City in The Champions League

When this year's edition of the Champions League is ready to be kicked off, the last year's finalists Juventus FC are set for a visit to the Etihad, and Manchester City. A City that has started the season in the best way. Five wins, 11 goals produced and zero conceded. It is worse for Juventus; No victory in the first three matches in the league and a very precarious situation for Allegri and his players.

Manchester City are now making their fifth appearance in the Champions League. In the past two years, City eliminated by FC Barcelona. In this years edition of the Champions League, Manchester City seem to have finally been assigned a group randomly, in which the first place can be viewed as  reasonable. Previously, Manchester City have never been a sure thing for the first place in the group, but this is as close as it gets.

Take over the group first, and then Europe.

It's Nacho Time!

Sergio Aguero was forced to leave the game due to getting injured and Jesus Navas missed an open goal. Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up and blessed Manchester City. The 18-year-old substitute scored the only goal of the game in stoppage time.

Manchester City already had David Silva and Raheem Sterling on the injury list. Crystal Palace gave City a new heavy blow when Sergio Aguero was the subject of a vicious tackle by Crystal Palace player Scott Dann after 18 minutes. It should have been a red card for Dann.

To replace Aguero on the field came the new signing Kevin de Bruyne who made his debute in light blue. The new acquisition played the ball with a good pass to Jesus Navas who rounded the goalkeeper and got a open goal. The winger finished the chance, but missed.

Instead of the superstars, it is an 18-year-old who will get the headlines. Kelechi Iheanacho came on at the end of the match and after only having been on the pitch for a few seconds, he scored the 1-0 goal in stoppage time and became another great City hero.

It is undoubtedly Nacho Time!

How De Bruyne Should/Will Be Used

With Kevin De Bruyne on board it would seem that Jesus Navas would have to step aside. It will not be Raheem Sterling and it is certainly not David Silva who shall be stepping aside.  With Navas pace and direct style of play, he has given City an important dimension. It is no coincidence that Navas played 35 league games last season. But now his chances in the starting line seem drastically reduced.

As a winger Silva will of course still move more centrally. He will move fairly freely, but there is still a difference. As a winger, he has a defensive responsibilities on the flank and it will inhibit his offensive game. It will also mean that City becomes slightly brittle on the flank. Kevin De Bruyne is a number 10 that often moves out toward the edges to create numerical advantages in the middle. Expect him to move freely and cross the ball from the edge of the area and also expect quick passing triangles when he and Silva find each other.

Manchester City vs Watford

With great swagger, Pellegrini does not change anything in the starting line-up from the previous match. Given how good the guys played and with a international break approaching, one might wonder why he would do it? One reason may well be to bring in some new blood to show something and bring new energy during a match where City's worst opponent is their own motivation.

This problem becomes evident during the first half to almost be described as the world championships in trot football. City look uninterested, uninspired and energy releasing during the match opening 45 minutes.

At the break Pellegrini stirred around in the pot and he takes a underperforming Navas and on comes Nasri. This means that Pellegrini also makes a tactical change and sends Silva out on the right and he  places Nasri on the left wing. Sterling is in the middle. It takes only 90 seconds for Sterling to run free and Sagna crosses the ball towards the world's most expensive Englishman who makes it 1-0.

In the 55th minute Yaya fires off a hard free-kick into the Watford wall. Somehow the ball bounces out to Silva who, as usual, beats a perfectly weighted pass forward to Fernandinho coming in from the right and he fires a rocket of a shot straight in the net and if the match was decided by 1-0 is definitely closed at 2-0.

Iheanacho got to make his Premier League debut after 87 minutes for Manchester City in front of a standing ovation for both him and for Sterling who he replaced. Over 90 minutes Joe Hart was not tested at all.

Finally, the match ends with a very confident 2-0 win which means that Pellegrini broke a 103-year club record for the most number of league wins in a row. The new record is now 10 wins in a row.

















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Manchester City vs Chelsea

Last season there were signs indicating that Manchester City was facing a re-building period in the summer. The team looked like they were going through a tough time last spring and gave up early in the title battle against Chelsea. Moreover, City had the highest average age of all the teams in Europe's top five leagues while stars like Vincent Kompany and Yaya Touré had off seasons.
After two rounds there is a rekindled Manchester City. City is out for revenge.

