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  • Manchester City vs Liverpool almost a title-decider – Richard Dunne

    Manchester City vs Liverpool almost a title-decider – Richard Dunne

    Former Manchester City captain Richard Dunne says Sunday’s match against Liverpool is “massive” and expects it to have a significant impact on the Premier League title race.

    Defending champions and current league leaders Liverpool travel to the Etihad, already holding a five-point advantage over City.

    Pep Guardiola’s side are currently 10th in the table after an inconsistent start to the campaign but Dunne believes his former club will have the belief they can push on and regain the title if they win this weekend.

    “It’s huge. This game almost decides the season. The two teams haven’t lost a lot of games over the last few years so they know that the importance of the three points in this one is massive,” Dunne told Sky Sports News.

    “City go into it after beating Liverpool 4-0 last year but they’ll know that wasn’t the real Liverpool side, they’d already wrapped up the league by then.

    “It’s going to be very competitive. I think for City, and for Liverpool as well, they’ll understand how big it is. They’ll understand that everything up to now has sort of been a warm-up for this game.”

    READ ALSO: Bale and Ramsey in Wales squad for upcoming games

    “It’s not just the result of one game this weekend, this could turn the championship and this could give you the belief to go on a run and try a build a lead, or for City to catch up with Liverpool.

    “The players are going to be really up for it and looking forward to it. It’s got the makings of a great game.”

    When asked if he expected his former club to win on Sunday, Dunne added: “City need to win. They’re a few points behind Liverpool and I fancy them at the weekend.

    “I think they’re in good form, Liverpool have a couple of problems defensively and I fancy City to take advantage of that.”

    Doubts remain over whether City striker Sergio Aguero will recover from a thigh injury in time for the match, although Gabriel Jesus is set to be available after coming off the bench to score against Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    Makeshift centre-forward Ferran Torres opened the scoring in the 3-0 win over the Greek side, and Dunne believes the Spaniard could keep his place in the team against Liverpool.

    “I’ve been very impressed with Torres playing centre-forward,” he added.

    “They signed him to play on the wing but through circumstances he’s ended up in a central position. The way he’s been playing has been really positive for the team.

    “He’s been stretching defences in behind and giving them different options. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Torres who started.

    “To have Aguero back would be brilliant and Jesus came back with that goal. Even if you have them two in reserve to come on at some stage in the game, it’s a real threat for Liverpool.

    “I just think the fitness and the rhythm of Torres, points to him starting this weekend.”

  • Liverpool & Manchester City in race for Alaba

    Liverpool & Manchester City in race for Alaba

    Premier League giants Liverpool and Man City are reportedly in a race to sign Bayern Munich defender David Alaba in the January transfer window. Alaba has gained the attention of several top suitors across Europe after it was revealed that the European champions withdrew from the contract negotiations with the Austrian. It is now believed that the Bundesliga giants will look to offload Alaba in the winter itself rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer. 

    Earlier this week, Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer spoke to BR and revealed that the club withdrew their new deal for Alaba, whose current contract at the Allianz Arena expires in the summer of 2021. Heiner explained that Bayern had offered Alaba a new five-year extension at the club but the salary negotiations between the two parties had been a major issue. Alaba later claimed that he was disappointed with the way the situation was handled and drew speculation over his future. 

    READ ALSO: Rodgers explains why Mendy can’t play with Ndidi at Leicester City

    Prior to Thiago’s move from Bayern to Liverpool, Bayern CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, warned that the club will not allow players to run down their contracts and that they wouldn’t mind offloading key players if they fail to extend their deals at the club. This could mean that Bayern might allow Alaba, who has been at the club since 2008, to leave in the January transfer window itself instead of losing him on a free transfer. 

    According to a report from AS, Premier League champions Liverpool are now keen on signing Alaba as a potential replacement for the injured Van Dijk. Van Dijk has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the season and the Merseyside club have an injury crisis at centre-back. With Alaba’s future at Bayern in doubt, the Reds are reportedly keen on making a move for the 28-year-old in January to strengthen their back-line. 

