mood music.

The idea of Mancini being ousted would be offensive to most supporters. Just listen to the City fans at Old Trafford, voicing their love of the man who came from Italy to manage Man City.

They remember the barren years before Mancini. He is high-maintenance but he has brought trophies. Even this low-yield term could bring the FA Cup.

Tensions undoubtedly exist within the dressing-room, between manager and certain players. He has criticised Joe Hart excessively and Nasri legitimately. It does not mean there is incipient mutiny towards Mancini. He needs to start refining the summer targets.

City require a ball-winner, a high-class winger and prolific centre-forward. Touré’s extended residency will show potential new stars that City are here to stay. If they decide to sign, the Biro is on the table in the office next to Begiristain’s.

Manchester City will battle to retain Premier League title until last kick of the season insists goalkeeper Joe Hart

2013-02-26T06:45:00.000-08:00

Goalkeeper Joe Hart claims Manchester City will fight to retain their Premier League title to the very last game of the season - even if winning the league becomes mathematically impossible.

Manchester City's hopes of retaining their title look slim with rivals Manchester United holding a 12-point lead at top of the table with just 11 games remaining.

The champions boosted confidence after a run of three league games without a win by seeing off third-placed Chelsea on Sunday and Hart is determined to keep the dream alive.

The England goalkeeper, who saved a penalty from Frank Lampard in the 2-0 victory, said: ''Even if there is one game to go and we are 12 points behind, we'll still believe. We've got to.

''We've got to keep fighting, you never know. We have just got to keep going.

''It's going to be really hard, we've got a lot to do but we're going to have a damn good go at doing it.''

Manager Roberto Mancini was scathing of his players after a dismal and damaging defeat at Southampton just over a fortnight ago but Hart claims their spirit was never in doubt.

The 25-year-old, himself subject of individual criticism from Mancini since the loss at St Mary's Stadium, said: ''We have got it, no doubt about it.

''We all under-performed against Southampton - that's gone, you can't do anything now, you move on from that. You have got to look forward.

''You can speculate and talk about the past but we have just got to look forward and try to win. The only way is up for us.''

City are not in action again until they travel to struggling Aston Villa next Monday, by which time they could be 15 points behind United.

Mancini hopes captain Vincent Kompany will be fit to return after five games out with a calf injury which has taken longer than expected to heal.

Mancini said: ''The calf is a strange injury, and it is very dangerous. I hope we can recover him for Aston Villa.''

Midfielder Gareth Barry will hope to prove his fitness from an ankle problem while Mancini has also revealed right-back Maicon faces a month on the sidelines after a knee operation.

The Brazilian missed the Christmas programme and the whole of January with a knee injury but had made three substitute appearances this month.

Mancini said: ''He has had surgery on his knee, but in a month he can recover. The operation was to clean his meniscus.''

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli needs to be loved then he will win you the league says Zlatan Ibrahimovic

2013-01-09T11:33:00.005-08:00

Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes that Manchester City still have a great chance of winning the Premier League if manager Roberto Mancini shows Mario Balotelli some love.

Where is the love? Mario Balotelli can be decisive in Manchester City retainign the league title if handled correctly says Zlatan

Both players, who were team-mates at Inter between 2007 and 2009, have had more than their fair share of controversies as well as spellbinding moments on the pitch.

Mancini has indulged the young forward through his mixed career at the Etihad Stadium but in recent months appears to have grown weary with him, with the suggestion Balotelli may be sold this month if a suitable buyer can be found.

However, Ibrahimovic believes that his former team-mate represents City's best chance at overhauling the gap between themselves and current league leaders United, as long as he is treated right, insisting to spend time with Balotelli is to fall in love with him.

"If any player can retain the title for them it is Mario," Ibrahimovic told the Daily Mail.

"All the class that Manchester City have I would still say Mario is the most capable.

"Roberto will know the same as me that the way to get the best out of Mario is to love him."

Ibrahimovic is enjoying an excellent season with his current club Paris Saint-Germain, a cash-rich team that he believes can become one of the powerhouses of European football.

"Paris is a club in major transition," the 31-year-old former AC and Barcelona striker said in the Qatari capital Doha, where the club is training during the French league's winter break.

"We have some fantastic players but this project only began a year-and-a-half ago and I have only been here six months but I have seen things advance very, very quickly."

Ibrahimovic is the leading scorer in Ligue 1 with 18 goals and said he and his team-mates were working hard every day to improve to the standard of Europe's biggest clubs.

He added that he had "aged 10 years" since arriving at the Parc des Princes from the San Siro six months ago, given the massive scrutiny of big-spending PSG, owned by Qatari investors, and interest in his performances.