Manchester City was dominant today in the win against Chelsea. During a strong first half, it was City who had the momentum. Their performance was a clone of Pellegrini's debut season. Sergio Aguero, who started on the bench in the premiere, created four or five chances. His 1-0 goal was a masterpiece of its kind, where he with minimal space, turned and finished off the attack with a low shot that crept its way into the low corner.

David Silva has moved into the number ten role and there he is completely magical. He played brilliantly against West Bromwich and he was extremely good again against Chelsea. Raheem Sterling ran away from Branislav Ivanovic and over again and he has already given the City a new dimension. Fernandinho is another player who dipped last year and now looks to have found 2013/14 form. Eliaquim Mangala also looks more stable. Manchester City now appears as "the team to beat".















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How City benefits from a partnership with Girona

It has recently been rumored in Spain that Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has made an offer for a 80% share in Girona FC on behalf of Manchester City. What could it possibly bring to Manchester City as an organization except maybe some support in Spain?

• A higher level of football for City's young players as they can be sent on loan to gain valuable experience.
• Higher Profile in Spain
• If the City youngsters manage to get Girona promoted they would get more experience since they could ultimately play in La Liga on loan.
• Access to a spanish academy.
• A first-hand scouting network in Spain.

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Match Report: Manchester City vs West Brom

This year's premiere was played at The Hawthorns where West Bromwich stood as the opposition. It was a fine first game. After total domination City was the victorious team with 3-0 as the scoreline when the referee blew the final whistle. The goals were scored by Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany.

City supporters only had to wait eight minutes before the 1-0 goal was a fact. Navas found Yaya Toure, who just outside the penalty area fired a shot that might have/have not touched Silva and then the WBA central defender Dawson, to finally roll slowly into the goal behind a bewildered Myhill.

WBA parked bus á la Tony Pulis and Mourinho. It is usually difficult to open up a tight defence but when Yaya Toure is on the right all bets are off. After 23 minutes, Bony laid the ball off to Yaya, who let off a curling shot that was bombed into the top corner behind a chance-less Myhill. 2-0 to City was a fact.

The last chance of the first half went to City and a fantastic Silva laid off a sharp through ball to an onrushing Kolarov who fired the ball over the goal.

The second half did not start unexpectedly with a goal scoring chance for City.

In the 58th minute the game was settled. From a corner kick delivered by Silva reached Kompany who headed the ball into the far corner for a 3-0 lead. They subsequent scenes when Kompany ran up to the happy City supporters behind the goal and celebrated already feel classic!

The last half hour was relatively uneventful as City was already winning and they kept WBA at bey. However, with three changes were made as Bony, Sterling and Yaya were substituted for Aguero, Nasri and Demichelis. However, Myhill finished the game with two fine saves after Aguero and Kolarov tested him in the final stages of the game.

Final Result: 3-0 Victory for City.

Kompany's Epic Celebration.

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Who is Plan B?

As the season is creeping closer and closer and the transfer window is starting to get shorter and shorter, It would seem that Manchester City have done half of what they're suppose to do and half of what they promised the supporters that they would do.

What has been done so far is: Filling up the English/Homegrown quote with the best homegrown/english players available. (Roberts, Sterling, Delph). This is very good of course as the club has also brought in a heap of 18 year olds to build for the future not to mention that there are a few youngsters from the EDS steadily approaching the first team.

But when will the finished, top of the line players be added to the squad? The De Bruyne's and Pogba's? It is looking less and less likely that City would get both of them. The one that City is most likely to get is De Bruyne and right now it feels like it's 50/50. But in case City pulls off De Bruyne but not Pogba who would be the Plan B?

Leon Goretzka. Leon Goretzka is one of the most promising box-to-box midfielders in the world and has been for the last 2 years. Unfortunately he has been in the shadow of Pogba and Verratti, respectively. Born in 1995, he made his debut for Bochum in the 2. Bundesliga where he played regularly for the whole 12/13 season and he managed to score 4 goals.