    The report from AS also goes on to state that Man City boss Pep Guardiola is monitoring Alaba’s situation at Bayern. The versatile defender played at left-back when Guardiola was in charge of the club and helped the Bavarians to three consecutive Bundesliga titles under the Catalan. With Benjamin Mendy’s constant injury woes and the long-term future of Oleksandr Zincehnko uncertain, Guardiola reportedly wants Alaba at the Etihad. 

    However, Liverpool and Man City aren’t the only clubs that are monitoring Alaba’s situation at Bayern. Reports claim that Real Madrid, PSG and Juventus are also keeping close tabs on Bayern’s jewel, who could be available on a free transfer next summer. At Bayern, Alaba has gone on to make 396 appearances so far, scoring 31 goals, winning eight Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues.

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  • Guardiola confident Manchester City will find consistency

    Guardiola confident Manchester City will find consistency

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is confident his team will find the consistency they need, after their 3-0 victory at Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

    Manchester City took control of Group C with six points from two games, leading FC Porto and Olympiakos by three points while OM are bottom of the table after two defeats.

    Guardiola’s side got off to a slugglish start in the English Premier League (EPL), sitting in 13th place with eight points from five games, five behind leaders Everton.

    The leaders have played one more match.

    “We have to accept the criticism. We play every three days, when you win it’s good. But, if you don’t, people want to destroy everything.

    “But it’s about the chairman and everyone else understanding (the situation),” said Guardiola.

    “Part of the criticism was right, but you’ve got to accept it.

    “It’s part of our job. It’s about where we’ve come from in the last month, with lack of preparation, injuries and COVID-19. But the Champions League is in a good place now.

    “I’m sure we’re going to find that consistency.”

    While Marseille proved to be an easy target on Tuesday, Manchester City were lively throughout.

    They made their domination count and defended well when the hosts briefly threatened after the break.

    “We played really well, we didn’t concede much and we were in control, patient and aggressive without the ball.

    “I’m so satisfied with the performance and result, it’s always difficult to win away,” said Guardiola, who hinted that Manchester City liked playing against teams fielding a five-man defence.

    “We can play on both sides, we tried to play high and wide to stretch the pitch. Raheem Sterling was exceptional, Phil (Foden) as well,” he said.

    “We didn’t expect them to play five at the back until we saw the team. FC Porto was the same. As much as we play against five at the back we started to take the control and rhythm.

    “We were so stable defensively. I’m so satisfied with the way we played.

  • Manchester City aren’t the only big spenders — Guardiola

    Manchester City aren’t the only big spenders — Guardiola

    If there is one thing that still riles Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, it is the suggestion that his English Premier League (EPL) success is down to money.

    Manchester City were cleared on Monday of breaking UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

    The court overturned the club’s two-year European ban.

    But the club’s manager was in a fiery mood as he railed against the idea that cash was behind the club’s two Premier League titles.

    For the Spaniard, who won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, Manchester City are by no means unusual when it comes to spending big on players.

    Guardiola, whose side are still fighting this season for their first UEFA Champions League title, said Manchester United and Arsenal had also invested heavily to win previous Premier League titles.

    “When Chelsea start (started) to win Premier Leagues, they (had) invested more money than the other ones,” he told reporters.

    “I’m a good manager, but I don’t win titles if I don’t have good players and good players are expensive. But all the clubs spend a lot of money.”

    Manchester City have spent more than a billion pounds on acquiring players since the club was bought by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008.

    Guardiola took over the team in 2016 and has spent heavily in the transfer market, including nine players who cost more than 45 million pounds (56.46 million dollars) each.

    “We can spend as much money as our chairman or our owners want, but always, always in the Financial Fair Play rules and we show it, we were there.

    “We were exonerated for something we were accused of, all the time. That is the reality,” said Guardiola.

    “When we won, it was on the pitch. All the good things we have done, all the bad things we have done it was on the pitch, in the grass, in the green, there,” he said.

