Everton have come at the wrong time for Manchester City, don't need another Injury

The Everton game couldn't have come at a more badly timed stage of the season for Manchester City, Everton have a track record of injuring our players and getting away with it. With Aguero's glass knee, De Bruyne and Vinny only just back from injury, both Zabaleta and Sagna out injured, Everton's careless physical game isn't what we need right now.

In 2014 Everton players sandwiched Aguero, Coleman fouled Aguero and Besic shoved Aguero to the ground, but what this video doesn't show is a poor tackle by Gareth Barry moments before. All Everton players got away with zero cautions or bookings. It's Besic who should have been punished for the shove which led to Aguero's injury.

In 2016 Kevin De Bruyne was injured against Everton, again the Everton player Funes Mori didn't get cautioned or booked.

Going to be a tough game, especially seeing as they are a new Everton under new boss Ronald Koeman.

Evertons players that our guys should watch out for are Gareth Barry, Ramiro Funes Mori and Muhamed Bešić.

Good luck lads, hoping you all come out of it injury free.

Bluewatch Forum in Association with This is our City, Come join us and have your say

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We are also delighted to tell you that we will be going into association with others, so look out in the near future for special offers, competitions and more exciting content.

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Sterling not at fault for England being average, Sam Allardyce won't win anything.

First of all I'd like to say I'm English and proud, I'm patriotic but, I'm not deluded and living in a bubble like some England fans I can mention. Most notably the England Boo Brigade, Joe Hart aside it's not Raheem Sterling's fault that the rest of the England squad are average at best.

Yes that's right and examples are an England who just can't move on from a 30 year old Wayne Rooney, the so called world class striker who always went missing at virtually every World Cup he was extremely lucky too attend. I've always said England will win nothing with Trafford United players and what have England ever won with Rio Ferdinand, Rat Face Neville Brothers, Scholes, Beckham, Sherringham to name but a few.

There's some youth in the England team now but nothing to write home about at present, all have flattered to deceive for their respected parent clubs. Prime example: Leicester City win the Premier League title, nothing miraculous about it because everyone else including Manchester City were shit, England go and pick Vardy who ultimately failed at Euro 2016. Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, just another Wayne Rooney and confirmed that at again, Euro 2016.

Who said Sterling can't finish?

So is it really Raheem Sterling's fault that the rest of his national team mates are average and struggle to get anywhere at International level? The same goes for Joe Hart, is it his fault that England's defense are average? Garry Cahill? Chris Smalling? you only have to put on a United shirt and you're instantly world class, it's the United way. I mean really? are they the best center backs England have too pick from. Right now England fans can look too one Manchester City player for hope, John Stones is already looking the part under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at City. Add too that Raheem Sterling who is right now on fire for City and the future of the England national side starts too look slightly less darker, a few football legends as well as one or two ex Guardiola players have stated, Guardiola will have a positive impact on English football? Well here it is for you all to witness, he's only been at Manchester City five minutes and he has Stones and Sterling on top of their game. Call me optimistic and premature but, I'll take anything right now when it concerns the sorry state of the England national squad.

As you can see Sterling has come on leaps and bounds under the guidance of only the best manager in the world right now, that Manager that United didn't really want after losing out too Manchester City for his signature. Then panicked their way to signing a manager who left his last club in turmoil, to be exact a law suit with a certain doctor, £1 billion of debt and half way down the Premier League table. But that wasn't the end of the panic, they even had to go and buy a 34 year old Forward unproven in English football. The wheels on the red tinted Bus are going to fall off at some point.

We are going to win absolutely nothing with England's current crop of players, we will just have to wait at least another 5 years before we see some of the best England players currently working their way through the Etihad Campus and one or two other Academies (not United's). An academy designed and stocked with youth skilled enough for Pep Guardiola, see I knew it was only a matter of time before Pep Guardiola signed for Manchester City. The writing was on the wall with the new system our academy ran, a system which was adopted from the La Masia, FC Barcelona's Youth Academy, the very same Academy once coached by Pep Guardiola. City were preparing for his eventual arrival, the timing just wasn't right and it makes sense. Guardiola wanted a ready made Academy capable of offering him what he needs, even so he was surprised on arrival to see the level of progress Manchester City had made.

But getting back too Raheem Sterling and England. It's blatantly obvious that great players are going to play better when the players around them are equally as great. So if you've got a defence consisting of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling then, you're pretty much going to get extremely little protection. If you've got the likes of a 30 year old past it Forward in Midfield who has failed in virtually every single World Cup he's conned his way into, what hope can you have too shine. Not everyone is Lionel Messi, a player who strikes fear in teams just by being present on the field, not every player is capable of turning a game on it's head.

Raheem Sterling is young, still only 21 so it's only a matter of time before he really comes into his own, hell defenders don't even develop into great players until they hit their mid twenties. Experience is the magic word, which is why the England Boo Brigade can only be described as: Premature, Deluded, Unrealistic bunch of neanderthals living in bubbles.

