Manchester City

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

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Manchester City fans have always known he was special. Those same fans have long been crying out for him to be granted more opportunities on the field.

Pep Guardiola knows he is a unique talent, too. But so do other clubs, and an exit may not be too far away.

You would not be wrong to think that was a description of Cole Palmer's situation before his departure from Etihad Stadium back in 2023 and, in many ways, it does entirely suit.

This time, however, it is a reflection of the moment James McAtee finds himself in.

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A lifelong Manchester City fan, McAtee is emerging from the same youth squad that has thrust Palmer, Liam Delap, Romeo Lavia and Morgan Rogers into the Premier League limelight, but he has had to bide his time when it comes to sufficient chances in Guardiola's first-team squad.

A moment of brilliant to create a second goal against Leicester City before the turn of the year reminded fans of just what can happen when the 22-year-old is given the licence to express himself freely on the pitch.

And then came the FA Cup third round, and a sensational hat-trick and overall second-half showing to further stress just what a huge mistake Manchester City would be making to let go of such an elite young prospect.

It is time for Guardiola to show exactly why he worked so hard to keep hold of the player last summer, and give him chance to excel in a largely faltering City attacking set-up to help drive the club into a new and fresh generation.

Failing that, you could be about to see the emergence of England's next world superstar... showcasing his talents at one of the continent's other great football clubs after being snapped up for a small fee.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

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Former Manchester City captain Tony Book has died at the age of 90.

One of the most successful players in the club's golden era of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Book won domestic and European honours as a player and a manager.

He began wearing the armband in 1967 and led the club to the First Division title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and the double success of the League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup a year later.

Book moved into management in 1974 and guided City to a further League Cup triumph in 1976. He was in charge until 1979.

The 'bricklayer from Bath' - a nod to his apprenticeship days - started his career at 1956 in non-league football with Bath City, where he made 387 appearances and captained the side to its first Southern League title.

He was 29 years old when he got his first move to Plymouth Argyle, followed by a switch to Maine Road two years later.

"For nearly 60 years, Tony helped to shape Manchester City, not just in what he contributed as a player, captain and manager, but in the way he conducted himself," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said.

"His hopes and ambitions for his club were matched only by his incredible humility regarding his own significant achievements.

"He will forever be remembered by our supporters as a man who helped to lay the foundations upon which unprecedented success could be built.

"A player and leader whose outstanding abilities not only helped return us to the peak of English football, but also delivered our first ever European honour.

"Tony's devotion to his club meant he was still fulfilling club duties earlier this season. I will miss seeing him at our games enormously, and witnessing first hand the regard in which he is held by every generation of the City family."

As a mark of respect, flags around Etihad Stadium and City Football Academy are flying at half-mast.

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Kyle Walker has been "thrown under the bus" by manager Pep Guardiola publicly indicating his captain's desire to leave Manchester City, says former Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott.

"That was a conversation for just between him and Pep," Walcott told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"It takes away from the performances of Manchester City and gets us talking about something completely different. Maybe that's what Pep wants to happen - to distract with a player he has nothing to do with at this moment in time but is still at the football cub.

"There is a person there who will still do a job because of how professional he is and has been for many many years.

"Having someone round the club who can comfort players in what it means to play for Manchester City is important. We must not forget how important he has been for England too.

"Pep has actually really thrown him under the bus doing something like this very publicly, personally."

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Walker, 34, joined City in Guardiola's second season in charge in 2017 and Walcott believes the time may have naturally come for him to try a new environment.

"Players come to a point where they just want change," he added.

"As a player, you can't fault all his achievements, but there are cracks slowly starting to show now with his focus slowly fading.

"A new set-up and new culture - wherever he may go - may do a lot of good for him.

"The enjoyment has just completely gone from a player who has achieved so much. You should always enjoy it."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

I was hoping Brentford would have a real go at the FA Cup this season, but they made a load of changes for their tie with Plymouth, and they ended up on the wrong end of the biggest shock of round three.

I can understand Bees' manager Thomas Frank's point of view, because he can argue his side have a busy schedule with some tough fixtures coming up - after this game, they host Liverpool on Saturday and I am there for Radio 5 Live.

He decided to give some fringe players an opportunity to get a game and impress him, against a struggling Championship team who had not won an away game all season, but it did not work out.

The Bees started the season with such a strong home record but Saturday's defeat means they have lost their past three matches there.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are starting to build some better form again, and their big win over Salford City at the weekend was their third in a row.

I was a bit surprised about the news Kyle Walker could be leaving City. He has not had the best of seasons, but he has probably been the best right-back the Premier League has seen.

Walker has been a huge part of what City have achieved under Pep Guardiola and I would be sad to see him leave the Premier League if he does go abroad.

In terms of this game, I feel like City are on a bit of a roll. I've already done something which I promised I wouldn't do in Fantasy Football, which is put Erling Haaland back in my team, and captained him.

It was a masterstroke from myself, and my assistant, because he scored twice in their last Premier League game against West Ham.

