Manchester City

Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has backed Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne to win the Premier League's Player of the Year award, saying he's a long way ahead of the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson. 

Per MailOnline's David Wood, Redknapp made the comments after the Belgian's starring display in the 2-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday:

"When he's on the pitch he's head and shoulders above anyone else. I didn't think [Bernardo] Silva could be beat, but KDB is taking it to the next level.

"It was like he had a force field around him today―no one was allowed to tackle him. His passes are always so inviting, cutting open defences. 

"It was also what he did without the ball – his all round game right now is on another level. He's not in the team of the year but for me he's the player of the year. The contenders VVD―amazing season, Henderson―big fan, even Mane―but look at KDB's numbers― 20 assists―miles ahead of those around him. He is the best player in the country right now by a mile."

Former City defender Micah Richards also said De Bruyne is the best player in the Premier League but added the award should go to a Liverpool star because of their dominant season.

De Bruyne scored and assisted in the 2-0 win over the Hammers, setting up numerous chances:

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a fine season, putting up some incredible numbers:

Kevin De Bruyne has now been directly involved in 24 Premier League goals this season, his best-ever return in the competition.

⬢ 2016/17: 6 goals, 18 assists
⬢ 2017/18: 8 goals, 16 assists
⬢ 2019/20: 8 goals, 16 assists

And he's done it three times. 😅 pic.twitter.com/ut1apKtlp9

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 19, 2020

His strong play has guided City to second place in the Premier League standings, but the Sky Blues trail the Reds by a record-setting margin. The gap sits at 22 points after 26 matches, with Liverpool winning all but one of their outings.

That incredible run makes it highly likely one of the Reds players will take home the Player of the Year award for the third season in a row. Mohamed Salah took top honours after the 2017-18 campaign, and Van Dijk is the holder.

Both won it despite not playing for the title-winners, but if the Reds finish the season unbeaten and with a lead of more than 20 points to the second-placed side, it's hard to see anyone else claiming the award.

Van Dijk is enjoying another fine season at the back and has been on a phenomenal statistical run since being paired with Joe Gomez:

Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk’s record since being restored as a partnership in the PL on December 14.
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0.
Raul Jiminez the only player to score against Liverpool in the last 990 PL minutes ⚽️ 🔴

— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) February 16, 2020

Mane is the team's second-best scorer in the league after Salah, and Henderson is the leader in midfield. The England international has also been in great form of late:

Jordan Henderson has directly contributed towards five goals in his last four Premier League games:

⚽⚽
🅰🅰🅰

Leading by example. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ayOQdqnqn6

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 15, 2020

The Reds will face their next hurdle on the road to an unbeaten Premier League campaign on Monday, when they take on West Ham. City face third-place Leicester City on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola has said he will stay at Manchester City past the end of the season despite their recent UEFA ban. 

Speaking after the Sky Blues' 2-0 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League on Wednesday, Guardiola confirmed he will continue at the Etihad Stadium:

Pep: "If they don't sack me, I will stay."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 19, 2020

Pep: "I trust my club 100%."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 19, 2020

Last week, City were hit with a two-season ban from European club competition and fined €30 million (£25 million):

Full details of Man City being banned from Champions League for TWO SEASONS for "serious breaches" of UEFA financial rules pic.twitter.com/sYVG5orSRt

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 14, 2020

Per Dan Roan of BBC Sport, City are preparing to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However, in the aftermath of the announcement of City's ban, it was reported Guardiola could leave the Premier League champions at the end of the season, per Marca.

Guardiola's contract at City runs to the end of next season, and the Spaniard has now made it clear he plans to at least honour that deal.

Wednesday's win over West Ham was the Sky Blues' first match since their ban was announced, and the Etihad faithful made their displeasure clear:

Fans now singing "We'll see you in court, we'll see you in court - F*** off Uefa, we'll see you in court!" #MCFC

— Stuart Brennan (@StuartBrennan63) February 19, 2020

The dissent towards UEFA is likely to be even more obvious next week when City return to UEFA Champions League action for the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Guardiola, 49, has broken numerous records with City as they have won back-to-back Premier League titles, but in his three seasons in Manchester, he has failed to lead them past the quarter-finals in Europe's elite competition.

The Champions League already had added significance for the Sky Blues this term given they have all but lost the league title to Liverpool, and there will now be even greater focus on it as it could be their last European campaign until 2022-23. 

Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has denied wrongdoing on the club's behalf after UEFA hit the Premier League side with a two-year ban from European competition on Friday.