"For me, everything has been positive but in the end everything depends on the results. If we win, everything will be better," he said.

Carlo Ancelotti's team go into the second half of the season joint top with Lyon and Marseille and also have a Champions League last 16 encounter with Valencia to look forward to on February 12.

Ibrahimovic accepted that a move to PSG, whose reputation has not been matched by silverware in recent years, may have been seen as a surprise but he said the transfer was all geared towards helping the club develop.

"I knew when I came here, it would be a big thing for the media because to come to Paris was not necessarily expected for a player at the peak of his career," he added.

"If you look at the project, the people behind the club and the players who have come here, the situation is different.

"There are clubs like Paris or Manchester City who want to become big clubs and the best players will not necessarily decide to join a club based on their history, it will also come down to a new project and new excitement.

"For the rest of the season, we have to concentrate on all competitions, even the French Cup. We are training every day to achieve our goals and we want to win everything."

Micah Richards makes point to Manchester City and England in central in victory over Sunderland

2012-10-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

The petulance of Mario Balotelli, storming directly down the tunnel to the Manchester City dressing room after being substituted in the second half, again dominated the soap opera headlines that attend the Premier League champions’ every move but, at the other end of the field, there was a far more significant development for both club and country.

Micah Richards, playing for City for the first time in five months in the centre-half position many feel is his best, turned in the sort of performance that suggested he is an obvious replacement for shamed and recently-retired England defender John Terry.

Persistent question marks remain over Richards’ ability at the very highest level – as the fact he possesses just 13 caps from a near six-year international career testifies – but, at the age of barely 24, he is surely worthy of strong consideration, even allowing for his strange decision to remove his name from the stand-by list for last summer’s European Championship squad.

“I think Micah is a fantastic player and he deserves to be in the national team,” said team mate Pablo Zabaleta. “Micah came back to the team, he was very solid at the back. He is young, he is strong and he can give to England what he gives to Manchester City. He can play either centre back or right back.

“Terry’s not in the international team any more so maybe that is a good chance for him to get into the England team again.”

Richards’ average of a couple of caps per year is all the more mysterious given his versatility and, perhaps, the athletic youngster has been a victim of his own success, considered good at both defensive positions but great at neither by a succession of England managers.

“He can play both positions, centre-back and right-back,” continued Zabaleta. “He’s played before in this position and looking at this season, we probably we have Macion, me and Micah (at right-back) so it’s good too see Micah as a centre-back.

“He’s a very good player, he can play in both positions so for the team its good when you’ve got players who can play in different positions – Micah had a fantastic game today.”

Richards himself declines to discuss his standing with Hodgson and the national squad although, having formed an impenetrable pairing with Joleon Lescott in front of England goalkeeper Joe Hart on Saturday, it is tempting to imagine he can envisage a return to the international fold.

“I was excited to be back out there after being out for so long, me and Joleon haven’t played together too many times,” said Richards. “A lot of people don’t realise how good he is. He’s played for England and he’s a top class centre back. He showed that last season.

“People always say the foreigners make City’s team but we have a good six or seven English lads in the squad. When we come in and get our chance we give 100% and they did that today.”

Richards’ return coincided with City’s first clean sheet of the season – although perhaps it was no coincidence – although the England man was arguably not even the best defender on display. Full-back Aleksandar Kolarov was a force in defence and scored a magnificent fourth-minute direct free-kick before laying on a second goal for Sergio Aguero, whose 55th minute introduction had so infuriated Balotelli.

The Italian forward is clearly becoming an irritant to manager Roberto Mancini and coach David Platt who refused to answer questions properly when quizzed over Balotelli’s show of disrespect as he left the field.

As City proved with last season’s Carlos Tevez debacle, of course, such distractions matter little to the club, given their colossal financial resources and a squad whose depth is unmatched in the Premier League and James Milner’s late direct free-kick completed the rout and their 33rd unbeaten home league game.

Far more worrying have been City’s defensive performances to date and, for this reason, their display in overwhelming a poor Sunderland team that had somehow remained unbeaten until this point, could prove to be significant.

“You always know that when you play against Manchester City you are going to be busy,” said goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, one of the few Black Cats to emerge with credit. “In games like this you want to keep it goalless as long as you can, but by conceding early it meant a tough game got even tougher. After going ahead early City pressed us really high up the pitch and created lots of chances.”

Many more teams look poised to experience the same problem in the weeks to come.

Roberto Mancini's son Andrea joins Spanish third division side Valladolid B

2012-08-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

A lot to live up to: Roberto Mancini's son Andrea was released bu Manchester City and now joins Spanish third division side Valladolid

The 19 year-old was released by the English champions at the end of last season after loan spells at Oldham and Italian side Fano, and has signed a one-year deal with the reserve side of the newly-promoted Primera Division club.

