John Stones believes Man City repeat treble this season

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February 22, 2024

Jim Ratcliffe wants to knock Man City within three years — Bildbyran

Jim Ratcliffe completed his purchase of Manchester United.

INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has acquired a 27.7% percent stake at Manchester United as it was announced officially on Tuesday night.

He initially agreed to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United and infuse a $300million investment in the club’s infrastructure.

But he is set to invest an initial $200m in the infrastructure which has raised his shareholding to 27.7%.

The English billionaire has been a lifelong Man United supporter and determined to knock both Liverpool and Manchester United off their perch in the next three seasons.

Ratcliffe went on further explaining that it will take three years to get the club where he and the fans want to be.

“We have a lot to learn from our noisy neighbour and the other neighbour (Liverpool). They are the enemy at the end of the day,” Ratcliffe said.

“There is nothing I would like better than to knock both of them off their perch. Equally, we are the three great northern clubs who are very close to one another.

“They have been in a good place for a while and there are things we can learn from both of them.

“I am very respectful of them but they are still the enemy.”

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Man city boss Pep Guardiola reveals hamstring injury for Kevin De Bruyne

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February 21, 2024

Man city boss Pep Guardiola reveals hamstring injury for Kevin De Bruyne — Bildbyrån

Kevin de Bruyne finished the game as an unused substitute.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has talked about the injury concern of Kevin de Bruyne. He didn’t feature in a previous Premier League game against Brentford. He made a comeback this winter after a long-term injury and now, missed two matches.

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kevin has a hamstring issue. Not just him, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku were also dropped down to the bench. Man City preferred John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Oscar Bobb to take their respective places in the starting XI.

Man City went on to win the game due to the solo goal from Erling Haaland. They are now second in the table in the Premier League. De Bruyne finished the game as an unused substitute.

Guardiola told reporters, “We did not use Kevin today because he has niggles in his hamstring position. He’s okay. It’s more caution and prevention than anything.

“He didn’t feel comfortable and the doctors said there was a little bit of risk. After five months off, we did not take any risk with that.”

The Belgium international has made a total of 10 competitive appearances since coming back into the fold, contributing two goals and eight assists.

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Pep Guardiola insists Rodri is by far the best midfielder in world

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Vaibhav Purohit

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February 19, 2024

Pep Guardiola angry with Rodri after red card — Bildbyran

Guardiola declares Rodri as the Premier Midfielder in the World

Pep Guardiola showered high praise on Rodri, hailing him as the epitome of midfield excellence. The Manchester City manager passionately declared Rodri as not only the premier holding midfielder but unequivocally the best midfielder globally.

Guardiola’s assertion stems from Rodri’s multifaceted prowess on the pitch, extending beyond his conventional role.

‘I would say if the holding midfielder doesn’t get the same appreciation as the strikers or the number 10 then that is good. When a holding midfielder has a lot of appreciation, it is not good,’ said Guardiola.

‘The holding midfielder has to play positive, for him and for the team, and make the team play. This is the role for the holding midfielders. All the highlights have to be for the guys up front who score goals and make assists and so on.

‘But Rodri always has the ability in important moments to score goals so he’s an unbelievable player. He’s the best midfield player in the world currently by far because he is able to do everything.

‘What a signing. It’s difficult to understand how we could have done what we have done in recent years without him.’

Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2019, the 27-year-old has been a linchpin for City, amassing an impressive 237 appearances.

Despite not always seizing the spotlight like some of his teammates, Rodri’s indispensability is underscored by City’s impeccable record – they haven’t tasted defeat in over a year with Rodri in the lineup.

What distinguishes Rodri isn’t merely his defensive prowess but his all-encompassing impact. Guardiola lauds his ability to seamlessly orchestrate play, break up opposition attacks, and contribute offensively.

This season, Rodri is poised to surpass his previous goal-scoring feats, with six goals already to his name, including a crucial late equalizer against Chelsea.

Guardiola’s effusive praise reinforces Rodri’s status as a transformative force in midfield, transcending conventional labels to embody excellence in its purest form.

As City continues to assert their dominance, Rodri stands tall as a beacon of brilliance in the heart of their midfield.

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Pep Guardiola unhappy on Man City’s first-half performance in Chelsea draw

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February 18, 2024

Pep Guardiola unhappy on Man City's first-half performance in Chelsea draw

Guardiola’s side will now take on Brentford on Tuesday in the Premier League

Man City boss Pep Guardiola is not happy with the outcome against Chelsea during the crucial Premier League game. It was supposed to be a turning point in the title race. Man City boss criticised their performance in the first half.

Pep Guardiola has highlighted the necessity for Man City to ‘perform at their level’ for the entire 90 minutes. Man City were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea who are already in a struggling phase. It was the second consecutive game for City where they failed to beat Chelsea. Before this season, they beat Chelsea every time following the UCL final loss in 2021.

Chelsea had a dominating first half as Raheem Sterling scored a goal for the Blues. Chelsea were ahead in the game but Man City found an equaliser in the 83rd minute. Rodri rifled home a powerful 20-yard strike to salvage a point against the Blues.

Guardiola told reporters as quoted by mancity.com. “Well, we don’t perform our level in the first half. When you play against teams who have composure and prestige like Chelsea you have to perform at our best for 94, 95 minutes.”

“We started to play after conceding a goal. We were not at our best and it can happen in transition. When you aren’t at your best you concede transitions. It happens. But after, we react like we are. And we created a lot, a lot, a lot.

