Manchester City sharpen up as title door stays ajar
BBC Sport clarify Guehi is eligible for City in the FA Cup despite playing for Crystal Palace, as rules allow one other club earlier in the competition. He could face Salford in the fourth round.
Arsenal draw 1-1 at Brentford to leave their lead at four points, keeping City in the title hunt with a head-to-head still to come. Madueke scored before Lewis-Potter levelled from a long throw.
Assistant Pep Lijnders says renewing a trophy-winning side is ‘the hardest thing in football’. City blend youth with pillars Rodri, Bernardo and Dias, using seven under-22s in the Champions League.
City beat Fulham 3-0 after a 15-minute blitz from Semenyo, O’Reilly and Haaland. An intense high press stifled Leno. A crafted second goal showcased Guardiola’s patterns before intensity dipped after the break.
Juventus are exploring a summer free move for 31-year-old Bernardo Silva as his Man City deal runs down, eyeing his versatility and experience to boost their midfield.
Early FPL ‘bus team’ backs triple Man City, with Haaland and O’Reilly highlighted. City’s home clean sheets and Dias-Guehi pairing noted ahead of Newcastle’s congested schedule.
Croatia’s doctor says Joško Gvardiol’s fractured tibia should heal in five months with hope for World Cup inclusion. Mateo Kovačić’s recovery is ahead of schedule, potentially back by early March.
Guardiola responds to Jim Ratcliffe by saying the ‘big, big problem’ is treating immigrants as a problem, urging society to embrace other cultures. Spoke before City’s FA Cup tie with Salford.
Marc Guehi was offered to Real Madrid before joining City in January. Guardiola and Hugo Viana secured him amid injuries to Gvardiol and Dias. He has featured heavily, including a testing outing at Anfield.
Rodri’s father says the midfielder is ‘negotiating’ his future. With a deal to 2027, City want clarity as Spanish interest lingers. He has returned from injury and remains central to Guardiola’s plans.
City target Elliot Anderson for midfield and are assessing right-backs Michael Kayode and Givairo Read. Adam Wharton remains on the list amid Forest’s £100m+ valuation of Anderson.
No City details provided beyond Haaland being referenced in Tottenham context, so specifics on Manchester City cannot be confirmed from this title alone.
Guardiola says Haaland is not 100% after Fulham ‘niggles’ and will be assessed for Salford. Stones could feature with minutes managed. Savinho and Doku still out. Rotation expected for FA Cup.
Ruben Dias says training with Erling Haaland is ‘dangerous’, with ‘sparks flying’ due to the striker’s clinical edge. He also hails a brotherly bond with Bernardo Silva and stresses mentality and sacrifice.
Burnley plan a summer loan for Kalvin Phillips if relegated, while City prefer a permanent sale. Wages may force another temporary move as the midfielder seeks regular football after Sheffield United.
A 19-year-old Man City fan, Matthew Delaney, receives a three-year Football Banning Order and fines after an unprovoked assault on a Brighton supporter post-match in August 2025.
Agents describe sporting director Hugo Viana as ‘straightforward and courteous’. Hand-picked by Begiristain, he helped land £20m Marc Guehi as City rebuild under Guardiola and plan further squad refresh.
Rodri is charged by the FA for post-2-2 Tottenham interview, alleged to imply referee bias and question integrity under Rule 3.1. He has until 18 February to respond.
City are reportedly eyeing Roma’s versatile right-back Wesley, with a €50m offer claimed and Guardiola said to have ‘big plans’. Roma would prefer to keep him but could sell for a sizable bid.