Per Rob Harris of the Associated Press, UEFA found City guilty of inflating their sponsorship revenue and said the club did not cooperate with their investigation:

Full details of Man City being banned from Champions League for TWO SEASONS for "serious breaches" of UEFA financial rules pic.twitter.com/sYVG5orSRt

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 14, 2020

Soriano issued a response on Wednesday via City's official website.

MailOnline's Jack Gaughan provided a full transcription of the interview.

"The fans can be sure of two things," Soriano said. "The first one is that the allegations are false. And the second is that we will do everything that can be done to prove so."

The chief executive added that owner Sheikh Mansour has not injected any money into the club "that has not been properly declared."

Per the Guardian's David Conn, leaked emails from City published by German outlet Der Spiegel appeared to show that Mansour's company, Abu Dhabi United Group, paid £59.5 million of Etihad Airways' £67.5 million annual sponsorship deal for the 2015-16 season.

Soriano also said the club did cooperate with the investigation but "in the end, this FFP Investigatory Chamber relied more on out of context stolen emails than all the other evidence we provided of what actually happened."

The Citizens have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport following their two-season ban, which is set to keep them out of Europe from the start of the 2020-21 campaign. Soriano is hoping their appeal will be resolved "before the beginning of the summer."

As for manager Pep Guardiola and the players, he said they are "calm" and "focused."

Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News summarised the interview:

Important that Soriano has spoken, but also from perspective of tonight/matchdays allows players and Guardiola now to just point to this whenever they're asked about it should they wish not to speak about it

— Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) February 19, 2020

The Athletic's Sam Lee gave his take:

So a very bullish response from Soriano (also including a little bit of an olive branch for ‘UEFA’ as a whole, rather than the FFP chamber). Without wanting to be a broken record, City will again have to provide this evidence they say they’ve submitted to UEFA, so we can all see

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) February 19, 2020

City's rivals will also take a keen interest in the progress of the Sky Blues' appeal to CAS.

If the ban is upheld and City finish in the Premier League's top four—which they're almost certain to given they're 11 points clear of fifth with a game in hand—then the team who finishes in fifth will take their Champions League spot for next season.

The Citizens play that game in hand against West Ham United on Wednesday. In the Champions League, they'll take on Real Madrid in the last 16 on February 26.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has offered his view on Manchester City's two-season ban from the UEFA Champions League and said that clubs must be punished if they fail to respect the rules.

The Citizens have been banned from UEFA club competitions and fined €30 million (£24.9 million) for breaking financial fair play rules (FFP), and Wenger spoke about the decision at the Laureus Sports Awards in Berlin, per Mark Staniforth at The Independent.

"The rules are what they are and you have to respect them.

"People who are caught trying to get around the rules in more or less legal ways have to be punished, if it is proven that this has been done on purpose.

"I think sport is basically to win by respecting the rules - we celebrate the best in every sport and we want to know that they respect the rules.

"If there is no respect for the rules it is not real sport. If you go into a competition it is a sign that you respect the rules."

Manchester City said they were not surprised at UEFA's decision and have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Athletic's Sam Lee has said Manchester City are confident of overturning the ban:

Stunned at City CL ban (2 seasons). Decision was due in December, everything indicated (on several sides) no ban. Big delay and now this 180. One thing I would say is that part of noise from top level at City was that they’re confident of no ban, even if it means they overturn it

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) February 14, 2020

News of Manchester City's ban sent shock waves through the footballing world and has fuelled speculation over the future of manager Pep Guardiola and some of the team's key players.

Guardiola's contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until the summer of 2021, but it includes a clause that allows him to walk away at the end of the current campaign. However, he has told friends he intends to stay at the club despite the ban, according to Simon Stone at BBC Sport.

Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne's future has also come under scrutiny because of clauses in his contract relating to Champions League football, as highlighted by journalist Kristof Terreur:

According to Football Leaks:

Kevin De Bruyne gets £1.25m-£1.5m per year for CL qualification on top of his basic wages.

If City win the CL, he gets £1m.

He might miss out on at least 10% of his guaranteed wages (loyalty fee + image rights included).

No other clauses.#mcfc

— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) February 17, 2020

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, has responded to speculation Real Madrid could try to take advantage of the situation and sign the England international. 

Ward told the Mirror's John Cross: "Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment."

Wenger was critical of Manchester City's spending during his time in charge of the Gunners. The Frenchman saw players such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna all leave Arsenal for the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City invested heavily in their squad.

