Man City news today: John Stones injured, Gianluigi Donnarumma registers clean sheet and more
Manchester City do not have any fixtures for eight days, but there is still plenty to keep an eye on as the weekend approaches.
Man City fan groups object to potential ticket price rises
The 1894, along with MCFC Foodbank Support and Trade Union Blues, have teamed up to release a statement asking their club not to raise ticket prices next season.
Pep Guardiola’s remarks about his team needing the fans has been included in the post, which is entitled “Read the room, City.”
The fan groups have also mentioned how there are 7000 more seats to be filled next season due to the North Stand expansion.
This will involve moving fans from their usual section in order to accommodate hospitality areas, leaving the club open to even more criticism.
Jay Bothroyd says Man City should sell Rodri
Ex-England striker Jay Bothroyd has had his say on Rodri’s transfer situation and he believes Man City should entertain the idea of selling the Spaniard.
Bothroyd has not been convinced by Rodri since he returned from a lengthy ACL injury and the striker expects him to demand a new contract which could last up to four years.
“There’s two things here,” Bothroyd told Sky Sports News. One, he has got his foot out the door, and people have contacted him or his representatives, or two, he’s saying this because he wants a new contract. I’m not entirely sure.
“But I know when Real Madrid come calling, most players are going to be looking to leave. From Man City’s point of view, I would be looking at this and saying, he’s 30 years old in June. He’s got one year left on his deal.
“I always say, when you’ve got a player that’s 30 years old, he’s going to want, like a three or four year deal. So he’s not going to want one year, right?
“I feel like if you’ve got a player in this position, even though Rodri is unbelievable player, he’s one of the best in the world in his position,” he continued.
“Still, I think since he’s had his injury, he hasn’t come back and hit the ground running, but I genuinely think that’s because it’s hard to get back to that level when you’ve been plagued with injuries so much after that point.
“I think, Man City have to look to sell him. I think they have to sell him. I think you’ll still get a lot of money for him. I think if you give him that long term deal, it doesn’t always work out.”
Rodri would not replace Aurélien Tchouaméni at Real Madrid
According to Spanish radio presenter Manu Carreño, Rodri’s potential switch from Man City to Real Madrid would risk displacing Aurelien Tchouameni. This would make little sense, as the midfielder has been exceptional under Alvaro Arebola.
Even if Rodri does join, Carreno is confident that Tchouameni would keep his first-team spot, raising questions about the Man City players’ position in the team.
He told El Larguero: “There’s one thing that doesn’t add up for me. We’ve been saying all season that there’s a debate at Real Madrid about whether they need a Zubimendi, a Rodri, that they need a player like that in midfield, someone to bring order.
“So, if Rodri comes now, or imagine if Zubimendi came, it wouldn’t be to play alongside Tchouaméni. So, yes, it’s a complicated operation, because to think that Tchouaméni is going to disappear from that midfield.”
“Tchouaméni will play with Rodri or without Rodri.”
Bernardo Silva praises Man City’s newest signings
Bernardo Silva has discussed the hunger of Manchester City’s newest players, while appearing on the club’s podcast.
“For sure I see the same hunger to succeed in the new guys,” Silva told the Official Man City podcast.
“Now they know the standards of this club. The standard that is required and that we set in the last eight or nine years at this football club.
“It gives them even more hunger to go for it and to say ‘Look, we are also capable of that.’ Because this club in the last years we proved that if you want to be a part of it you need to be a winner,” he continued.
“These guys that have joined the club in the last two or three years they are really, really good. They can put this club exactly where it was – in a place where we can fight for titles every season.
“So, I see the fire in their eyes and that’s a very good thing.”
Manchester City could make an approach for Vincent Kompany
According to Sky Sports Germany, Man City are likely to consider Vincent Kompany for their managerial role if Pep Guardiola calls it a day at the end of the season.
Bayern Munich are aware of City’s interest in their former captain, but there is no plan to allow him to depart.
After all, Kompany recently extended his contract, meaning it will not expire for another three years. On top of this, multiple players at the Bundesliga side have extended their own contracts because of the Belgian.
John Stones may miss England’s friendly against Uruguay
John Stones is an injury doubt for England’s Friday night fixture against Uruguay, according to Craig Hope.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were seen training at Wembley Stadium yesterday and Stones was reported to be experiencing a calf problem.
The 31-year-old has already missed much of this season due to a thigh injury, so this is another huge blow, especially with the World Cup just months away.
Gianluigi Donnarumma keeps a clean sheet for Italy
Gianluigi Donnarumma stood tall as Italy defeated Northern Ireland 2-0, keeping a clean sheet during the match in Bergamo.
However, the Italian only actually had to make once save across the 90 minutes, while he prevented 0.11 goals. Still, Donnarumma did make nine recoveries, so it was not like he was static all night long.
He was not the only Man City player on international duty, with Rayan Cherki included in France’s squad to face Brazil. Unfortunately, the winger failed to make an appearance off the bench.