In the summer of 2013 he completed his move to Schalke 04 for what is assumed to be around €4 million. In his first season at Schalke 04 he played 25 games and scored 4 goals in the Bundesliga. He appeared in every Champions League game and smaller cup game as well. In the 14/15 season he was out injured and only managed to make 10 appearance in the League and 1 game in the Champions League. His absence definitely affected Schalke as their results in the league were poor without him at the end of the season.

Goretzka Stats (13/14 Season) :
Successful Tackels: 1, 2
Successful Interceptions: 1, 1
Key Passes: 1, 1
Dribbles: 2, 2
Fouls Committed: 1, 1

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Who is Patrick Roberts?

Manchester City have now completed the fifth signing so far this summer and it comes as a wonderkid named Patrick Roberts. Roberts who has played for Fulham in the Championship has joined City for what is believed to be around 5 million £ with add-ons. But a lot of fans worldwide might be asking themselves; who is Patrik Roberts?

Patrick Roberts was born in 1997 and he is seen as one of the most promising young players in the UK who plays as a second striker or right winger. He joined Fulham at the age of 13 and he signed his first professional contract at the age of 17.

The ever pragmatic coach Felix Magath has previously described him as an "extraordinary talent" and he Roberts was handed his first team debut at the age of 17 against his new club Manchester City. During the 14/15 season Roberts made 17 appearances for Fulham in The Championship and 3 appearances in all cup competitions.


Roberts have been touted as a future England star with a superb future within football. Now at 18 he has signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe but he is expected to play in the EDS team with a handful of first team appearances or he might get loaned out to a weaker team where he can take up a first team spot to further his development.



A Video of Patrick Roberts:





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Match Report: Manchester City vs Melbourne

The Manchester editions of Melbourne and Manchester met in a pre-season friendly match that took place in Australia. The pace was not the best but both teams still created chances.

The match began at a relatively sluggish pace, but in the eighth minute Willy Caballero was close getting Melbourne ahead. Caballero kicked the ball poorly and a Melbourne player could play the ball into the open goal, but in an impressive recovery Kompany prevented a goal.

Until the 19th minute the game went back and forth in slow tempo, but after Yaya clipped a free kick in the bar the pace was upped. Minutes later Barker fired a shot off after Yaya pushed for the attack.

In the 32nd minute a fine cross from the right made both Humphreys and Maffeo loose their markings which later led to a chance for Mauk who shot the ball high over the open goal. In the sequence afterwards Navas hit the crossbar with a fine effort.

In the second half Melbourne created chance. Novillo got the ball far down the right wing and made his way Horsfield past and then proceeded lob the ball over Caballero who was rushing out, but the ball bounced out for a goal kick.

In the 84th minute Nasri got off a hard shot that Velaphi almost dropped into his own net, but he managed to steer the ball out to a corner. But one minute later came the class came out and this time it was Nasri who showed it. Unal got the ball to Nasri via a touch and Nasri volleyed it into the net and Manchester City came out victorious.









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Fabian Delph at City

One of the most remarkable turnarounds in the transfer window took place in the afternoon of the 17th of July when Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph signed a 5 year contract with Manchester City. The same Delph that exactly a week before explained that he intended to stay in Aston Villa.

A week ago the Aston Villa fans cheered and praised their captain who got cold feet and decided to stay in Birmingham and the city's pride Aston Villa. It's most likely Christian Bentekes decision to leave Villa for Liverpool that sparked Fabian to change his mind again and move to the bigger team, Manchester City.

Fabian made his debut in the English national team in September 2014, and he has been capped six times for the national team.

Now Delph choose to continue at Manchester City where he will most likely be a squad player. He must have been promised playing time in line with James Milner over time. Fans are keeping their fingers crossed that it goes better for Fabian compared to Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair.

Fabian Delph will wear the sweater 18 at Manchester City and he is probably not so popular in Birmingham today.









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De Bruyne update

Once the saga of the transfer of Raheem Sterling concluded, Manchester City seems to have set the next target for a transfer in an effort to launch a title challenge in the Premier League. His name is Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian wonderkid is one of the most sought after targets of the market, but only clubs with a certain type of cash could sprawl him loose from Wolfsburg. Cit have recently submitted a bid worth 57 million euros for the player which Wolfsburg will not accept.