The British Media have ceased building up England anymore for the inevitable fall from grace, so why are these people expecting far too much from England? Answer is simple: Because they can and most notably the players they are using as scape goats just so conveniently happen to be Manchester City players.

Jealousy, Envy, Hate? take your pick, but what are they going to do once they have no players too attack? They'll go back to nothing but their pitiful little existence and have to find something else to cry about.

It's not Joe Hart's or Raheem Sterling's fault England are average.

On that note Sam Allardyce? seriously?

4 Manchester City Players Injured, Culprits were never punished by the FA

Here's three of the lastest injuries that Manchester City players suffered and the English Football Association nor the match officials on the night of the games punished.



NO RED CARD OR 3 MATCH BAN



NO RED CARD OR 3 MATCH BAN



West Hams United's Cheikhou Kouyaté deliberately assaults David Silva and he only gave him a yellow, what yanked my chain about this one was. Even Manuel Pellegrini came out and naively said "I always think that a player doesn’t want to damage another player", but pundits were unanimous that they believed the intention was there. NO RED CARD OR 3 MATCH BAN



Fellaini was never banned for 3 matches because the stupid Referee handed him out a yellow when it clearly should have been a straight red. NO RED CARD OR 3 MATCH BAN

Every time we beat a team, their managers or coaches first excuse is always "we gifted them easy goals".

The exact reason I hate Sam Allardyce, after West Ham United's Cheikhou Kouyaté put David Silva in hospital with a vicious elbow, Little Sam come out with "there was nothing in it".

But Sergio Aguero could end up with a 3 match ban for not making contact with Winston Reid and for Winston Reid simulating and feigning injury. Might I add Winston Reid hasn't been registered out of action yet, can't see him on the injury table at present?

Kelechi Iheanacho's injury not bad, only minor says Dad

Kelechi's Dad has told allnigeriasoccer that his sons injury is just a minor one and Manchester City have told him to rest up for 2 weeks, so he could be back in action in as little as 3 weeks.

The Manchester Derby is probably a long shot at best for a return but, with Leroy Sane set to more than likely make his debut. I suspect he will be fit to play a part in our first Champions League match against Mönchengladbach on the 13th Sept, or Bournemouth on the 17th Sept.

Manchester City include Stones in Champions League list for Steaua Bucharest, full list of registered players.

Uefa have confirmed Manchester City asked for John Stones too be included in our squad for Steaua Bucharest, under the shirt number 24

Hart, Caballero

Zabaleta, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Sagna, Denayer, Otamendi

Sterling, Sane, Delph, De Bruyne, Silva, Fernandinho, Navas, Fernando, Yaya Toure

Iheanacho, Nolito, Aguero

Where will Sane play under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City?

German wonderkid Leroy Sane looks set to make the move from Shalke to Manchester City for approximately £35m. Where will Pep’s fourth major signing of the summer fit into the City team? 

Leroy Sane 

Sane is a predominantly left footed player capable of playing anywhere across a front 3. For Shalke he has mainly been used as a right winger cutting inside to great effect. 

It is this position that Pep has him down for. 

Pep Guardiola’s style of play 

Thierry Henry did an excellent piece on Pep’s style of play in a Monday Night Football piece on Sky Sports. Henry mentions the 3 P’s that make up Guardiola’s philosophy. 

Play, possession and position. 

To see how Sane will fit in watch Henry’s discussion and compare them to the clips of Sane 

 
You’ll see that Sane often holds his position wide on the left until the final 3rd being released to devastating effect, just as Henry describes Pep Guardiola’s demands. 

At 20 years old Sane already plays to Pep’s demands and will only get better with the Spaniard’s coaching. 

Who’s place will he take?

An admission: I like Jesus Navas. Watching City under Pellegrini the team, in my opinion, was better with him in the team than without. Navas created a structure to the team and just by staying out wide he created space for the likes of Silva and De Bruyne. 

Navas got into position to create many chances and last season was one of the highest number of assists in the side (7 in the Prem league). His pace and willingness to track back was an asset in the team and his workrate helped Sagna (who for me was player of the season) on that right hand side. 

However there is one glaring area where Navas fails. 

In 33 Premier League games Jesus scored 0 goals! 

For an attacking player in an attacking team that is not good enough (we scored more Premier League goals than anyone else!). Navas should be looking to score around 10 goals, the much derided Raheem Sterling scored 6 whilst Kevin De Bruyne scored 7 in a bad year for City. 

Navas v Sane 

Goal scoring is where Leroy Sane has a major edge over Jesus Navas. For a Shalke team, that only scored 51 goals finishing in 5th place last season, Sane scored 8 times, whilst also assisting 6 times (only one less than Navas). 

Both players played a similar number of minutes last season, let’s see how they compared

• Successful Take-on’s: Navas 48, Sane 92

Leroy Sane has been described as a dribble king and from these you can see why. Pep style of play is to build a team to create one on ones. Sane would fit perfectly into this. 

