Mancity - News and Rumors

[zudomiriku]

Vincent Kompany Provides Manuel Pellegrini with a Boost Ahead of Chelsea Test



According to the Manchester Evening News, City captain Vincent Kompany will return to the squad for this weekend’s fixture with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. After sustaining a thigh injury in the 3-1 home win against Everton before the international break, the defender has once again made a swift return.

Pellegrini is quoted as saying:

Now we will start thinking about the next match against Chelsea. It’s a very tough game, but we don’t have any problems with the squad.

Vincent Kompany and all of the other players are fit, so we are in a good shape.

There could hardly be better news for City.

This is undoubtedly Pellegrini’s toughest league game yet. Some may argue the derby was a more difficult obstacle given the fervor surrounding that particular fixture, but it’s clear United are struggling to play their best football so far this season. Much like City, Chelsea are just beginning to hit their best form, and look like genuine title contenders.

With Oscar playing some breathtaking football, they have one of the best young attacking midfielders in world football, and Jose Mourinho’s vision of how he wants his Chelsea side to play is coming to fruition.

Since the international break, City have enjoyed two away wins, but both were blighted by some indecisive defending. Wednesday’s match in Moscow—which saw City beat CSKA 2-1—should have been more comfortable, but with Javi Garcia—a makeshift centre-half who lacks pace—struggling to impose himself, it left City vulnerable. Indeed, they were nearly caught out a few times towards the end of the game.

When Kompany plays, it’s a different story. He organises the defence superbly, bringing the best out of those around him, particularly Matija Nastasic, a player with endless potential but who still needs guidance due to his relative inexperience.

It's not an exaggeration to say City look a different side with Kompany at the back. They're more solid, disciplined and proactive defensively, which gives the rest of the team confidence. He plays a huge role.



Any side in the world would miss Kompany—he's one of the best defenders in Europe—but City do appear to be disproportionately affected by his absence. During City's title-winning season in 2011/12, United went without Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand for large parts of the season and coped far better than City do without Kompany. It's becoming a worry, especially as Kompany is now justifiably bracketed as injury-prone.

For now, though, City are boosted. Their captain and leader is back just in time for their biggest test of this Premier League season so far.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1824194-vincent-kompany-provides-manuel-pellegrini-with-a-boost-ahead-of-chelsea-test

[zudomiriku]

Should Manchester City Prioritise the Premier League over the Champions League?



Manchester City’s qualification from the group stage of the Champions League was confirmed with a 5-2 win over CSKA Moscow at the Etihad. After two years of failed attempts to make it to the last 16, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have finally ended the hoodoo that had haunted and frustrated them for so long.

With three wins from four, City remain in contention to win Group D. If Bayern and City win their next matches (against CSKA away and Plzen at home, respectively), and City then better the 3-1 win the Germans managed in Manchester when the two sides meet for the final game in Munich, it is they who will progress as group winners.

It seems highly unlikely given Bayern’s quality, but not impossible. According to Pellegrini, his side are going to go for it:

"We are going to try and be first in the group. We have to decide the group in Munich against Bayern."

Which begs the question: Is it wise for City to go for top spot, or should they rotate and rest players now that their place in the knockout phase is assured?



Finishing top brings the obvious advantage of avoiding Europe's elite teams in the round of 16. Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona look likely to finish first in their respective groups, and they would all pose a huge threat to City in the next round.

It seems logical, therefore, to go full throttle in the Champions League and try and win Group D outright, even if the chances of toppling Bayern seem remote, however, with some tough domestic games over the coming weeks, they may prefer to prioritise the Premier League.

City’s fixtures between now and December 14 are as follows:

November
Sun. 10 Sunderland (a)
Sun. 24 Tottenham (h)
Wed. 27 Viktoria Plzen (h)

December
Sun. 1 Swansea City (h)
Wed. 4 West Brom (a)
Sat. 7 Southampton (a)
Tue. 10 Bayern Munich (a)
Sat 14 Arsenal (h)

They host Tottenham just three days before the next Champions League tie with Plzen and that match must surely take priority. Tottenham are one City's main challengers in the league and a win against them at home is crucial.

