Those with Manchester City tickets woke up to astonishing revelations by their boss Pep Guardiola. According to the gaffer, Kevin De Bruyne may be sidelined during Manchester City games when he needs extra bodies in the box.
De Bruyne was benched this week against Tottenham after Guardiola said that Julian Alvarez had been selected as De Bruyne’s replacement specifically for this reason. After Alvarez was inserted into the squad, Erling Haaland received a magnificent assist from veteran De Bruyne to give the Cityzens the lead over the Wolves.
With his 12th league assist of the year, De Bruyne moved even closer to the personal record of 20 assists in one season that he shares with another player. After the game, Guardiola hinted that if necessary, he may sideline De Bruyne again.
After watching Arsenal’s upcoming 12 games, Man City could have to adopt the mentality of 2014 again.
Like Manchester City did in 2021, you can take it home with a few games still to go. You can do that afterward by attaining the title of a centurion, as City did in 2018. As City had to do the previous season, you can win it on the final day. You can even win it with what amounts to the game’s final kick, as City memorably did in 2012. And you can pull it off even if your squad could be better in your division.
As anyone with Manchester City tickets would recall, for their second Premier League championship, City arguably did that in 2014, which may be what they must do in 2013. Liverpool were so excellent in their quest for their first title since 1992, nine years ago. Arsenal is trying to snap a 19-year title drought this year, and City is the only team that can stop them.
With 50 points after 19 games, Arsenal is on pace to match City’s “Centurions” achievement at the halfway stage of the season. They have a game in hand and are five points clear of City, but the top two still need to face off again, including this Friday’s FA Cup match, which will significantly impact how they do in the league.
Pep Guardiola has emphasized that City has experience in the title fight as both a hunter and a hunted, even though all of that experience comes against Liverpool. On the other hand, Arsenal is still an unknown quantity and can only be assessed on what they have demonstrated thus far. As a result, Mikel Arteta’s group is a formidable opponent.
Arsenal’s title defence has continued this week with victories over Tottenham and Manchester United, showing no signs of slowing down. The zeal displayed at the Emirates following the dramatic victory against United was a warning to the rest of the league and themselves. Since an unstoppable Leicester team started winning in 2016, this is their best chance to win the championship. Claudio Ranieri’s and Arteta’s underdog teams today have fundamental similarities.
Additionally, it makes sense to contrast the Arsenal team of 2022–2023 with Brendan Rodgers’ 2014 Liverpool squad. City, Chelsea, and possibly the defending champions Manchester United were all firm favourites to win the title. Still, it appeared that only Liverpool had the stamina to compete after Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and Steven Gerrard had a wild season.
One of the more enjoyable championship victories for those with Manchester City tickets since their first in 2012 was their ability to pounce in the last week. City supporters still sing about Gerrard’s unlucky part in Liverpool’s eventual decline from champions-elect to runners-up. Liverpool was likely the best team in the Premier League that year, but they lacked the right mindset (or studs) when it counted.
In somewhat concerning news for those with Manchester City tickets, The second part of the season’s schedule for City and Arsenal makes it possible that the Blues may need to draw inspiration from 2014 rather than more previous title runs to succeed. Apart from hosting City at the Emirates in three weeks, Arsenal has 10 or 11 relatively easy matches left to put the Blues at bay.
The second matchup with City comes next, followed by a stretch of five games that might be a little trickier. A trip to Newcastle, who might still be contending for a top-four spot that would be within striking distance, comes after a London derby with Chelsea. Then Roberto De Zerbi’s defiant trip to Brighton, followed by a road game against Nottingham Forest, who might require points to stay in the league. The final day had Wolves as the guests.
In the near future, City will play more challenging games, including trips to Tottenham, Newcastle, and rivals Liverpool. A final matchup with Chelsea is troublesome as well.
However, if Arsenal’s schedule allows them to hold onto first place for the next three months or more, City must get ready for a title fight that might be determined in the final few games. They need to be prepared to seize the opportunity, just like they did in 2014, even if Arsenal supporters are preparing their parade route.
Transfer Watch
El Nacional reports that Pep Guardiola is determined to sign Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Borussia Dortmund, to a contract with Manchester City next summer.
According to the claim, Manchester City is prepared to spend $170 million to oust Real Madrid and Liverpool competition and persuade Bellingham to sign with them.
In order to radically overhaul Manchester City’s midfield in time for the upcoming season, Pep Guardiola is reportedly pressuring his side to participate in negotiations to sign 22-year-old World Cup champion and Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in the summer.
According to a rumour from the Danish publication BT, Manchester City has entered the hunt for Ousmane Diomande, the ‘jewel’ of the Danish club FC Midtjylland.
After signing Argentine wonderkid Maxime Perrone earlier this week, City is looking to sign the world’s most gifted young players.
After Sporting Lisbon submitted an $8 million proposal on Monday, representatives from the Etihad held discussions with Midtjylland about the Ivorian defender “several times this week.” Porto, Sevilla, Benfica, Southampton, Arsenal, and Southampton are also pursuing the 19-year-old.
Maximo Perrone, an Argentine midfielder, has been acquired by Manchester City from Velez Sarsfield. Although the two parties involved reached a contract back in December, the transfer’s finer details have only recently been finalized.
Calciomercatoweb said Manchester City is prepared to trade Rafael Leo for full-back Joo Cancelo, sending the latter to AC Milan.
The Portuguese winger, who has been in excellent form for Milan this season with nine goals, as many assists in all competitions, and helped the Rossoneri win the Serie A championship the previous season, is adored by City.
Cancelo has been a fantastic performer for City throughout the years, but Pep Guardiola has only occasionally utilized him since the World Cup. Due to his defensive shortcomings, the team is willing to sell the player. To strengthen their squad, they are looking to sign a natural left-back.
Josh Adam, an 18-year-old midfielder for Manchester City, is reportedly close to joining Ligue 1 team Lorient. As the two teams continue negotiating a new contract, Adam will travel to France this weekend.
The Scotland U21 international moved to City from Celtic in 2020, but Pep Guardiola’s first team has yet to see him play.
According to AS, Manchester City is considering moving to re-sign right-back Pedro Porro, who currently plays for Sporting Lisbon.
Since joining Sporting Lisbon from Manchester City last summer, Porro has impressed, drawing interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Real Madrid, according to reports.
Manchester City have a £15 million buy-back clause in this transfer window, while other teams will need to activate his €45 million release clause to sign him. According to the study, given their defense-related issues, they might consider using this option.
As club football enters its final stretch, there is a strong demand for Manchester City tickets. Official sellers might be a better option, but reputable reseller websites could help you find Man City tickets confidently.