• Shots: Navas 31, Sane 68 

So Sane took more than twice as many shots as Navas last season. Not a major surprise as Navas seems to lack confidence in front of goal often passing rather than taking the shot. 

• Passes: Navas 1267, Sane 615 

An area where Navas destroys Sane! Maybe due to the team style, maybe due to Sane’s different style of play being more likely to dribble, take-on and shoot. Probably an area where he will change in a Pep Guardiola side which usually have a high level of possession and passes. 

• Aerial duals won: Navas 9, Sane 27 

Ok not an important stat for a winger but Sane is over 6ft tall so will improve a forward line of 5ft 8 Aguero and 5ft 7 Sterling. 

Finances 

Sane’s cost of around £35m will be frowned upon much as Raheem Sterling’s fee was (it is City after all – no one else spends money!). However recent reports suggest Navas could be back off to Sevilla for £15m. 

If this was the case it could be a great bit of squad upgrade with swapping a 30 year old Navas for a 20 year old Sane who assists the same and scores a lot more for a net spend of £20m. 

Txiki you’re not doing a bad job after all. 

(Did I just say net spend? – I’m turning into an Arsenal fan!).

Learn more about Pep's tactics: Pep Guardiola: 3 books every Man City fan should read

Selected City Tricasts: Early Preview, There's only one League Trophy

SPONSORED POST By Tamhas Woods

Two great Coaches, two superlative minds, but only one Premier League trophy – Manchester simply isn’t big enough for Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

Not since the eve of the 2012/13 season has there been such a hotly anticipated title fight between City and their neighbours, and Pep’s revolution already appears to have significant momentum. Ilkay Gundogan and the lightning-fast Nolito are both signings that reflect a true desire from Guardiola to take City to the next level, and possibly the very stratosphere of Europe.

As a result, bookmakers have wasted no time in declaring the two Manchester clubs as front runners in Tricast markets.

The new season begins on 13th August. For the latest Man City odds, visit Betfair (Betfair Casino).

With an unrivaled war chest, City are naturally the outright favorites to finish above United – an act which should see Guardiola’s new club claim a third BPL title. As ever though, winning a title is always easier said than done, and with another new element from the capital, gamblers are set to be guessing until the very end of the upcoming season.

CITY/UNITED/CHELSEA OR ARSENAL – 33/1 CHELSEA/CITY/UNITED – 40/1

For either Manchester club to win the title with the other finishing second, and Chelsea or Arsenal to complete the top three, any combination is currently priced at around 33/1. However, with no European football for Chelsea, and the refreshing influence of Antonio Conte, odds for an immediate return of the title to West London have shortened with disquieting pace.

Naturally, so too have the odds for Chelsea finishing third or better tumbled. The acquisition of N’Golo Kante from Leicester will improve the balance between flair and workmanship, and such balance is an important element of any title winning squad – nobody can deny that it was sadly lacking at Stamford Bridge in 2015/16.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s consistent challenge for a top three berth makes them a natural consideration in any Tricast, but a notable section of the Gunners faithful have voiced discontent at the continued employment of Wenger at Ashburton Grove.

This discontent clearly affected the players at key moments in 2015/16, a season which many would argue was a huge opportunity lost for Arsene Wenger’s men. Such were Arsenal’s shortcomings last season, not even a league double over Leicester could prevent the Foxes from winning the title at what was eventually a 10-point canter.

With Arsenal the only top club apparently shying away some much-needed drastic changes, there is the ever-present danger that the Gunners will be consigned once again to that famous fourth place in May 2017.

CITY/UNITED/TOTTENHAM – 40/1 CITY/TOTTENHAM/UNITED – 50/1 CITY/CHELSEA/TOTTENHAM – 66/1

All set for another Champions League adventure, Mauricio Pochettino has an able young Tottenham squad, all of whom are at (or nearing) the peak of their playing careers. Since none of them are showing any sign of moving elsewhere in the near future, many punters will be tempted to back them for another top three finish.

By a quirk of the fixture list, there is further ammunition in favor of Tottenham. They have a home game against none other than Manchester City after Matchday 2 of the upcoming Champions League, assuming that City themselves avoid utter humiliation at the Playoff stage in August.

The match at White Hart Lane on 2nd October could be a telling one if Tottenham can successfully emulate the form of 2015/16, but in addition to the three biggest London clubs, several other Premier League teams also boast attractive prices to complete the Tricast.

CITY/UNITED/LIVERPOOL – 40/1

With a proud history and tradition, not to mention a recently stellar league record against City, Liverpool will have a psychological advantage over their Mancunian neighbors. Like Chelsea, Liverpool will also be absent from Europe, and bookmakers clearly believe that an eighth place finish for the reds last season fails to tell the whole story. CITY/UNITED/LEICESTER – 150/1

N’Golo Kante, a sheer force of nature, has swapped the blue of the incumbent for the blue of the deposed. With the champions now bereft of their midfield general, odds for any Tricast involving Leicester have lengthened drastically.