City are expected to beat Plzen, regardless of the team Pellegrini picks. They have an excellent squad, and with the likes of James Milner, Micah Richards and Jesus Navas looking for chances to impress, the manager can afford to rotate against the Czech side, especially given how poor they've looked in the competition thus far.

That would then allow City to take on Swansea four days later with their big players well-rested, giving them the best possible chance of taking maximum points. It's a difficult week but negotiable nonetheless.

The matches either side of the Bayern game, however, pose even greater dangers.

The Saturday before the match in Bavaria sees them travel to Southampton—currently level on points with City and playing some fabulous football—for what will be a very difficult match. City lost 3-1 at St Mary's last season, severely damaging their title chances, and they will be keen to avoid a similar fate this year.

Four days after meeting Bayern, City are at home to Arsenal—the current league leaders, and a side playing with freedom and confidence. They look solid defensively for the first time in years, and in Mesut Ozil they have one of the finest players in world football.

The Gunners are currently six points ahead of City with over a quarter of the campaign gone, and Pellegrini knows that deficit has to be reduced soon. It's a game that stands out as the most important City have over the next few weeks, and making sure the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure are fit for that one is surely a priority.

Given how unlikely it is City will overhaul Bayern, and with vital league games coming up, they may feel it's best to concentrate of regaining ground in the race for the title.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1840560-should-manchester-city-prioritise-the-premier-league-over-the-champions-league

City masih belum 'menentukan' neh mo fokus dimana, perjalanan di EPL masih panjang, di UCL sudah lolos ke fase berikutnya, catatan yg membaik mengingat di 2 musim sebelumnya selalu gagal melaju ke fase berikutnya. perjalanan City musim ini banyak bergantung pada Aguero yg menjadi top skor & top assist sementara di EPL, ditambah Negredo yg mulai nyetel sbg tandem Aguero. jika salah satu cedera masih ada Dzeko. apalagi di lini tengah, City punya banyak pemain yg mumpuni. dikala Silva cedera masih ada Nasri yg bisa menggantikan peran playmaker. 'kelemahan' City saat ini mungkin penampilan Hart yg lagi menurun krn belakangan sering melakukan kesalahan, ditambah kondisi Kompany yg cedera. selama Aguero, Negredo, Silva, Yaya Toure dalam kondisi sepertinya City bisa melaju lebih jauh di UCL.

[troy andreas]

Phil Bardsley!

[Redsbusby]

Wes Brown dan Phil Bardsley ga pernah lupa kalo doi emang seorang REDS. Assisted and scored by reds!

[zudomiriku]

City suffer fresh away-day loss at Sunderland

Manuel Pellegrini saw Manchester City's troubles on the road continue as they slid to a surprise 1-0 defeat at struggling Sunderland on Sunday, their fourth reverse in six Premier League away games this season.

SUNDERLAND: Manuel Pellegrini saw Manchester City's troubles on the road continue as they slid to a surprise 1-0 defeat at struggling Sunderland on Sunday, their fourth reverse in six Premier League away games this season.

A first-half winner from former Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley underlined the stark contrast in fortunes enjoyed by City this term.

They boast a 100 per cent record from their five home games, but have now taken just four points from a possible 18 on their travels, with Sunday's loss meaning they missed an opportunity to climb into the top three.

In-form forward Sergio Aguero drew a first blank in seven games, but the Argentinian was not alone among those in blue to experience a day to forget, as Sunderland deservedly earned a victory to pull within three points of safety.

It was only their second league win of the season, but their third in four games in all competitions as they continue to show signs of life under new coach Gus Poyet.

City have now lost by the only goal on their last four visits to Wearside, with Sunderland's winner on Sunday coming in the 21st minute.