I am expecting Haaland to carry on his goalscoring form here, and I feel like City are going to edge it. I don't think it will be easy, though, and I cannot see them keeping a clean sheet.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Former England winger Theo Walcott thinks Jack Grealish is "a player who has an incredible, incredible talent that has been absolutely coached out of him".

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Walcott said: "Players become professionals from doing something different, out of the ordinary, particularly in the attacking areas.

"Some games can be quite stagnated and boring to watch - get the ball and receive it, turn back, let the full-back do the one-v-one against the other full-back.

"I'm like: 'No!' That is [Jack Grealish's] strength. He's gone away from his strength; he's gone away from everything that is Jack Grealish. It's been trained out of him.

"When was the last time he picked the ball up and done the maverick side of things and got people off their seats? I don't see people getting off seats any more."

Listen to the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Manchester City are willing to allow defender Kyle Walker to depart for free this month amid interest from AC Milan and Inter Milan. (Gazzetta dello Sport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Brentford boss Thomas Frank does not believe Manchester City's recent dip in form would have surprised "best coach in the world" Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola's side hit an unprecedented slump in November and December, including a run of six league defeats in eight matches, before chalking up three straight wins in all competitions since a home Boxing Day draw against Everton.

The defending champions are 12 points behind leaders Liverpool and two points adrift of the top four before Tuesday's trip to face the Bees in the league at Gtech Community Stadium.

"A fantastic team with a fantastic coach and fantastic players," Frank said. "I don't think it's a surprise for Pep that they've had a dip.

"You never know when it is coming, but you know that not one team in the world can consistently just win year after year.

"It's impossible, especially in the best league in the world.

"What they've done for the past four years shouldn't be possible. It's hugely impressive and he will go again."

Frank and Guardiola are the Premier League's two longest-serving managers, boasting six years and eight-and-a-half years respectively in their current roles.

"For me, he is the best coach in the world," Frank added. "He's also the outlier when he is that good because I think he can stay as long as he wants to.

"Of course, everyone needs to perform - even Pep and he says that himself - but he's that good that he can come up with solutions."

Having suffered a shock FA Cup exit in a 1-0 home defeat by Plymouth on Saturday, Brentford will bid to bounce back against a City side who thrashed Salford 8-0 in their third-round tie.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Pep Guardiola did not want to talk about Kyle Walker or the impact his potential departure could have at Manchester City at his pre-match media briefing.

However, there is an issue.

Without Walker, Rico Lewis is the obvious alternative but the young defender has struggled at times this season as City have slid down the Premier League table.

Matheus Nunes filled in against Manchester United last month but was exposed by Amad, which will probably live longer in the mind than the 26-year-old's performance in the 8-0 win over League Two Salford on Saturday.

Centre-backs Manuel Akanji and John Stones could also fill the slot - and then there is Abdukodir Khusanov.

The Uzbekistan international is expected to complete his £33.6m move from Lens later this week.

He is also right-footed.

While Khusanov is a central defender, the same was also true of Josko Gvardiol when he arrived from RB Leipzig in 2023. The Croatia international is now City's first choice left-back.

It could be that City's next right-back is not yet at the club.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game at Brentford (19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola said he has "no news" on the future of Kyle Walker who has asked to leave the club and confirmed he will decide whether his captain will be in the squad for Tuesday after training today.

• Have City turned a corner? Guardiola said: "We won three games. Before it was impossible to win one! Now we won three, and that helps us. We did it quite well, but still we have to wait to see if we are who we are. The mood is better."

• He did not comment on reports City have agreed a fee with Lens for defender Abdukodir Khusanov: "The club didn't announce anything. I don't know."

• Asked if there will be other additions, Guardiola said: "I don't know. What I expect for the beginning of the season, the team we started with back. If it would've happened I am not going to the transfer window this season. We would not be in the position that we are but we struggle all the season. It's not just Rodri, we have a lot of problems in the back four. That is the reason why the club is thinking we might do this transfer."

• On where the club need to strengthen: "From where we were in the beginning of the season it is the back and the middle. There is a position up front we are more or less OK but at the back we have struggled all season."

• He is a big fan of opposite number Thomas Frank and his side, stating: "Tomorrow we have an enormously difficult game, always the teams of Thomas [Frank] creates a lot of problems. They are a fantastic, fantastic team. I have the feeling that he's so happy there, he's comfortable. But, I have the feeling all the time that sooner or later, he will be appointed with a team to fight for the higher targets and he will do it really well."

Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Commentary of Brentford v Manchester City will be available on the BBC Sport website as part of our live coverage of the Premier League's midweek fixtures

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup game between Manchester City and Salford City.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: Well done Man City. Boys became men today. Salford City gave it a good go but the thirst was there from Man City. This will bring confidence back into the whole squad and it obvious that everyone in the panel has a point to prove to Pep Guardiola.

Sean: A professional performance from a team of experience and youth. Players gained confidence back, we were clinical and took our chances well.

