Pep Guardiola makes feelings clear on John Stones after Man City no-show at Fulham.
Pep Guardiola makes feelings clear on John Stones after Man City no-show at Fulham.
Manchester City have two Premier League matches remaining and know winning both will make it four successive league titles – with John Stones restricted to a watching brief during the 4-0 thumping of Fulham
Manchester City’s John Stones didn’t feature against Fulham
Manchester City’s John Stones didn’t feature against Fulham
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City moved another step closer to retaining their Premier League title by deploying four centre-backs in a defence not including John Stones.
The £100million signing Jack Grealish, who was out ill, has made only 10 league starts this season. And their worst player on the pitch at Craven Cottage was 25-goal Erling Haaland who missed two clear chances.
But it did not matter when £77m defender Josko Gvardiol netted twice. The only doubt during this one-sided encounter was who was going to take the injury-time penalty converted by Julian Alvarez for the final goal.
The Premier League’s claim to be the most competitive in the world took more time off to enjoy the sun down by the Thames. And the biggest question after the FA Cup finalists’ seventh consecutive Premier League win by at least two goals is: How long will their domestic domination continue?
Watch the Premier League title race and Champions League with TNT Sports
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On recent evidence, only the departure of Guardiola when his contract expires next summer – or if City are found guilty of breaking PSR rules – can stop the World Club Champions at home.
The case of Stones shows how strong they are. He is the best English centre-back and essential if the Three Lions are to get close to winning Euro 2024.
For City he has been on the bench for six of the last seven and has not started in the Premier League for a month. Stones did not even come off the bench when Nathan Ake went off injured.
At least he will be rested for Germany.
Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola ( Image: 2024 CameraSport)
“He is really ok,” said Guardiola. “Sometimes the players make a step up, the other ones.
“Mateo (Kovacic) is playing unbelievable now, Nathan (Ake) was unbelievable as well. That is why also. When you play games in that position.
“Jack last season played a lot. This season he plays less. And in this team, you have to perform consistently well, well, well many, many times. I know their qualities.”
The Catalan’s ability to refresh his squad every season ensures his players don’t get old together as young blood is injected. The three goalscorers at Fulham – Gvardiol, Foden and Alvarez – are 22, 23 and 24.
The Croatian defender started slowly in the Premier League career but has had the time to adapt.
“When you talk about football and all life, life is about confidence,” said Guardiola. “He has come here for many, many years and he is proving to himself that he can do it and play with us. He wants to be better and better, and when that happens you have something special.”
Josko Gvardiol has five goals in seven matches ( Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Gvardiol, who has scored five in seven, said: “Currently I’m in good form and the end of the season is coming. Three more finals so we need to be ready.
“We were discussing about me taking the penalty I said I’d like to take it, but we know who is the taker and he takes. In the end it was Julian and I’m happy for him to score a goal.”
Fulham had the same number of shots on target as red cards after Issa Diop got a second yellow for his stoppage time on Alvarez for the penalty. Discounting the penalties defeat to Real Madrid, City are now unbeaten in 33 matches dating back to December 6.
Fulham boss Marco Silva said: “It’s about consistency. It’s really something that has always been there for the last however many seasons.
“They won the Champions League. It’s so difficult to find consistency in football, they have been achieving that no matter what opposition they play against. It is what everybody at this level in football is searching for.”
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Manchester City given go-ahead for spectacular Toni Kroos deal: report
By Ben Hayward published 8 hours ago
Manchester City have reportedly been given the go-ahead to sign veteran Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos in a spectacular deal
Toni Kroos in action for Real Madrid against Granada in May 2024.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester City are reportedly considering a summer move for Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, with the German yet to decide on his future.
Kroos has spent the last decade at Real Madrid, having joined Los Blancos from Bayern Munich following the 2014 World Cup.
