Man City fitness doubts and Bernardo’s tribute to Guardiola
Fixture lists stacked: City chase Arsenal with league, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup ties ahead. Key dates include Real Madrid home and away, Chelsea away, and Arsenal at the Etihad.
Bernardo hails Guardiola’s influence, saying working with Pep ‘took me to another level’. With his deal up in June and no renewal talks, the City skipper could depart after chasing a quadruple.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 via set pieces and a Pedro Neto red to restore a five-point lead over City after City’s 1-0 win at Leeds, keeping pressure in the title race.
Sergio Agüero says Barcelona’s Raphinha would ‘fit perfectly’ at City, praising his pressing and infield movement. A move looks unlikely given January’s Semenyo arrival and other priorities.
Man City and Man Utd plan a summer battle for Forest’s Elliot Anderson, valued around £75m, with past transfer tussles recalled including Sanchez, Maguire, Ronaldo and Grealish.
Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa says Mbappé must return ‘100 per cent’ from muscle discomfort, giving no timeline ahead of the Champions League last-16 first leg with Manchester City.
Guardiola criticises an 8pm FA Cup kick-off at Newcastle before a quick turnaround to Real Madrid, citing recovery, fatigue and travel as key concerns for City’s knockout ties.
Ex-City winger Nolito says he saw ‘huge egos’ in the 2016-17 dressing room, felt unsettled and lacked minutes under Guardiola, preferring La Liga after a single season at the Etihad.
Watford boss Ed Still lauds 18-year-old City loanee Stephen Mfuni as ‘fantastic’, saying his ceiling is ‘whatever he wants it to be’ after five strong outings at Vicarage Road.
Man City are scouting Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andrés, 20, after a 29-game breakout. Real Madrid can trigger a reported €11.4m buyback, potentially shaping any Premier League move.
Preview outlines Leeds vs Man City with form, team news, predicted lineups and TV details ahead of the Premier League meeting.
Forest’s 66 shots for one goal highlight poor shot quality before visiting Man City, who allow more attempts lately but prevent goals well. Pereira’s side must find a clinical edge.
Haaland is a major doubt with a knee issue, Gvardiol remains out with a tibial fracture, Kovacic sidelined with ankle/heel trouble, while Alleyne is out. City have no suspensions vs Forest.
