Manchester City ticket holders were woken up to surprising revelations from their boss Pep Guardiola. According to the gaffer, Kevin De Bruyne can be sidelined during Manchester City games when he needs extra bodies in the box.
De Bruyne has been on the bench this week against Tottenham after Guardiola said Julian Alvarez had been selected as De Bruyne’s replacement specifically for that reason. Following Alvarez’s addition to the squad, Erling Haaland was superbly assisted by veteran De Bruyne to give the Cityzens the lead over Wolves.
With his 12th league assist of the year, De Bruyne moved even closer to the personal record of 20 assists in a season that he shares with one other player. After the game, Guardiola hinted that he could drop De Bruyne again if necessary.
After watching Arsenal’s next 12 games, Man City may have to get back into the mindset of 2014.
Just like Manchester City did in 2021, you can go home with a few games to spare. You can do it later by getting the centurion title, like City did in 2018. Like City had to do last season, you can win it on the last day. You can even win it with what amounts to the final kick of the game, as City memorably did in 2012. And you can do it even if your squad might be better in your division.
As anyone with Manchester City tickets will remember, for their second Premier League championship, City could say they did it in 2014, which may be what they need to do in 2013. Liverpool were so excellent slow in his quest for his first title since 1992, nine years ago. . Arsenal are trying to break a 19-year title drought this year, and City are the only team that can stop them.
With 50 points after 19 games, Arsenal are on course to match City’s ‘Centurions’ achievement at the halfway point of the season. They have a game in hand and are five points clear of City, but the top two have yet to meet again, including this Friday’s FA Cup tie, which will significantly affect their progress in the League.
Pep Guardiola has highlighted that City have experience in the title fight as both the hunter and the hunted, although all that experience comes against Liverpool. On the other hand, Arsenal are still an unknown quantity and can only be assessed on what they have shown so far. As a result, Mikel Arteta’s group is a formidable opponent.
Arsenal’s title defense continued this week with wins over Tottenham and Manchester United, showing no signs of slowing down. The zeal shown at the Emirates after the dramatic win against United was a warning to the rest of the league and to themselves. Since an unstoppable Leicester side started winning in 2016, this is their best chance to win the Championship. The underdogs of Claudio Ranieri and Arteta have fundamental similarities today.
Also, it makes sense to contrast Arsenal’s 2022-2023 team with Brendan Rodgers’ 2014 Liverpool team. City, Chelsea and possibly defending champions Manchester United were all firm favorites to win the title. Still, it looked like only Liverpool had the stamina to compete after Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard all had wild seasons.
One of the most enjoyable Championship wins for Manchester City ticket holders since their first in 2012 was their ability to launch themselves in the final week. City fans still sing about Gerrard’s bad luck in Liverpool’s eventual decline from champions-elect to runners-up. Liverpool were probably the best team in the Premier League that year, but they didn’t have the right mindset (or studs) when it counted.
In slightly worrying news for those with Manchester City tickets, the second half of the season’s schedule for City and Arsenal means the Blues may have to look to 2014 instead of more series of previous degrees to succeed. Apart from hosting City at the Emirates in three weeks time, Arsenal have 10 or 11 relatively easy games left to put the Blues in check.
The second clash with City comes next, followed by a five-game stretch that could be a bit trickier. A trip to Newcastle, who could still be fighting for a top-four place that would be within striking distance, comes after a London derby with Chelsea. Then Roberto De Zerbi’s challenging trip to Brighton, followed by a road game against Nottingham Forest, who could need points to stay in the league. On the last day he had the wolves as guests.
In the near future, City will play more difficult games, including trips to Tottenham, Newcastle and rivals Liverpool. A final clash with Chelsea is also problematic.
However, if Arsenal’s schedule allows them to hold on to top spot for the next three months or more, City must brace themselves for a title fight that could be determined in the final few games. They must be ready to seize the opportunity, just as they did in 2014, even if Arsenal fans are preparing their parade route.
Transfer clock
El Nacional reports that Pep Guardiola is determined to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham from Manchester City next summer.
According to the claim, Manchester City are willing to spend $170 million to see off competition from Real Madrid and Liverpool and persuade Bellingham to sign for them.
In a bid to radically overhaul Manchester City’s midfield in time for next season, Pep Guardiola is pushing his team to be involved in negotiations to sign the 22-year-old World Cup champion and Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in the summer.
According to a rumor from Danish publication BT, Manchester City have entered the hunt for Ousmane Diomande, the ‘jewel’ of Danish club FC Midtjylland.
After signing Argentine wonderkid Maxime Perrone earlier this week, City are looking to sign the world’s most gifted young players.
After Sporting Lisbon tabled an $8m bid on Monday, Etihad representatives held talks with Midtjylland about the Ivorian defender “several times this week”. Porto, Sevilla, Benfica, Southampton, Arsenal and Southampton are also chasing the 19-year-old.
Maximo Perrone, Argentine midfielder, has been acquired by Manchester City from Vélez Sarsfield. Although the two parties involved reached a contract in December, the finer details of the transfer have only recently been finalised.
Calciomercatoweb said Manchester City are ready to swap Rafael Leo for full-back Joo Cancelo, sending the latter to AC Milan.
The Portuguese winger, who has been in excellent form for Milan this season with nine goals, as many assists in all competitions, and helped the Rossoneri win the Serie A championship last season, is adored by City.
Cancelo has been a fantastic player for City over the years, but Pep Guardiola has only used him occasionally since the World Cup. Due to his defensive shortcomings, the team is willing to sell the player. To strengthen their squad, they are looking to sign a natural left back.
Josh Adam, an 18-year-old midfielder from Manchester City, is set to join Ligue 1 side Lorient. While the two teams continue to negotiate a new contract, Adam will travel to France this weekend.
The Scotland Under-21 international moved to City from Celtic in 2020, but Pep Guardiola’s first team is yet to see him play.
Manchester City are considering a move to re-sign right-back Pedro Porro, who currently plays for Sporting Lisbon, according to AS.
Since joining Sporting Lisbon from Manchester City last summer, Porro has impressed, attracting interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid, according to reports.
Manchester City have a £15m buy-back clause in this transfer window, while other teams will have to activate their €45m release clause to sign him. According to the study, given their defense-related issues, they might consider using this option.
As club football enters its final stretch, Manchester City tickets are in high demand. Official sellers may be a better option, but trusted dealer websites can help you find Man City tickets with confidence.
Source: De Bruyne a misfit at City?