    Guardiola pointed out that neighbours Manchester United outbid them to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal and Harry Maguire from Leicester City and highlighted big-spending from other eras.

    The former FC Barcelona manager said the pressure of the UEFA investigation had brought him closer to Manchester City.

    “I love this club. I love, because I know the people here and I’m working (with them) for a long time. We have our history.

    “I don’t know if it’s better or worse, it doesn’t matter, it’s our history. I love it,” he said.(Reuters/NAN)

  • CAS overturns Manchester City’s ban from European football

    CAS overturns Manchester City’s ban from European football

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday said it has overturned Manchester City’s two-year ban from European football.

    The decision by the Lausanne-based court means Pep Guardiola’s team will compete in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

    CAS ruled that Manchester City did not breach Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by disguising equity funding as sponsorship.

    The court also reduced a fine for failing to cooperate with UEFA to 10 million euros (8.93 million pounds) from 30 million euros.

    “Most of the alleged breaches reported by the (UEFA) Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB were either not established or time-barred,” CAS said in a statement.

    UEFA, European football’s governing body, had ruled in February that Manchester City had committed serious FFP breaches and failed to cooperate with its investigation.

    Missing out on the UEFA Champions League would have cost Manchester City, who have denied wrongdoing, as much as 100 million pounds in prize money and broadcast revenue, as well as matchday and other revenues.

    The FFP regulations are designed to stop clubs running up big losses through spending on players.

    They also ensure sponsorship deals are based on their real market value and are genuine commercial agreements —- and not ways for owners to pump cash into a club to get around the rules.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Manchester City crushes newly crowned EPL Champions 4-0

    Manchester City crushes newly crowned EPL Champions 4-0

    It has been Liverpool’s season, but it was Manchester city’s night as they crushed the newly crowned premier league champions 4-0 at the Etihad stadium on Thursday.

    Manchester City have been in good form since the restart of the premier league and they had a point to prove against Liverpool.

    They also had their eyes on the maximum points to keep third place Leicester city at bay.

    Kevin De Bruyne scored his first career goal against Liverpool from the penalty spot, and then ten minutes later, Raheem Sterling doubled the lead with a well taken goal.

    Phil Foden put the game beyond Liverpool’s reach at the stroke of half time as City cruised to a deserved 3-0 victory.

    Elsewhere, Tottenham’s hopes of finishing in the Top four and securing a Champions league spot was dealt a severe blow after they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sheffield United.

    Sander Berge scored in the first half to give the home team the lead. But when Tottenham thought they had equalized, Harry Kane’s strike was ruled out by the VAR.

    Second half goals by Lys Mousset and Oliver McBurnie ended the contest despite Kane’s late consolation goal, as Sheffield picked the maximum points and moved above Arsenal into 7th on the premier league table.

  • Aguero sends Man City into FA Cup quarter-finals

    Aguero sends Man City into FA Cup quarter-finals

    Sergio Aguero’s second-half goal proved enough for holders Manchester City to beat second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 1-0, but they made hard work of reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

    It looked like a practice game at times for Pep Guardiola’s side at Hillsborough but they struggled to convert their overwhelming superiority into goals.

    Nicolas Otamendi and Benjamin Mendy were both denied by the woodwork before Aguero finally made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute courtesy of an error by keeper Joe Wildsmith.

    Leicester City beat Birmingham City 1-0 to book their place in the last eight . Ricardo Pereira’s late header sealing a tight Midlands derby.

    Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City were playing extra time after their fifth-round tie ended 1-1. (Reuters/NAN)

  • PSG replace Manchester City as most financially-powerful club, report says

    PSG replace Manchester City as most financially-powerful club, report says

    French champions Paris St-Germain (PSG) have overtaken Manchester City as the most financially-powerful club in world football, the annual Soccerex Football Finance 100 report has showed.

    PSG topped the 2020 edition with a football finance index score of 5.318.

    This is based on the value of the current squad, tangible assets, finance available in their accounts, potential owner investment and net debt.