In time, the signings will come, precipitating the drastic shortening of Leicester’s odds to complete a Tricast, so gamblers must act quickly to secure a good potential payout.

CITY/UNITED/EVERTON – 250/1

The apparent complexion of Everton’s near future has changed much in the past year. Now backed by Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri, a very different approach to all aspects of the club’s management is expected.

Most Evertonians, in turn, expect an immediate change in form and fortune on the pitch. Again, any gamblers intending to back Everton for a top three finish would be advised strongly to do so before new manager Ronald Koeman makes the first major signing of summer 2016.

*Odds may fluctuate

Win the New Manchester City Nike Home Shirt with ManCityGifts.com

Win the New Manchester City Nike Home Shirt

This Competition is only open to UK participants, we apologise for this.

Our friends at Mancitygifts.com with the Official City Store, have launched a new competition for one lucky City fan to win the new Nike home shirt.

All you have to do to enter is go to the Mancitygifts Competition page here and answer a simple question.

Revealed at the Cityzen's weekend in early July, together with City's new manager Pep Guardiola, the new Nike home shirt has had a mixed reception.

Some fans dislike the addition of navy to the sleeves of the shirt, whilst others are unhappy that the shirt is a "template" design. The Nike Aeroswift Template has been used in almost all Nike shirts are this season, with both Portugal and France wearing the template in the 2016 European Championships final.

However many of these reservations were down to grainy images pre-launch and the shirts have got a more favorable reaction since being officially revealed.

What do you think of the new shirt? Have you bought it after changing your mind? Let us know in the comment section below.

To enter the competition go to the Mancitygifts Competition page here

Rules

Competition ends Sunday 24th July 2016 (9pm UK time)

Looking for gifts for City fans? Come check out our stock at Mancitygifts.com

Manchester City should avoid buying Everton players, Forget John Stones and give our youth a chance.

I don't think we should be buying more Everton players, it just makes no sense when we should be pushing for players to improve us. Not players who are in clubs lower down the table, especially those who are not setting the stage a light. The players we have signed from Everton haven't exactly turned out great, the only notable one would be Richard Dunne in recent years. Michael Ball, Joleon Lescott and Jack Rodwell were all underwhelming if not a total waste of money.

The only logical reason for us to target a player like John Stones, would be for the homegrown quota, that's far from a good reason to go spending the reported £50 million it would require. Even at £40 million it's ludicrous.

Especially when we have the likes of England International Defenders in Tosin Adarabioyo and Cameron Humphreys ready to step up to the first team, Defenders who have been drilled to play the Guardiola way.

I don't think we should be signing John Stones, I acknowledge we need to sign one top class experienced Center Back to replace Martin Demichelis but Stone's isn't the answer.

If it was me I'd get in 30 year old Diego Godin from Atletico Madrid on the cheap and let our young lads learn from him and Vinny.

What's your opinion, Stones? or Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, two other Center Backs we've been linked with recently?

England Boo Boys and Media are Embarrassing, England fans and Hodgson are to blame for England's failure.

So what we, England deserved to beat Iceland and qualify for the Quarter Finals of Euro 2016 and it's all Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling's fault?

Overnight and today England fans are attacking Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling, calling them everything under the sun you could possibly think of. Even advising them to commit suicide, this behaviour is absolutely ludicrous, appalling and embarrassing.

Even the English Media had England down to beat Iceland claiming England should beat Iceland convincingly.

But yet again the Media and Supporters pile huge pressure on the England squad, an England squad who have barely ever played together. Singling out certain England players for huge social media criticism, abuse and slander.

What pisses me off the most is, that the only players who have been attacked are Manchester City players. When Wayne Rooney is a complete and utter over hyped average pile of donkey dung, constantly knocked off the ball and made a complete fool of by Iceland. Yet no one attacked him for his piss poor performances, he isn't even a bloody midfielder for crying out loud.

Daniel Sturridge provided absolutely nothing in attack and couldn't score to save his life either, Harry Kane and James Vardy haven't exactly set the European stage alight either. Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling were an utter shambles and provided Joe Hart absolutely ZERO protection.

Why are only Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling being attacked and made scape goats. The worst thing Joe Hart could possibly of done, was to admit it was his fault that England are out of Euro 2016 because it's not just Harts fault.

Watching Roy Hodgson walk down the tunnel leaving his players devastated on the field with their tails tucked between their legs was the sign of a man out of his depth, a fake who should never have been England Manager in the first place. He couldn't even figure out who his first eleven were, that aided to the downfall of England.

The England Supporters who put too much pressure on Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling are to blame for England's failure, who failed to support Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling when they needed it the most. Instead you put Joe Hart in a position where he feared failure because he knew you were all lining up to have him hung. You all viciously and cruelly singled out Sterling which effected his form, if anyone should take the blame for England's downfall it's Roy Hodgson and you guilty as sin and nasty piece of work England fans.