“They have one or two transitions for their quality and ability to keep the ball with incredibly good runners up front.

“The result is that. We have to perform better in the first half. We have to go there. As a team [and] as a group, the first half was not like we are.”

Manchester City will now take on Brentford on Tuesday in the Premier League. If they win, they will reach second in the table with one point behind Liverpool.

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Pep Guardiola sends message to Cole Palmer ahead of Chelsea showdown

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February 17, 2024

Pep Guardiola sends message to Cole Palmer ahead of Chelsea showdown — Bildbyran

Cole Palmer joined Chelsea at the start of this season.

The England international ended his 15-year association with the Cityzens and made his £45m to Stamford Bridge in search of regular minutes.

He is currently Chelsea’s top scorer with 14 goals in 31 appearances, including 10 strikes in 21 Premier League games.

Pep Guardiola cashed in for the academy graduate who was frustrated with his situation at the Etihad.

Since making his debut for Manchester City in 2020, Palmer was restricted to just 41 appearances in a span of three years.

The 21-year-old versatile attacker has arguably been Chelsea’s best player this term bagging nine assists as an advanced midfielder or a false nine.

Palmer is now set to return to the Etihad for the first time since leaving Man City earlier this season.

His former manager Pep Guardiola has lauded the youngster for the impact at his new club Chelsea.

‘Good player,’ said Guardiola when asked for his assessment of Palmer’s rapid development. ‘Like it has happened [having strong form for Chelsea]? Yes I didn’t have any doubts about it.

‘He is a star player and is already an exceptional player and moved on.

‘A lovely lad and he helped us achieve what we achieved.’

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PSG willing to trigger release clause for Man City playmaker Bernardo Silva this summer

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February 15, 2024

PSG willing to trigger release clause for Man City playmaker Bernardo Silva this summer

PSG, Barcelona and Al-Hilal have also shown interest in Bernardo Silva last summer.

Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva is on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain for a potential summer move. The Ligue 1 giants have expressed a firm interest and are willing to trigger the €60m release clause in his contract this summer.

The Portugal international is one of the finest players under Pep Guardiola and played a big role in earning the treble success last season. He joined Man City from Monaco in the summer of 2017, scoring 63 goals and registering 62 assists in 335 games across all tournaments.

The 25-year-old scored a goal in Man City’s previous game against Copenhagen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. He has scored a total of eight goals in 29 games.

Bernardo Silva has won 15 trophies during his six-and-a-half-year stint at Man City. He also admitted in the winter of last year that he is keen to begin a “new project” away from the City.

PSG, Barcelona and Al-Hilal have also shown interest in Bernardo last summer. As per the reports of Fichajes, PSG boss Luis Enrique has given the green light for the French club to step up their pursuit of Bernardo. PSG are prepared to activate the player’s €60m (£51m) release clause.

Bernardo extended a contract at Etihad last year in the summer and his contract will end in the summer of 2026. PSG can face a big boost in funding if they release Mbappe this summer.

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Man City suffers triple injury blow after Champions League encounter with Copenhagen

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February 14, 2024

Man City suffers triple injury blow after Champions League encounter with Copenhagen

Man City beat Copenhagen 3-1 in their first-leg encounter of the Champions League.

Manchester City have been dealt with a triple injury blow following their Champions League encounter against Copenhagen. The Cityzens continued their title defence in style and beat their rivals 3-1 to take advantage for the second-leg clash at Etihad.

Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden scored the goals to offer Pep Guardiola’s side a two-goal lead heading into next month’s second leg.

Silva limped off late on with a suspected ankle problem and he will now be sidelined. While talking with the media, Pep Guardiola revealed that Silva suffered a “big knock in his ankle”.

🚨🔵 Pep Guardiola: “Josko Gvardiol will be out for 2/3 weeks due to an ankle ligament injury”.

“Bernardo got a big knock in his ankle, Jack Grealish looks like muscular injury”.

“Kovacić is ready to return”. 🔙🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/LgNFn4y8nJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 13, 2024

On the other hand, Jack Grealish had already been forced off in the first half. Man City boss said, “I did not speak with the doctor but it looks muscular. It’s a pity, in the last days his attitude in training was much much better. He helps us find the right tempo.”

Josko Gvardiol will also spend a short time out after missing tonight’s encounter, stating: “Josko will be out two-three weeks, he has an ankle ligament injury.”

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Pep Guardiola urges Haaland to stay relaxed at Man City

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February 13, 2024

Pep Guardiola urges Haaland to stay relaxed at Man City — Bildbyran

Pep Guardiola has questioned Erling Haaland’s body language.

The Man City manager has slammed the Norwegian striker for having a ‘bad’ body language in City’s 2-0 win over Everton.

Haaland scored a brace in the second half but his body language in the first 45 minutes was not appreciated by manage Pep Guardiola.

The Norwegian striker has bagged 21 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season and is expected to start in Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Copenhagen.

Erling Haaland has had a difficult end to 2023 and returned to action earlier this month.

“Erling is young, playing in the most difficult position on the pitch surrounded by four or five players with minor space,” Guardiola told a news conference on Monday.

“In the first half [against Everton] maybe we didn’t have the special delivery players, like Kevin [De Bruyne] for example, who can find him.

“When he scored a goal, he reacted but he doesn’t need to score because he helps us for many things. Not just score a goal.

“Back [after two months out] is not easy and he’s a huge competitor who wants to score goals. Ok, I know that, we know that, so relax.”

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Kalvin Phillips explains how Guardiola knocked his confidence

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February 12, 2024