The agent of Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has said the player is "solely focused" on the club despite rumours of a player exodus following news they'll be banned from the UEFA Champions League until the 2022-23 season.

The Mirror's John Cross wrote Real Madrid have shown interest in Sterling after UEFA announced City's punishment for breaching financial fair play (FFP) laws.

Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, told the Mirror: "Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment."

Emily Mee of Sky News noted City were fined €30 million (£24.9 million) in addition to their Champions League suspension, which they will appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana) reported Real also had their eyes on midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne should any of City's stars become available following news of their potential ban.

Sterling, 25, joined the Citizens from Liverpool in 2015 for £49 million, and his contract at the Etihad Stadium isn't due to expire until June 2023.

The England star has excelled since moving to Manchester and gone on to become a key figure for club and country, scoring 89 goals and recording 71 assists in 226 appearances for City.

Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol provided quotes from manager Pep Guardiola, who said he intends to stay at the club regardless of their punishment—even if it includes relegation:

Pep Guardiola has told Man City players: “Whatever league we are in, I will still be here. Even if they put us in League Two, I will still be here. This is a time for sticking together." City CEO Ferran Soriano told players: “Trust me like I trust you, this will be dropped.”

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) February 17, 2020

The defending Premier League champions are accused of overstating sponsorship revenue in their accounts between 2012 and 2016, a tactic that would have helped the club bypass FFP regulations.

Sports lawyer John Mehrzad QC suggested City's alleged actions could be in breach of player contracts, which may see stars leave the club for nothing, per James Ducker and Mike McGrath of the Telegraph.

City issued a statement criticising UEFA's decision and the manner in which the investigation into their spending was conducted.

The statement described the matter as "a case initiated by UEFA, prosecuted by UEFA and judged by UEFA," European football's governing body.

Sterling came off injured late on when City lost 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur on February 2, and the speedster isn't expected to recover in time for Wednesday's rescheduled Premier League clash with West Ham United.

Manchester City have been banned from European competition for the next two seasons, and reportedly could now face a points deduction in the Premier League.

Miguel Delaney of the Independent reported the English champions could be punished for "serious breaches" of UEFA's Financial Fair Play which "also represents a breach of the domestic competition’s regulations."

UEFA found City had overstated its sponsorship revenue in accounts submitted to the European governing body between 2012 and 2016.

The Premier League reportedly could now act and have already discussed potential punishments for the Sky Blues.

City were also handed a €30 million (£25 million) fine with their European ban.

City released a statement after the decision was announced:

"The club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position.

"In December 2018, the Uefa chief investigator publicly previewed the outcome and sanction he intended to be delivered to Manchester City, before any investigation had even begun.

"The subsequent flawed and consistently leaked Uefa process he oversaw has meant that there was little doubt in the result that he would deliver. The club has formally complained to the Uefa disciplinary body, a complaint which was validated by a CAS ruling.

"Simply put, this is a case initiated by Uefa, prosecuted by Uefa and judged by Uefa. With this prejudicial process now over, the club will pursue an impartial judgment as quickly as possible and will therefore, in the first instance, commence proceedings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the earliest opportunity."

Manchester City respond to UEFA’s announcement pic.twitter.com/aXJleYk8PE

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 14, 2020

Joe Doyle and Alan Smith of Football.London reported the team to finish fifth in the Premier League could be given the remaining place in the Champions League for next season.

Doyle and Smith reported article 4.08 of UEFA's admission criteria and procedure states: "A club which is not admitted to the competition is replaced by the next best-placed club in the top domestic championship of the same association, provided the new club fulfils the admission criteria."

Financial Fair Play was brought in to stop clubs spending beyond their means in the pursuit of success. Clubs must protect against financial losses and are expected to work within their revenue streams.

City will continue to compete in this season's Champions League when they face Real Madrid in the last 16.

Manchester City have been banned from UEFA club competitions—the Champions and Europa Leagues—for two seasons and fined €30 million (£24.9 million) after being found to have breached the European governing body's financial fair play (FFP) rules.

Rob Harris of the AP shared UEFA's full statement:

Full details of Man City being banned from Champions League for TWO SEASONS for "serious breaches" of UEFA financial rules pic.twitter.com/sYVG5orSRt

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 14, 2020

The news will be a severe blow to the Premier League champions, but Pep Guardiola's side have released a statement in which they said they will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport "as quickly as possible."