What Hodgson was doing picking an over the hill Wayne Rooney and playing him out of position says it all, just because United can't move on and end up playing the over hyped player in midfield, doesn't mean England can or should. It's not like England are short of Midfield options, this just shows Hodgson was in over his head. Not to mention the fact Rooney's United have failed to qualify for the Champions League the past few seasons, Choosing to play Gary Cahill who plays for Chelsea, a club who had failed miserably last season and ended up 10th in the Premier League. Chris Smalling also from United. it just goes to highlight how England are suffering from a lack of Center Backs that all we have to turn too is Cahill and Smalling.

Both defenders offering nothing in the way of protection, I strongly believe that it doesn't matter which Goalkeeper is behind the sticks for England. With the weak defence England have, God help any Goalkeeper who takes over from Joe Hart. England don't deserve Joe Hart and if I had my way, I'd convince Joe to quit International and concentrate on his domestic career.

Raheem Sterling has endured Liverpool fans attacking him and his family, he's had to endure England fans attacking him and now he's even been attacked and questioned by a section of Manchester City fans.

Well if you want someone to blame, look closer to home and take a look in the mirror scumbags.

If you are not one of those who have attacked England, Hart and Sterling then I commend you, you were clearly raised with morals and values, respect and common sense.

I commend Iceland for wanting the win more than we did, they battled hard for ever loose ball and gave their all. Just a shame our players couldn't offer the same amount of fight and commitment.

The rest of England's squad need to stand up and take their share of the blame, I doubt they will though as they are not man enough to do so in my opinion.

Benjamin Garre confirms Manchester City are his preferred Destination, not Trafford or Barcelona.

Benjamin Garre will be joining Manchester City from Argentine Primera Division Velez Sarsfield, Manchester City are reported to have beaten FC Barcelona and Snubchester United to his signature. The 15 year old will join the City Football Academy after admitting on his Facebook page.

"I'm going after a dream, to one of the best academies in the world, with the conviction that my football will develop". "That a club like Manchester City is interested in me makes me proud and while I understand that some may see it as wrong, it is a challenge I have to take, thinking of my career."

I can only presume he's referring to Velez Sarsfield and their fans, he spent time training at Carrington with United in 2014 but Garre decided to not join United. FC Barcelona were also reported to have been after the lad.

He also spoke to Argentinian Radio station La Pelota al 10 saying:

"I won't let this opportunity with City pass. Every player dreams of it. It's a gift from God. Going to Manchester City was a great opportunity. I decided with my Family it was the best place to go."

He was born January 1st 2000, is a right footed Attacking Midfielder, Orgulloso.es claim the lad has a strong physique which is unusual at such a young age and has good ball control. Being at a young age there isn't much information about him outside of Velez Sarsfield.

Benjamin is the Grandson of Oscar Alfredo Garre, an Argentine Legend and Defender who won the 1986 World Cup.

Benjamin Garre wore the No10 shirt for Velez Sarsfield

Who is Joey Barton to judge Raheem Sterling? I'll tell you exactly who Barton is.

Who is Joey Barton?

Joey Barton is a jealous loser and a sore one at that who doesn't like Manchester City and will jump at any chance to have a dig.

Joey Barton was so good that not even Everton or Liverpool could bare to hold onto him, shunned by his own City of birth on both sides of the divide. So Manchester City took him in, gave him his chance at the big time and he couldn't even pull that off. He turned out to be nothing but a Bully and Journeyman.

He's best known for hacking down players and sparking brawls on the playing field, stubbing cigars as a senior player into eyes of youth academy players. Running people over and breaking their legs, assaulting a 15 year old football supporter. He's been arrested for assault and criminal damage, was given a four month suspended sentence for admitting assault with actual bodily harm on a fellow squad member and performed 200 hours of community service. The FA charged Barton with violent conduct more than 3 times, has a habit of punching and headbutting players. This was effectively the end of his career at Manchester City.

He went on to commit many more infringements and has collected many more red cards, I doubt that's about to stop either after signing for Glasgow Rangers. He will at some point face our young Patrick Roberts, I can only hope someone warns the lad of this nasty piece of work.

So who is Joey Barton to judge our Raheem Sterling, Sterling is 10 times the player and man that Joey Barton is. 1 international cap Barton says it all, this all seems very well timed as far Barton's concerned. Bitter that Manchester City gave up on him? He's showed his blatant disrespect for Manchester City in 2012 when he lashed out at Carlos Tevez and followed up with raking his studs down the back of Sergio Agueros leg resulting in being sent off, but he didn't stop there as he attempted to head butt Vincent Kompany.

I'm not going to repeat what Barton said about Sterling recently, as I don't believe he deserves his tripe being published here. I'll leave that for you to decide whether or not you want to Google his latest rant.

What I will say though is, Joey Bartons opinion is irrelevant. Doesn't matter what he thinks, all he is is a bitter and poor excuse for a footballer and human being.

So Joey Barton, if you read this, know that there are plenty of us out there who despise people like you, we disregard your opinion because it's hollow and without foundation. English football is much better off without players like you, may that last forever.