The Bundesliga runner-up is making an extra effort to have a competitive enough squad to fight for the title and will not sell Belgian ace below 70 million euros according to various news sources.








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Alex Sandro City Bound?

There seem to be a little issue on the left fullback position at Manchester City, at least if various fans online are to believed. There could be something to it. With both Clichy and Kolarov are pushing 30 and they have different qualities and with Angelino deemed not ready yet to step up there must be a mid-way gap in between. It could be Alex Sandro.

Unless City have someone else lined up, he seems like he would be the best option for City's presumed Left Fullback problem. He has recently asked for a transfer and at the moment Juventus are in talks to sign him for around 20m Euros. City will most likely keep Clichy for his Homegrown status, but Alex Sandro is 24 years old and would seem like a great buy to replace Kolarov.

Something is afoot as City gear up for Melbourne Face Off

TV companies are doing everything to bring the viewers closer to the football field.
This is perhaps the sickest step. Tando Velaphi, keeper of Melbourne City will on Saturday to act as a pundit - while he is guarding the goal against Manchester City.
- I'm all for it. I think there will be much to do on Saturday, so it's a great chance to try something new, says Velaphi to Fox Sports.

For those of you who thought that things were better before, you could be right.
Here you have a terrifying example.
When Manchester City on Saturday are facing off against Melbourne City it will really make TV history.
- Is there another way to interact with the viewers and fans and give them a different perspective on what they normally get, says Velaphi to Fox Sports in Australia.

Velaphi will be provided with an acoustic shell and the game will be switched to direct transmission for him to comment on the events on the pitch. Key events in the game will also go in the replay with Velaphis words and camera images from a camera that is placed right behind his goal.

This is not the first time the a television network has tried something revolutionary. During last year's season in the top league FOX sought to equip the judges with a microphone, but was stopped by Fifa.

City overcome Adelaide United in a 2-0 Victory

City opened their pre-season tour in Australia with a 2-0 victory against Adelaide United, thanks to second half goals from Brandon Barker and Bruno Zuculini. The game was played behind closed doors while Pellegrini assessed the fitness status of the player he currently has at his exposure.

A lot of players from the EDS liked of Cameron Humphreys and Manu Garcia, were rewarded with starting places alongside more senior colleagues including Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri.

Pellegrini made some changes at half-time, and it was substitute Brandon Barker who opened the scoring with a good and low finish into the bottom of the far corner. Bruno Zuculini, who spent last season on mixed success loans at Valencia and Cordoba, secured the win in the 84th minute, following some excellent work by Clichy who served up a perfect cross that resulted in the goal.

Manchester City Target: Fabinho

Born in Campinas, São Paulo, Fabinho began his career at Fluminense. He was called into a first team matchday squad for the only time on 20 May 2012, as he was an unused substitute in the 1–0 win at Corinthians.

After not making any senior appearances at Fluminense he was sold as he was seen as very promising to Rio Ave but was shortly there after loaned out to Real Madrid Castilla where he made 30 appearances and scored 2 goals.

Then he was loaned out to AS Monaco for two seasons where he enjoyed two seasons in Ligue 1 and one with Champions League football where he showed his versatility by playing in Central Midfield for some games. He has made a total of 61 appearances and scored 1 goal for AS Monaco who recently bought him from Rio Ave.

Manchester City are rumored to be close to completing a move for AS Monaco defender Fabinho, with the French side holding out for £18 million for the Brazil international. City see the 21-year-old as a long-term heir to Pablo Zabaleta, but is he worth the £18 million right now?

Fabinho had a 82% success rate with his passes, including his long range and shorter passes. He made 93 interceptions during open play as well as completing 81 tackles in open play. For a right fullback he is as creative as it can be expected with 22 chances created. He has also conceded 54 fouls and won 45 fouls in the 14/15 season.

According OPTA's data these are the stats for Fabinho:

Successful Tackles: 81 out of 97

Duels Won: 236 out of 383

Aerial Duels won: 51 out of 79

Clearances: 79

Blocks: 3

With some time for development he would certainly be a heir for Zabaleta whilst Pablo Maffeo takes some time for his personal development as a player. Fabinho is definitely worth the £18 million that AS Monaco has quoted.