Man City confirm fixture crunch as Haaland commits
With City idle, Guardiola attended Stockport vs Port Vale in League One instead of PSG vs Bayern, reflecting his fondness for English lower-league ‘traditions’ and raw atmospheres.
City to host Crystal Palace on Wed 13 May, then face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on 16 May and visit Bournemouth on Tue 19 May. A congested finish includes Everton, Brentford and Aston Villa.
Aston Villa can equal Manchester City’s record of 10 straight European wins if they beat Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final first leg at the City Ground.
Juventus plan talks to sign Bernardo Silva on a free after he confirmed a June exit. The captain holds City records for Premier League wins and appearances, with Benfica and Barcelona also linked.
City have met Eli Junior Kroupi’s agent as Bournemouth set a £80m price with no release clause. Liverpool and Chelsea also keen, as Hugo Viana targets attacking reinforcements.
Haaland commits to ‘exciting times’ at City, dismissing Madrid links. He hails the squad refresh under Hugo Viana as City chase the league and a fourth straight FA Cup final, with 35 goals this season.
Michael Oliver will referee Everton vs Manchester City on Monday, with Paul Howard on VAR. City need a win to keep the title race in their hands amid a tough run-in.
Fernandinho reveals a 2020 pact with Guardiola: ‘You take care of the tactics, and I take care of the players’. He backs the 2021 UCL final call on Gundogan and hints a future return remains possible.
Report claims Guardiola is prepared to sell Tijjani Reijnders after a reduced role, with Arsenal alerted. The midfielder impressed early at City but is seen as ill-suited to the current system.
John Stones will leave City after 10 years and 16 trophies. The ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ excelled in Guardiola’s hybrid role, was key to the 2023 treble, but departs in June amid fitness issues.
Atletico’s Marcos Llorente embraces fringe health beliefs, from blue light glasses to chemtrails, with public backing from Erling Haaland. He has scored key Champions League goals this season.
Newcastle are ready to meet City’s £35-40m valuation for goalkeeper James Trafford. The 23-year-old has featured mainly in cups and is expected to seek regular first-team football.
Report claims Jack Grealish wants to leave Manchester City permanently this summer after a Guardiola snub, with no future at the club while Pep remains.
Doku says he can be the best winger if he adds more goals. The Belgian has 5 goals and 14 assists in 41 games, set up Haaland vs Burnley and scored at Wembley, and stresses ‘a winger needs to score’.
Chelsea will open talks to appoint a 4-2-3-1 coach likened to Guardiola as they plan their next move to challenge Manchester City.
Phil Foden’s form has dipped, with a subdued 58-minute display in the 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton. He is seen as needing a spark, like a key goal or assist, to regain confidence.