Lack of defensive transfer news is positive, England's Boo Brigade are a disgrace to their country.

The lack of defencive transfer target news would have worried me over the last few years but, today it represents a move forward for Manchester City FC. It shows we're not rushing in and making rash signings anymore, it means we're not going to necessarily sign a player early only for them to come back from a tournament with an injury. It means our club are forward thinking and are willing to take our time, not be pulled into a transfer bidding war or panic buy.

I'd have to say that's down to Guardiola's influence without any doubt, from what we understand of him now, he's not the type to tolerate someone like Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich dictating who a club buys and sells. I'm not convinced that Pellegrini had much influence in transfer targets himself, I think he relied on scouts and other club employee's to get him what he needed.

I'm not convinced either that Mangala or Otamendi were of Manuel Pellegrini's choosing, my belief is that he sanctioned their signings but had little in scouting them. As much as it pains me to say, the likes of Alex Ferguson and great coaches before him actually knew how to spot real talent. This is one reason why I think Pep Guardiola is currently the best Coach in Europe if not the world, he has the experience of working at all levels from youth to senior professional Football. Something the likes of Jose Mourinho lacks, there's only one Coach with European pedigree who could take us to another level and that was, is Josep Guardiola Sala.

England's boo brigade are an utter disgrace to English football, those minority who have attacked Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling are more than likely a majority of Liverpool and Man United fans, with the odd fan or two from the ranks Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Southampton's fan bases. All have the agenda of wanting their players picked for England's first eleven over Hart and Sterling.

Too stupid to realise their bias idiocy is causing England more harm than good, along with the British Media they have destroyed Raheem Sterling's confidence. It's rather pathetic that Pundits like Thierry Henry and Steve McManaman have taken this long to come out in defence of Sterling, an almost empty gesture on the Media's part. It's like shouting at an empty stadium after the act has been committed and the culprits are gone, even Jamie Carragher tried to act unbiased by talking about how Sterling needs to get his confidence back after he unjustly judged the lad.

Even some Manchester City fans are claiming that Sterling has had a bad season? FOR REAL? are you freaking serious?

In his last season for Liverpool he scored 11 goals and created 10 assists, in his FIRST season for Manchester City he scored 11 goals and created 10 assists. He did that in 5 less games while moving to an entire new alien City, while being hounded by the British Media and lynch mobbed by Liverpool fans. Experiencing his Girlfriend and Daughter being threatened and abused by Liverpool fans on Social Media, all at a young age. And now he's got England fans making him a scapegoat out of bitterness and jealousy.

Raheem Sterling is a success, maybe not a spectacular season, maybe not world class but, he's far from a waste of money or a failure.

English Football may have stamped out Racism but it still has it's fair share of problems.

Segregation, one reason why England will never win a World Cup or European Championship any time soon

It's depressing watching your fellow countrymen and women round on certain England Internationals at every possible chance they get, we all know it's nothing to do with one bad performance or one mistake. We all know it's about opposing fans wanting their players playing for England, rather than players of clubs they hate. This English football fan mentality is what's wrong with English International football, when you're supporting your country you're supposed to put your differences aside and support whoever it is that represents the Country. But no some, I say some but not all are so bitter and hateful, that they're incapable of understanding that their actions have consequences.

I recently published an article on how Sterling has been treated by England fans since leaving Liverpool and signing for Manchester City. I strongly believe there's a considerable amount of England fans hell bent on causing Raheem Sterling enough grief to negatively affect his game and mental well being. Sterling's still a young lad is vulnerable and these England fans just don't care, so who's going to stand up for the lad aye?

As of yet no ones defended the lad accept a few of us City fans, the British Media have strung him up and lash him at every chance they get. I can only imagine how that feels for the lad, especially after he was lynched by Liverpool fans. I'm a father and I have to say, if anyone threatened my Son like Liverpool fans did his Daughter, I'd be more than upset. For those fans to continue attacking Sterling is just wrong, what's to say the treatment he's getting isn't part of the reason for his performances for England or lack of.

It's all well and good having an opinion but, when it comes to constantly targeting someone. It's no longer an opinion but an obsession and an unhealthy one at that, especially when it's constantly negative and without good reason. I'm not trying to change the world, I'm well aware the world will never be without, hate, racism or prejudice. If I can just make one person see the error of their ways then great.

Every England fan should be behind England no matter who is representing the country, the fact these lost souls chose to attack Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart rather than enjoy the fact England drew one and won one. This proves that there are still deep issues within the English fan base despite wiping out Racism within English Football, segregation is still very much alive and kicking.

England can not succeed without every ones support, when you single out people it only causes problems. Not just for the player being targeted but also for the players around him. Those who witness and wonder whether or not they will the be next to be put on the chopping block or hung from the rafters. Players will claim they don't let it bother or affect them but, that isn't the case as they are human just like us, have feelings and we can only take so much before we say enough is enough

I'm not a huge fan of Roy Hodgson but he has my respect for sticking with Sterling.