Strowg: Good performance. OK, it was against a lower league team, but they've won their past six games without conceding . Nice to some youngsters have a run out . Brentford next - let's see if we push on.

Brian: In every game, you can only play the team in front of you. In the FA Cup, this is regardless of the division they are from. City simply outplayed Salford - tactically and physically - and the gulf in quality truly showed. The game (and opponents) allowed players to rest which is important for the second half of the season.

Andrew: Trust the academy! They have skills and just need to gain strength as they move into their 20s and understand the structure as they get minutes.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Italian giants AC Milan are emerging as a potential destination for Manchester City star Kyle Walker but there are still a few issues to resolve.

City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Saturday that Walker had asked if he could "explore his options" to leave the club and move abroad.

City are adamant no concrete offer has been put to them yet, but sources close to the player feel AC Milan, currently eighth in Serie A, is a viable option.

However, AC Milan are currently looking at a loan deal while Walker, who still has 18 months remaining on his City contract, wants a permanent move.

There has been reported interest in the Saudi Pro-League but Walker prefers to stay in Europe.

"If he wants to explore, now it is a question of the market," said Guardiola. "He has to decide, not me.

"Kyle is an incredible player with an incredible physicality. He is a top-class player. When he has focus, he is unstoppable as a right-back. I never see a player with this physical condition in my career. He is fit. He can play one, two, three, four years as a professional."

Guardiola has also said he does not want to pick players whose mind is elsewhere, so presumably the 34-year-old will not be in contention for City's Premier League trip to Brentford on Tuesday.

The City boss is due to speak to the media ahead of that game at 12:30 GMT today.

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Manchester City's Nathan Ake says losing captain Kyle Walker would affect the team "massively".

City boss Pep Guardiola said the 34-year-old England international has asked to leave the club following Saturday's 8-0 FA Cup third round win over Salford City and he has been linked with both Milan clubs in today's gossip column

Walker still has 18 months left on his contract but when asked if the full-back would be granted his wish if he said he wanted to leave, Guardiola said: "Of course".

"He's massive for us, been massive for us over the years," fellow defender Ake said on the news. "He is a big character in the squad. He deserves a lot of praise for all the years he's been a top player for this club. 100% [a club legend].

City have agreed a £33.6m deal with French club Lens for Uzbekistan international defender Abdukodir Khusanov and are in negotiations with Brazilian side Palmeiras for teenage defender Vitor Reis. City are also interested in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.

"Any incomings, the club know what they're doing," said Ake. "They're trying to help the team and trying to get us back to where we belong."

England right-back Kyle Walker, 34, is set to sign a two-and-a-half year contract with AC Milan and seal a move from Manchester City in the coming days. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

However, there are also rumours Walker could instead join Milan rivals Inter Milan on a season-long loan. (Mail, external)

Teams from the Saudi Pro League remain interested in signing Walker, but the defender is keen to stay in Europe. (Sky Sports Germany, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

Games will be played over the weekend of 8 February.

• Manchester United v Leicester

• Brighton v Chelsea

• Exeter v Nottingham Forest

• Coventry v Ipswich

• Blackburn v Wolves

• Mansfield/Wigan v Fulham

• Birmingham v Newcastle

• Plymouth v Liverpool

• Everton v Bournemouth

• Aston Villa v Tottenham

• Southampton v Burnley

• Leyton Orient/Derby v Manchester City

• Doncaster v Crystal Palace

See the full draw

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Manchester City have won 14 successive home games in the FA Cup, the longest run by a side since Liverpool in January 1955 (16 games).

The Blues have recorded their biggest FA Cup win since beating Gateshead AFC 9-0 in a third round replay in January 1933.

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Pep Guardiola spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Manchester City's victory against Salford: "We finally won a game with a good margin, all respect for Salford. It was not easy with the man marking but we were clinical up front and happy with the performance."

On Jack Grealish ending his goal drought: "He made a good assist as well, not just the goal. He scored a goal, made an assist. Jack's a special player, not always one to score a lot of goals but it depends on him.

"If he can perform well, he'll take the opportunity to keep going and going.

"All the players depend on the performance in training sessions and when they have minutes to play. It's simple, not just for Jack, for all of them.

"I've been manager here for more than 500 games and we've made an incredible 487 or 488 games. Then we had 11, 12 or 13 bad games.

"The problem that we've had is that we've had an incredible amount of injuries so we could not train and we could not compete. It's so difficult but step by step, people are coming back.

"This season or maybe next season, new players come in and you have to fight for your position. When someone pushes you, you have competition and you give your best."

Tell us your thoughts on Man City's performance here

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Manchester City midfielder James Macatee spoke to BBC March of the Day after Saturday's FA Cup victory against Salford: "I was quite frustrated in the first half, wasn't seeing much of the ball. When the first one went in, my confidence was up and I kept scoring.

"I've been here since I was 10 and it's a special moment for me. Something I'll remember forever. I don't think I needed to prove myself but to get out there and show people what I can do, it's a good moment for me."