That does mean, though, that Mancini is eligible to play in La Liga should he be called upon, and he is desperate to get his chance to play in the Spanish top flight.

He said: ''It is something very important for me. Valladolid is a good team in the Spanish league and I am going to have to work hard.

''I have to win my chance in the youth team to play in the Primera with Valladolid, but if I work hard I don't see any reason why it can't happen.

''My great-grandmother, who died when I was a child, always told me she was from Valladolid, although I personally don't know the city.

Mancini fighting to keep duo

2012-07-16T05:08:00.000-07:00

Man City manager does not want to lose Tevez or Dzeko

Edin Dzeko: Linked with a move away from Man City but Roberto Mancini hopes he will stay

Sky Bet

Roberto Mancini has admitted it will not be easy to keep hold of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko, but he hopes the duo will stay at Manchester City.

Tevez's future has been the subject of intense speculation since last summer and he has again been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium during the transfer window, although last week he stated that he is feeling settled at City.

Fellow striker Dzeko has also reportedly attracted the attention of clubs such as Juventus and Bayern Munich, but Mancini has made it clear that he has no intention of letting either player leave.

Mancini's focus is on strengthening his squad rather than weakening it, as he accepts that City need to improve to compete with Europe's finest.

"Both Dzeko and Tevez will stay at City. We are a great team and we try to keep all our great players," said the Italian.

"It won't be easy, but they will stay here.

"We still lack a couple of players to reach (the level of) Real Madrid and Barcelona. Our mentality has to grow season by season.
"

Blues pre-season: Manchester City 0 Al Hilal 1

2012-07-14T05:11:00.001-07:00

Manchester City's pre-season campaign began with a surprise defeat to Al Hilal in Austria on Friday night. It was their first game since dramatically clinching the Premier League title on the final day of the season. And despite starting with a team which included a number of first-team regulars, Alabid Nawaf Shaker’s goal midway through the second half was enough to hand the Saudi side victory. Roberto Mancini named Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez in his team for City’s first pre-season friendly, exactly two months after they had started against QPR at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season. Aleksandar Kolarov and Adam Johnson – who had been suffering from a virus – were also named in the starting XI but City never got into any kind of rhythm in a first-half that had all the intensity and tempo you would expect of a pre-season friendly. Mancini, who used 24 players in total during the game, made 10 substitutions at the break introducing Dedryck Boyata, Kolo Toure and Stefan Savic, as well as youngsters Harry Bunn, Jeremy Helan and Croatian trialist Mario Jelavic. But while they were looking to make an impression on Mancini, it was Shaker who made his mark on the scoreline, jinking past Boyata and shooting past substitute goalkeeper Eirik Johansen in the 68th minute. City play Dynamo Dresden in Innsbruck on Tuesday before facing Besiktas on Friday.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini signs new five-year contract to scotch speculation over Russia job

2012-07-11T04:45:00.000-07:00

Roberto Mancini has agreed a new five-year contract as manager of Manchester City as the club looks to progress into a European force.

Job well done: Roberto Mancini has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City

Although there were claims Mancini was wanted by the Russian Football Federation to take charge of their national side, the Italian was always expected to commit long-term to the City project having secured their first league title in 44 years in May.

A contract of around £35 million was rumoured to be on offer if he took the Russia job and while the terms of his new deal at City have not been released, he has been rewarded with an improved financial package.

“I am delighted to be able to give all of my efforts to Manchester City

for a further five years,” said Mancini. “The opportunity which exists to build on our recent success is enormous.

"Manchester City is a fantastic football club, from the owner, chairman, board and the executive team, through to the players, staff and fans. I am very much looking forward to the challenges and excitement ahead."

The former Inter Milan manager took over at City from Mark Hughes in December 2009 and ended a 35-year trophy drought in his first full season by winning the FA Cup and also secured Champions League football with a third-place finish in the Premier League.

The club’s interim chief executive officer, John MacBeath, added: “Roberto’s managerial credentials have been well proven in Europe for many years and in leading a team which has won the FA Cup and an unforgettable Premier League title in successive seasons, his ability to manage in the English domestic game is also undisputed.

"This new agreement allows Roberto to focus on the challenge of guiding a team which is capable not only of defending the Premier League title, but one which can compete for European honours."

Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge set to complete surprise move to Brighton today

2012-07-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

Wayne Bridge is poised to complete his surprise move from Manchester City to Brighton later today.