A Tough December For Manchester City, Nolito Rumour Just Doesn't Add Up?

The Premier League fixtures are out and it looks like we have a pretty balanced season until we hit December, meeting Chelsea on the 3rd followed by Leicester City on the 10th, Watford 4 days later on the 14th, 3 days after Watford on the 14th, we play Arsenal on the 17th, Hull city on the 26th and finally Liverpool on the 31st. Other than December the only other tough run is sandwiched between March and April so Pep Guardiola shouldn't have a problem hitting the ground running. Over the last few days we've been linked with Spanish International Nolito currently on International duty with David Silva, two Spanish Journalists Manu Carreño and Quim Domènech Puigbó released statements that Manchester City want to sign the 29 year old Winger. When questioned about the speculation Nolito declared he knew nothing of the interest from Manchester City, that he's only concentrating on Euro 2016. It remains to be seen whether or not this is just another no story but looking at the facts, I just don't see it happening.

The first problem is he's 29 and Manchester City already have enough senior players in our ranks. Next is his transfer fee, Mundo Deportivo are saying Manchester City's offering him a 4 year contract and the release clause from Celta de Vigo is around £14 million. Now 3 and half million per year seems reasonable but, he's 29 and I I just don't see us getting 4 good years out of him. In our clubs experience very few players produce consistently after the age of 31, we could probably count on two hands how many have for us. He's a late bloomer and that also sounds the bell, when we already have a young proven goal scorer in our ranks in Kelechi Iheanacho. I just don't see us signing Nolito, especially considering we are apparently signing Leroy Sane who also can play on both flanks. It makes more sense that we sign younger rather than older. On that note Nolito would be an upgrade on Jesus Navas but, not enough of an upgrade for £14 million so Leroy Sane is definitely the signing for us.

Athletic Bilbao Tweets Suspicious Laporte Announcement?

Athletic Bilbao announced today that Aymeric Laporte has signed a new contract but that is not what I found suspicious, what I find suspect is that they announced the fee of his new buyout close as well. Why would they do that? there's obviously an intention behind it and I suspect a greedy intention at that. Call me paranoid but I smell a rat and I don't mean the smell coming from Trafford, Athletic were not in any rush to offer Aymeric a new deal before the transfer window opened or before Manchester City showed their hand.

 I believe as soon as Athletic Bilbao witnessed Manchester City were serious, they decided to get Aymeric Laporte to sign a new deal so that if they sold him they would be getting over the odds but. If they fail to make a sale then they equally get to keep a good defender so it's win win for them. On that note and if true then I want Manchester City to walk away, Aymeric Laporte isn't worth £70 million and the time of City paying over the odds should be long gone.

.@Laporte ha prolongado su contrato con el Athletic Club hasta 2020. Su cláusula irá ascendiendo hasta los 70M. pic.twitter.com/JCdSBTedlX

— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) June 13, 2016

You can keep him for £70 Million

Sport ES's Gerard Romero Claims Manchester City Have Signed Leroy Sane?

Sport Espania's Gerard Romero has broke the news that Manchester City have completed signing of  German International Leroy Sane from German club Shalke 04 after Euro 2016

Of course until we hear it from an official source aka Manchester City, Shalke, the player himself or his representatives, then it's just talking heads.

But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a bit of Leroy Sane on Youtube right?

Slow Messi, The Legend Who Turned City Into European Heavyweights

Slow Messi as Mario Balotelli describes him, David Silva has almost won it all. Merlin is the proud owner of the Charity Shield, Capital One Cup, FA Cup, 2 Premier League title medals, 1 World Cup medal and what could be his 3rd European Championship medal if Spain can go on to win this years European Championship.

Silva as far as I'm concerns is up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the only difference is he's chosen to really make history. Rather than be surrounded by an entire squad of World Cup winners or players at the top of their game, that's not taking anything away from my club City. And this isn't the first time this has happened to City, before David Silva there was Georgi Kinkladze. We all know David Silva could have walked straight into Barcelona or Real Madrid, but he didn't not once push for a move.

Without Silva Manchester City may well have never risen as quickly as we have back to the summit of English football, recently he's been the target for Arsenal fans and the British Media. Used as a bench mark for judge other players, but Arsenal fans always have to go one further and claim their beloved Ozil's a better player. Yeah ok the lad may have won the World Cup recently and been in a team of already world class stars as a passenger, but he's got nothing on David Silva.

Merlin is about to be confirmed as one of Spain's greatest ever players, when he walks out at the Stadium De Toulouse against the Czech Republic in what will be his 100th Cap for La Roja. This is one game I'm never going to miss, despite being an Englishman. Arsenal fans are painting it was City Vs Arsenal due to Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky, got to love those funny little Gooners as I think they've forgotten that they have 3 Spanish Internationals at their club also.