Wes Brown's searching ball from the back met the run of Bardsley, and when the full-back brushed-off the challenge of James Milner he was left with time and space to break the deadlock from a narrow angle with a composed finish into the bottom corner past Costel Pantilimon, again preferred by City manager Pellegrini to England's Joe Hart.

After scoring in the midweek League Cup victory over Southampton, it was the first time in his 10-year career the Scotland international had found the net in back-to-back domestic games.

In addition to his valuable goal assist, Brown, in his first Premier League start for almost two years thanks to an injury-plagued spell since joining from Manchester United in 2011, added a calming influence so often lacking at the back for Sunderland this season.

Nevertheless, City still squandered several good chances, notably before half-time when Aguero, with nine goals in his previous six outings, met an Aleksandar Kolarov cross unmarked at the far post, only to head wide from inside the six-yard box.

In the second half, Aguero dispossessed John O'Shea before advancing into the area to cut-back for Kolarov, who looked certain to level from fewer than 12 yards until Bardsley underlined his value at both ends with a goal-line block as the Black Cats shut-out a side that had scored 12 goals in its previous two games.

Sunderland benefited from some eye-catching service from both flanks, and from one such centre from the Swedish midfielder Seb Larsson, Steven Fletcher, the Scot preferred to Jozy Altidore as a lone forward, should have done better with a header.

To their credit, Sunderland refused to sit back in an attempt to defend their lead, and Ki Sung Yueng fired just wide after bursting forward from midfield to try his luck from the edge of the area.

Vito Mannone cemented a fully merited clean sheet on his full Sunderland league debut thanks to a fine save low to his left late on from Aguero.

Substitute Edin Dzeko headed wide from a corner at the death, and when Kolarov raked the side-netting from distance, Sunderland, roared on by a vociferous 40,000 Stadium of Light crowd, had deservedly hung on for a crucial win which could have repercussions at both ends of the table come May.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-city-suffer/881910.html

[zudomiriku]

Micah Richards Reportedly Lined Up for Transfer from Manchester City to Arsenal



Having fallen behind Pablo Zabaleta in the pecking order at Manchester City over the last few seasons, Micah Richards is set to be offered an escape route back into first-team football by Arsenal.

From Gary Jones of the Daily Star:

City’s £10m-rated England international is again being eyed by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger as a potential replacement for Bacary Sagna, who is is out of contract at the end of the season and is being lined up to join French club PSG.

A bid for the English defender would add depth and versatility to Wenger's squad, with Richards able to play at right-back or in central defence.

Arsenal have already suffered several injury setbacks in defence this term, losing Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs and Per Mertesacker at different stages of the campaign.

Having watched the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling prop up Manchester United's title aspirations in the middle of defence and out wide, Wenger will be well aware of the value of a utility man such as Richards.

The City defender's more physical approach to defending would be a welcome addition alongside the ball-playing figures of Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Gibbs.

Arsenal were undone by a corner in their recent loss to Manchester United, which took advantage of the clear gulf in size between the two sides.

However, as Jones explains, Arsenal could face issues persuading the player to leave City. Richards is out of contract at the end of next season but recently revealed he wants a long-term stay at the Etihad.

With Manuel Pellegrini's reign at the Etihad still in its embryonic stages, Richards may feel he can risk waiting a little while longer to try to force his way into the Chilean's plans, especially if Arsenal's title challenge begins to fade.

It's vital that the Gunners maintain their momentum should they wish to sign quality reinforcements in January. A trophy drought of eight years and counting is not the most appealing prospect for prospective signings, particularly if they are faced with the dilemma of leaving a fellow title-chasing club to move to North London.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1848645-micah-richards-reportedly-lined-up-for-transfer-from-manchester-city-to-arsenal#

[zudomiriku]

Manchester City Transfer Move for Julio Cesar Makes Sense in the Short Term



With Manchester City still facing a rather uncertain goalkeeper situation, Manuel Pellegrini and Txiki Begiristain will no doubt be monitoring possible January signings.