    The study said PSG had reduced their debt by 70 million euros (£58.2 million) over the last year while Manchester City’s debt levels had increased by more than 90 million euros.

    Bayern Munich came third with Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid completing the top five.

    Manchester United fell eight places from last year to 16th in the report, mainly due to the depreciation in squad value and an increase in cash debt.

    Europe’s elite sides accounted for 80 per cent of the top 30 but almost half of those clubs are owned by non-European entities.

    These include organisations and individuals from the Middle East, North America and South-east Asia, the report said.

    “This year’s report paints a positive picture of football’s collective financial health, but it also highlights the growing imbalance between the power of Europe’s modern elite, with some of the game’s heritage brands in danger of being left behind,” Philip Gegan, Soccerex managing director, said.

    “In spite of Europe’s dominance, football is very much a global game with investment from football’s emerging markets very much underpinning its continued growth.”

    The English Premier League (EPL) is represented by 18 clubs in the top 100, while the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) was the next best with 17.

    Los Angeles Football Club were rated highest from the MLS in 18th spot ahead of local rivals LA Galaxy at number 22.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Man City banned from European competition for 2 seasons by UEFA

    Man City banned from European competition for 2 seasons by UEFA

    English champions Manchester City have been banned from European competition for the next two seasons.

    The club has also been fined 30 million euros (£25 million) by European soccer’s governing body UEFA after an investigation into alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

    UEFA said in a statement that City had committed “serious breaches” of the rules while the Premier League club swiftly said they intended to appeal the decision to the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

    The ruling, if upheld, would mean City would not be able to compete in next season’s Champions League should they again qualify for Europe’s top club competition.

    UEFA’s FFP rules are intended to prevent clubs receiving unlimited amounts of money through inflated sponsorship deals with organisations related to the owners.

    The Adjudicatory Chamber of UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), said City had broken the rules by “overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016” and added that the club “failed to cooperate in the investigation”. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Messi may join Guardiola at Manchester City

    Messi may join Guardiola at Manchester City

    Manchester City are monitoring Lionel Messi’s public fall-out with Barcelona should he exercise a clause in his contract and leave Camp Nou this summer.

    Messi’s long-term future at his boyhood club was thrown into doubt earlier this week when the Barça captain publicly called out sporting director Eric Abidal.

    Abidal criticised the Barça players’ work rate under former head coach Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked and replaced by Quique Setien last month.

    Messi played alongside Abidal between 2007 and 2013 but took exception to his comments, accusing him of “dirtying” the players and asking him to “give names”.

    Messi’s Barcelona contract, which is set to expire next summer, contains a clause that allows for him to leave for free at the end of this season if he wishes.

    Independent UK says reports in Spain on Thursday night suggested Messi and Abidal had settled their differences after clear-the-air talks with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

    Any Messi exit remains unlikely, as his many potential suitors would accept, and the 32-year-old has repeatedly said he wishes to end his career at Barcelona.

    But Messi is yet to extend his stay beyond 2021, having last renewed in 2017, and expressed his disappointment last summer when the club failed to re-sign his former team-mate and friend Neymar.

    In the event that Messi did leave Camp Nou this summer, City would expect to lead the race to sign a player who Pep Guardiola has consistently hailed as the greatest of all time.

    Messi retains strong links with his former manager Guardiola, but also City director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano from their time at Barcelona.

    Guardiola has always insisted that he would not attempt to prise Messi away from Camp Nou, claiming last season: ”I said a thousand times I want him to stay at Barcelona.”

    The existence of a break clause in Messi’s contract was confirmed by Bartomeu in September. “Messi signed until 2021. It was agreed that at the end of the penultimate season he is at liberty to leave for free,” he told Barça TV.

    “He has earned that freedom to decide his future, but he is very Cule and I am calm. Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and [Carles] Puyol had the same clause.

    “We couldn’t give Messi a different clause, but I repeat, I am in no doubt he will stay for many years.”