If there's two things I hope for out of football right now, it's for Spain to defeat the Czech Republic at 2pm today for Silva, and for Pep Guardiola to lead Silva and Manchester City to the Champions League trophy. This is exactly why I wanted Pellegrini sacked last season and Guardiola in, because we have players who deserve a Champions League winners medal in Joe Hart, Vinny Kompany, Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva. They have done so much for Manchester City so it's the least they deserve, for the service they have given to date. I will be gutted if Zabaleta moves on before we win the Champions League, I say before because I believes it's only a matter of time.

I also have to add David Silva is 16 appearances away from having played 200 matches for Manchester City, so this season is a huge season for our Wizard Merlin. Will you be watching the game and cheering on Silva?

Kickoff at 2pm

Pellegrini And His Playing Staffs Fault, Not Guardiola's, Thank You Manuel For Everything.

Long before Manuel Pellegrini signed for Manchester, I and many other Manchester fans knew that it was only a matter of time before we got our man Pep Guardiola from the moment we first attempted to sign him. Manuel Pellegrini knew before he even signed for Manchester, that he was only a short term solution. But Manuel Pellegrini comes across as if he thinks it's now none of his fault that Manchester had a not as successful season as was expected, I say that with heavy weight as we did reach the Champions League semi finals for the first time. But our season could have been a catastrophic failure had Swansea City made more of an effort. Too put things into perspective our unwelcome neighbours in Trafford (not Manchester) aka McDonaldster United stand to lose around £125+ million for not qualifying for the Champions League and will have probable issues in player recruitment next season, a small parting gift for Manchester fans from Pellegrini, after he chose to prioritise the Champions League over the Premier League and almost blew it.

But truth be told it was Manuel Pellegrini who was guilty for broadcasting the premature arrival of Pep Guardiola, he wasn't happy with the speculation around his camp and freely admitted as much himself live to the World in this video here.

Manchester City Odds on hityah

It's a little cheeky that he now comes out and admits that the announcement negatively affected City's season but, then call this season successful. When he almost blew a Champions League place in the league, then allowed his players to not even turn up against Real Madrid in the semi finals which I might add was a tad embarrassing. He stopped short of admitting it was his fault, in turn allowing the media to use the announcement as a goal post with which to bounce Pep Guardiola's head off of as if it's all Peps fault. Manuel Pellegrini could have signed off with my respect but now I feel short changed after the faith I put into him when he arrived, supporting his arrival against my die hard City supporting Aunt who was upset Mancini got shipped out. I myself always knew Bobby Manc and the Charming Man were short term, but they gave a lot too our club so I appreciate what they have done for Manchester, they have my thanks but. They both left, leave after an average season. That's kind of tough to say considering I've been around supporting Manchester for 30 odd years, Manuel Pellegrini is right about our season being successful if you compare it to our past but. We are no longer the Manchester of old and our targets are no longer relegation survival.

Some of the football world are bitter and angry about Pep Guardiola signing for Manchester City, even more so Arsenal, McDonaldster United and Chelsea fans. Even Liverpool fans would have joined their ranks had they not found themselves a lovable Coach and had a reasonably successful season in terms of steadying the ship. That will make for a much better outcome for us when we and Guardiola succeed at the expense of their objection and bitterness, their hate for us equates to success. Even Uefa posture against us being forced to watch on as we brush aside their poxy FFP designed to protect the status quo in Europe. It's been well documented from, Racism in Russia being rewarded and City fans suffering as a result, from our club being robbed and Racism being again rewarded, to our club being punished at every chance they get, keep Boo'ing their Anthem City fans. It's sad times for Football as a whole, with FIFA replacing one corrupt dictator for another who are now going backwards again.

I'm so glad the seasons over and we can look forward to enjoying the summer and next season under Pep, he knows with Manchester that he has the opportunity to rewrite the record books as the greatest ever manager in the world. He has the opportunity to put the likes of Alex Ferguson in his shadow, whether he takes that opportunity by the scruff of the neck is anyone's guess.

A bright new era in the history of Manchester is about to unfold, the City has it's club back and can look forward. We have a great owner who won't lumber us with debt, a sustainable future for our club. Some extremely talented senior and youth players, who will be supported by new arrivals to help them take the next step in becoming European Champions. We have the best academy in Great Britain, only Chelsea can come close to rivalling us but then again they had a head start over us.

So despite the OK season we can't look upon it as a disaster as Pellegrini has said but, I think he's a little in denial of the fact we have flat lined since his first season in charge. Our semi final success was tarnished by our players not turning up, if Joe Hart doesn't get player of the season then it's a joke because he's been our best player over the season as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks to the Ginger Whinger Paul Scholes for the recent giggle, claiming Guardiola wouldn't sign for us had to asked him today. That has to go down as the most bitter comment ever made by a rag and ex United employee, so absolutely hilarious my jaw hurt upon reading it.

On that note I would like on behalf of Manchester fans everywhere, to thank Manuel Pellegrini and his coaching staff for everything they have done for our club. Their work should be praised and not forgotten. Despite the outcome they deserve a lot of respect, I wish them all the best for the future and hope they are rewarded for their success at Manchester City FC.