Joe Hart has been dropped because of his poor run of form (although the manager has intimated he will return at some stage), while Costel Pantilimon, his replacement, is far from the ideal solution. It's an area that needs addressing.

City have two options: Either they can look to replace Hart with a goalkeeper of the highest quality, such as Iker Casillas or Victor Valdes, a move which could quite possibly signal the end of Hart's City career, or they can seek a temporary answer—someone who, in the short term, can push Hart more than Pantilimon.

If the second option is preferable, then City should look no further than Julio Cesar, the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper, who is available on a free transfer in January after falling behind Rob Green in the pecking order.

According to the Fulham Chronicle, (via David Wright of the Daily Star), QPR manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that Cesar can leave for nothing as he looks to secure first-team football at club level in order to cement his position as the Brazil goalkeeper ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Redknapp said:

We wouldn't stand in Julio's way and we aren't asking a fee for him. He needs to play and he could play anywhere for any team. He's just been unlucky.

Rob's been fantastic and I can't take him out of the team.

However, Julio's a great guy, and he needs to play soon, so he can play in the World Cup.

It's a deal that would make a lot of sense for City.

The form Hart showed between 2009-2012 makes many people believe he is suffering from a severe confidence crisis that, if overcome, would see him once again take his place as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. If, indeed, that is the case, and it's a logical assumption to make, then a move for a player like Cesar could really suit City.

Cesar could come in on an 18-month deal and offer real competition to the England stopper—something he has lacked at club and international level for some time. Cesar is an excellent goalkeeper who, during his seven-year spell at Inter Milan, carved a reputation as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world.

At 34, he surely has a few more years left at the top, and Hart would learn a lot from a player with so much experience at one of Europe's top teams. His 77 caps for Brazil are also a testament to his ability to handle playing for big sides.

If City's technical staff decide to keep faith with Hart in the long term, then a move for Cesar in January would make a lot of sense.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1858900-manchester-city-transfer-move-for-julio-cesar-makes-sense-in-the-short-term

[zudomiriku]

Scouting Manchester City Transfer Target Iker Caslillas



Manchester City’s goalkeeper situation is rather precarious at the moment. Joe Hart, once the first name on the teamsheet and widely seen as one of the finest young goalkeepers in Europe, has been dropped after an incredible loss of form over the past 12 months, and his replacement, Costel Pantilimon, has failed to fully convince.

It’s highly likely, given their aspirations, that the club are lining up a move for a goalkeeper, either in January or the summer.

Speaking on Sky’s Revista de la Liga programme earlier this week, my Bleacher Report colleague Guillem Balague spoke at length about Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas—a world-class 'keeper currently marginalised at Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti.

Casillas was dropped by Jose Mourinho last season and replaced by Diego Lopez, who remains their undisputed No. 1, leaving Casillas, one of the finest goalkeepers ever to play the game, in the bizarre situation of only starting Champions League games. He's yet to play in La Liga at all this season.

Balague believes Casillas is becoming increasingly disillusioned with life at Madrid and could seek a move away, with City known to be interested.

He said:

Manchester City definitely want Iker Casillas for next season. He's known about it for a while, but they are not the only team that are after Iker Casillas.

It will be up to him what he does next, obviously. But if he continues to not play, and he won't unless Diego Lopez gets injured, then he wants to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.

He's had enough and he's imagining the possibility of playing abroad. Although he loves the Premier League, maybe it doesn't suit his game as much as the Italian league or the German league.

But he's going to have offers and if he continues like this, he will leave Real Madrid.

Casillas is one of the best goalkeepers in world football, so it's hardly surprising City have made their interest known given Hart's woes. There's barely a flaw in Casillas' game, with his distribution, handling and shot-stopping all second-to-none.

He has over 150 caps for Spain, has won the World Cup, two European Championships, two Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles. It's a remarkable record for a man who made his Real Madrid debut in 1999 as an 18-year-old and who became the youngest ever goalkeeper to play in a Champions League final aged 19.

But if Joe Hart can return to form, do City need him?