Heading south: Wayne Bridge will swap Premier League champions Manchester City's bench for a first team spot with Championship

The former England and Chelsea defender has agreed to join Gus Poyet's Championship team in a loan deal that will run until the end of the season.

Bridge, 31, was a £10 million signing by Mark Hughes in January 2009 and once regarded as a genuine threat to Ashley Cole as England's first choice left-back.

But he fell out of favour at Manchester City spectacularly when Roberto Mancini replaced Hughes and has been loaned out to West Ham and Sunderland in the last two seasons.

Now Poyet, the Brighton manager, is set to complete an audacious swoop by taking Bridge to the Amex Stadium.

City are believed to have agreed paying a substantial amount of his £100,000 a week wages to push the deal through.

The qualities of England's No1 goalkeeper Joe Hart

2012-07-05T02:52:00.000-07:00

AGILITY

The most fundamental quality of any goalkeeper is their athleticism and shot-stopping ability. When the manager of your biggest rivals, Sir Alex Ferguson, starts waxing lyrical about you, unprompted, during interviews with DJ Spoony you know you’ve got something about you.

“If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he’s easily the best,” said Ferguson. “I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000. We all make mistakes.”

CONCENTRATION LEVELS

Goalkeeping for a successful team is a more specialist occupation, demanding high concentration levels during prolonged periods of inactivity. Often, keepers at struggling clubs shine most because they have so much to do so get more chance to look better than they are.

Hart was exceptional last season because he made crucial saves that proved the difference in City winning the title.

“This season is why they’re talking about Joe as the world’s best,” his team mate Gareth Barry said after a crucial last-minute save in a 1-0 win at Aston Villa. “Every game he’s making one or two great saves; he’s going to be England’s No1 for a long time.”

PRESENCE

There are those goalkeepers whose mere presence can intimidate strikers into fluffing their lines in front of goal. Manchester United Peter Schmeichel’s stature was such he seemed to cover the entire goal area when faced with a one-on-one situation. The similarities with Hart have been noted by his Old Trafford rivals. The City admits relying on his reflexes, relishing personal duels with attacks.

“Hart makes good reaction saves and great blocks,” said former United keeper Edwin van der Saar. “That’s a little bit the Peter Schmeichel way and that’s one of his strong points.”

MATURITY

Despite only being 25, Hart is mature enough to have warranted demands for him to be named England captain. He has displayed his leadership qualities on several occasions during Manchester City’s title surge.

While his manager wrote off City’s title chances at one stage, Hart issued the rallying cries. “There is no point in us turning up for games if the title race is over,” he said when City trailed by eight points. “We’ve still got to believe, we’ve still got to fight for every single point available.”

Roberto Mancini says Manchester City have played best football

2012-05-12T13:31:00.001-07:00

Roberto Mancini says Manchester City have played best football

Manager Roberto Mancini says he trusts his Manchester City side to finish the job and be crowned champions on Sunday.

But even if they fail, the Italian insists his side have played the best football in the league this season.

Mancini's men are ahead of Manchester United on goal difference and will win the Premier League title by equalling their neighbours' result.

Continue reading the main story

“If we win, it's better to stay far from Mario (Balotelli) because it'll be very dangerous!”

Roberto Mancini

"I trust them 100 per cent," said the Blues boss. "They know they have everything in their hands."

He added: "They've worked very hard and fought for every game, for one year, and in this championship that is very hard.

"I think in the end the team that wins deserves to win, always.

"We have played the better football, 100%, even if we don't win, we played the better football."

City lead heading into the final day despite slipping eight points behind neighbours United following defeat at Arsenal on 8 April.

Mancini's side meet QPR at the Etihad while United must travel to Sunderland.

"I think that, at that moment, it was good for us because it took off all the pressure," said Mancini, who believes City would be worthy winners having led for most of the season and scored the most goals.

"Like all teams, it is impossible to play well every game for one year. We had one month where we had a problem - we didn't play well, we conceded easy goals, we didn't score. This is normal, I think.

"But we always believed, also when we were eight points behind.

"Against United and Newcastle we played really well, as a strong team mentally, and I think we should do the same on Sunday."

Ferguson and QPR boss Mark Hughes have described Mancini's tactics as negative, with Ferguson claiming City played with an Italian mentality by switching to a five-man midfield during their crucial derby victory on 30 April
."I agree with him," joked Mancini, who later said the same about Hughes. "I'm Italian, I can't change my mentality, and he's Scottish."

But he added of Ferguson: "I think he's the best manager in the world."

And should Mancini beat the legendary United boss to the title, he will be staying well clear of controversial striker Mario Balotelli.

"If we win, it's better to stay far from Mario because it'll be very dangerous!" he quipped.