The Citizens have been found guilty of "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts" and also in the information given to UEFA between 2012 and 2016. Manchester City were also found to have breached regulations by having "failed to cooperate in the investigation."

The investigation was brought about after allegations by German magazine Der Spiegel and Football Leaks in November 2018, as shown by Get French Football News:

Breaking | Football Leaks headline: Manchester City’s owners allegedly injected €2.7bn into the club over the last 7 years through its shareholders & over-valued sponsorship contracts which infringe FFP regulations.

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 2, 2018

Football Leaks claim that a Manchester City executive sent an email following the death of an FFP investigator as follows: "One has fallen, there are six to go." https://t.co/3H6pQJljBo

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 2, 2018

In their statement, the club say they are "disappointed but not surprised" and called the investigation "flawed and consistently leaked."

BBC reporter Dan Roan shared the full club statement:

Man City “disappointed” & will appeal pic.twitter.com/SdjcjdWXZn

— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 14, 2020

Ed Malyon at The Athletic explained why Manchester City could get the punishment overturned:

The severity of the financial and playing impact this ban would have on Man City means I think they’ll throw full legal might at getting it turned over - which means they probably succeed...

But if this punishment stands in current form it’s a watershed moment in modern footbal

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) February 14, 2020

Friday's decision will also have ramifications for the Premier League and qualification for next season's Champions League, as highlighted by ESPN FC's Dale Johnson:

The big news from this is that Champions League qualification will now drop to 5th, so Sheffield United in a UCL spot.

Europa League places may possibly drop down to 8th, which right now would give Man United a 2QR place. https://t.co/D9MsAkFmaQ

— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) February 14, 2020

Manchester City's ban could also have an impact on manager Pep Guardiola who is contracted to the club until summer 2021.

The Spaniard's future has come under scrutiny after his team slipped 22 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League. He told Sky Sports he thought he could be sacked if City fail to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 tie.

The Citizens are not the first club to be banned from European competition by UEFA for breaking FFP rules, Dynamo Moscow and Galatasaray have both been handed suspensions, but Friday's decision will still send shockwaves through the football world.

River Plate is the club he supports, but Nicolas Otamendi isn't ready to leave Manchester City until his contract runs out in 2022.

Otamendi's friend Martin Sendoa stoked the rumours of Otamendi joining River when he told TyC Sports (h/t Joe Bray of the Manchester Evening News):

"Nico's wish is to retire in River but he’s not going to interrupt the contract with the City. At 34 he could return to Argentina and close his career in the Millionaire, but we still had no contact and nobody spoke to us. If (River manager Marcelo) Gallardo calls him, Nico doesn't even doubt him, he comes. He is dying to play in River."

Bray also noted how Sendoa had posted a birthday message on Instagram when Otamendi turned 32 on Wednesday. The message accompanied a picture of both men outside River Plate's stadium.

Otamendi responded by speaking about his immediate future in Manchester to La Red (h/t Ole, via Bray): "I am a River fan. Martin is my friend, but not my representative. Jorge Mendes is. I don’t want to embarrass Gallardo or River. I have two years of contract at Manchester City and my head is set here, to fulfil it. My family, my children are happy. Then it will be seen."

While he's content to remain at the Etihad Stadium for now, Otamendi did recount how he's received messages from River fans. However, the defender has not spoken to the Argentinian club despite his respect for River manager Marcelo Gallardo's "incredible" performance.

Marcelo Gallardo is now the coach with the most trophies in the history of River Plate with 10 ⚪️🔴⚪️🔝#Gallardo #RiverPlate pic.twitter.com/67GlHGlu19

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 31, 2019

For now, Otamendi is prepared to concentrate on the rest of City's season. Success in the cups looks to be the main target for the defending Premier League champions, who are 22 points behind Liverpool even though they've played a game less than the leaders.

A vulnerability in defence has undone the Citizens several times this season. Otamendi and Co. have conceded 29 goals after 25 matches, with the South American in the starting XI for costly defeats against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City.

Otamendi was unable to help Pep Guardiola's team cope during the absence of Aymeric Laporte. The latter missed nearly six months with a knee injury, the chief reason why City's defence crumbled.

Another reason involved the club's failure to replace Vincent Kompany last summer when the departing skipper rejoined former club Anderlecht. It left Guardiola with Laporte, John Stones and Otamendi as his only senior options at the positions.

Stones has always been shaky, lacking the aggression to complement his exceptional technique on the ball. Meanwhile, Otamendi is aggressive and effective in the air, but he remains prone to reckless lapses in judgement.