It would make sense from City's perspective to sign Julio Cesar on a six-month contract in January, before making a long-term assessment about Hart's future at the end of the season.

As per the Daily Star, Cesar is available on a free transfer from Queens Park Rangers, and he has a point to prove ahead of this summer's World Cup where he wants to be Brazil's No. 1. His presence would strengthen City for the rest of this season and may help Hart rediscover his best.

It's a move which would give City time to consider the future of Hart and if come the end of the season the club feel he is unlikely to recover his form of old, then a move for Casillas, or a player of that ilk, would be sensible.

Casillas may be 32, but he has the ability to go on for a number of years yet.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1869505-scouting-manchester-city-transfer-target-iker-caslillas

[zudomiriku]

Man City Should Jump at Napoli's £10 Million Transfer Offer for Javi Garcia



According to a report in The Sun, Napoli are set to launch a bid for Manchester City midfielder Javi Garcia in January. Rafael Benitez is said to have sent scouts to watch Garcia in action against Chelsea in October, and they were suitably impressed, with a £10 million bid now being lined up.

It’s a move that would make sense for City given that Garcia has failed to nail down a first-team spot since his move from Benfica 15 months ago. He’s often appeared to struggle with the pace of the English game, unable to influence matches in the way he’d like.

A move to Serie A, where the pace is less important than in the Premier League, may be just what he needs. He is very capable tactically and can read the game well, and his qualities would be better suited to the Italian style of play.

Indeed, in the 4-2 win over Viktoria Plzen, a side that were patient as opposed to quick, he looked comfortable, managing to get his passing game going to good effect. But performances where he has looked impressive have been too few and far between since his arrival at the Etihad.



City paid Benfica £16 million for him, via Phil McNulty of BBC Sport, and the opportunity to recoup a decent proportion of that must surely appeal to Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, the club’s chief executive and the sporting director.

Garcia was signed by Roberto Mancini as part of his last-minute trolley dash around Europe in the summer of 2012. Having just won the title, Mancini wanted to kick on and establish City as the best side in England, but Brian Marwood’s poor performance in his role as football administrator meant they lost out on a host of big-name signings, including Javi Martinez, via John Edwards of the Daily Mail Online, who signed for Bayern Munich.

A late splurge of frenzied transfer activity saw City sign five new players on the final day, many of whom failed to work out. Garcia was identified as an upgrade on the two-dimensional Nigel de Jong, an out-and-out defensive midfielder, who excelled at breaking up opposition attacks but struggled with anything more expansive; he had left for AC Milan.

However, Garcia has proven to be far less effective defensively than de Jong and not much better in an attacking sense, either. There are too many limitations to his game.

This season, he's filled in for Vincent Kompany at centre-back, and after some initial concerns, he has risen to the challenge of playing in an unfamiliar position and performed admirably but never really looked fully comfortable there, either.

It's a move that simply hasn't worked out, and a transfer away would appear to suit both City and the player.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1869163-man-city-should-jump-at-napolis-10-million-transfer-offer-for-javi-garcia

[zudomiriku]

City complete swoop for 14-year-old Diaz, dubbed the 'new Messi' (and he's expected to be worth £40m!)

Manchester City have won the battle for Brahim Abdelkader Diaz.

The 14-year-old from Malaga has been dubbed ‘the new Messi’ and Sportsmail revealed in October that City were fighting Barcelona for his signature.

City have paid £300,000 up front for Diaz, with the final deal worth £2.4million depending on what he achieves at the club.


The new Messi? Manchester City have won the battle with Barcelona for the signature of 14-year-old Diaz


Talented: Manchester City hope that Brahim Abdelkader Diaz can in future become a big player for them

Luis Suarez’s agent Pere Guardiola, brother of Pep, has been involved in negotiations about a player who is touted to be worth between £30m-£40m once he develops.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2517141/Manchester-City-complete-swoop-14-year-old-Brahim-Abdelkader-Diaz-dubbed-new-Lionel-Messi.html