John Stones: Has a better pass success rate (94.4%) than any other player in the Premier League this season (10+ apps)

For more player stats -- https://t.co/vqtY0pdmsS pic.twitter.com/8epz9iwCho

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) January 14, 2020

The problems experienced by City's established defenders have led Guardiola to give more opportunities to an academy graduate like Eric Garcia. Still just 19, Garcia excelled during a 1-0 win away to Sheffield United in January.

Yet despite Garcia's development, as well as Otamendi's desire to stay, there's no doubt City still need reinforcements at centre-back. Guardiola has been linked with Unai Nunez of Athletic Bilbao, per AS (h/t MailOnline's Kathryn Batte).

City will need fresh talent if they are going to make up the difference to Liverpool next season. In the meantime, it's debatable whether Otamendi, Stones and Garcia will be good enough alongside the returning Laporte to help the club finally win the UEFA Champions League.

Ilkay Gundogan has said his desire for a fresh challenge was the reason he signed for Manchester City, rather than joining former coach Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The midfielder played under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, but the Germany international told Fantasy PL (h/t Josh Challies of the Liverpool Echo) he was keen to have a new football experience when he moved to England in 2016:

"I believe in challenges in life and I always try to challenge myself first of all. I feel like if I don't challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone, I'm not going to change anything and won't improve.

"So I had a great four years with Jurgen and I love him as a person and a manager but I felt it was time for something else.

"I wanted to leave Dortmund in Dortmund and didn't want to think about the time that I had with him when I was joining a new club. That was a bit of the reason why I didn't want to join Liverpool."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr70K6MGHQA

Gundogan earned an impressive reputation with BVB, winning the 2011-12 Bundesliga title and making the UEFA Champions League final the following year.

Klopp honed his management style for seven years at Signal Iduna Park before exiting Dortmund in 2015. The coach resurfaced at Anfield five months afterwards.

Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing at City, completing a £20 million transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

The German would have been perfect for Klopp's needs, and his performances at City indicate he would have been a huge hit on Merseyside playing for his compatriot.

The 29-year-old is a two-time Premier League winner, but it seems he will have to watch his former boss scoop up the title with the Reds. Liverpool have built a 22-point advantage over second-placed City in the title race, and Guardiola's men have been unable to keep up with Klopp's unbeaten exploits this season.

Former Juventus manager Luigi Maifredi has said Pep Guardiola could join the Old Lady if he decides to leave Manchester City. 

The current Brescia technical coordinator told TuttoJuve (via Naveen Ullal of Sport Witness) "there is no doubt" Guardiola would become Juve manager, and stated the Italian champions were keen to tempt the former Barcelona coach to Turin last year:

"If he frees himself, there is no doubt that Guardiola will come to Juventus. The club wanted him last year, but he did nothing due to contracts or promises made to the club.

"It is normal that at the first negative results, his name is once again linked to the Bianconeri."

Maurizio Sarri is under pressure after Inter Milan went level on points with Juve at the top of the Serie A table following the Bianconeri's shock 2-1 loss on Saturday at Verona.

Sarri exited Chelsea at the end of last season and walked straight into the Turin post after the departure of Massimiliano Allegri.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored for a 10th consecutive league match to open the scoring against the Mastiffs, but second-half goals by Fabio Borini and Giampaolo Pazzini handed Juve their third loss of the season.

Maifredi, who coached Juve in 1990-91, recommended his former team allow Sarri time to improve results. The 72-year-old added he doesn't believe the club will turn back to Allegri in the near future:

"I judge the voice of a possible return of Allegri not true," Maifredi said. "For me, it is right to continue with Sarri, at least until the end of the season."

Guardiola has suffered his most difficult campaign in charge since taking over the Sky Blues in 2016, and the current season has been hugely disappointing for the Catalan.

After two consecutive Premier League crowns, City have surrendered their title with a whimper. Liverpool lead the way at the top of the English top-flight by an incredible 22 points after an unbeaten season.

Guardiola's future ambitions are unknown. However, the 49-year-old has now had success in La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Premier League. The Serie A title would complete the coach's role of honours in the best four leagues on the planet.

Juve will not tolerate failure in Italian football anytime soon. After eight seasons without Serie A success, the Old Lady have scooped an incredible eight consecutive championships.

Inter Milan have drawn level, and Sarri must react as soon as possible before his club look elsewhere for leadership.