The German midfielder worked with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola at Bayern in the 2013/14 season and the two could now be set to link up again.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos in action against Manchester City and Erling Haaland in the Champions League in April 2024.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos in action against Manchester City and Erling Haaland in the Champions League in April 2024. (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, City are interested in signing Kroos this summer, having missed out on the midfielder last year after Ilkay Gundogan left the club.
The report claims last season’s treble winners would be prepared to pay Kroos wages of £13 million per year in a short-term deal.
Kroos is currently undecided on his future, having helped Madrid win another LaLiga title and qualify for this season’s Champions League final.
The final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1st could yet be his last game for Madrid and perhaps even his farewell as a professional footballer, with retirement also an option this summer.
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In FourFourTwo’s view, it seems unlikely that City will sign Kroos at this stage of his career. The midfielder is one of the game’s top talents and remains a high-quality player, but he is 34 years old and will turn 35 next January. The most likely scenario, if he does decide to extend his career, is for him to stay for another season at Real Madrid.
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Ben Hayward
Ben Hayward
Weekend editor
Ben Hayward is the Weekend Editor of FourFourTwo. A European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world – including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America – and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.
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Tottenham boost ahead of Manchester City as Pep Guardiola confirms ‘top boy’ is a doubt for league game
Rahman Osman
By Rahman Osman
Published 12th May 2024, 17:00 BST
Tottenham could be king makers as they face Manchester City with Arsenal hoping for a favour.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has explained why Jack Grealish pulled out of the game against Fulham and the reason he is a doubt for the visit to Tottenham on Tuesday night.
The England international has battled injuries lately and was not in the team that beat Fulham with Guardiola persisting with the front line that beat Wolves to do the job over the weekend.
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Asked after the game what the situation of his £100m top boy was after the win against Fulham, the City boss admitted it wasn’t an injury but an illness which meant they would have to monitor the situation closely.
Guardiola told reporters: “Yes (he’s okay). He felt at the last moment not well and a little bit ill but he’s fine. We just have to keep monitoring him and see if he will be ready for the next game (Tottenham).”
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Ange Postecoglou explains why 23-year-old Tottenham star has ‘suffered’ from game time this season
Tottenham have their own injury concerns
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is without two of his favourite right-left backs with Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies all injured. Over the weekend they played Oliver Skipp at left back before the Australian manager moved things around with Radu Dragusin coming on and Micky van de Ven moving to left back where he scored the winner.
Against City, they will need to get their best players firing with both James Maddison and Yves Bissouma all struggling for form at the tail end of what promised to be an exciting start to the season before the wheels came off.
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Manchester City are hoping to become the only English club to have won the Premier League four times in the role but to do that they will have to win at a ground they haven’t managed to do in the league under Guardiola.
Related topics:Pep GuardiolaManchester CityJack GrealishTottenhamFulhamEnglandWolvesJames MaddisonYves BissoumaPremier LeagueBen Davies
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Roy Keane predicts who’ll win the Premier League right after Arsenal beat Manchester United.
Roy Keane has delivered his verdict on this season’s Premier League title race between Arsenal and Manchester City.
Following Manchester City’s convincing 4-0 win at Fulham on Saturday, the pressure was on Arsenal to deliver at Old Trafford today.
Mikel Arteta’s side got the job done with a 1-0 victory thanks to Leandro Trossard’s first-half effort.
It means the title race will go right down to the final day of the season, with the Gunners currently relying on City to drop points in their final two games.
City will travel to Tottenham on Tuesday before hosting West Ham while Arsenal face a home game against Everton on Sunday. It looks as if they will be hoping for a favour from their north London rivals next week.
Now, Roy Keane has shared his thoughts on the title race following Arsenal’s win at United today.
READ MORE: David Seaman makes Premier League title prediction after Arsenal and Manchester City wins
Keane’s Premier League title prediction
Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane explained why he cannot see past City regaining the title.
“I questioned Manchester City four or five weeks ago, thinking to myself that I’m not quite sure they can do it,” the Manchester United legend said.
“But in the last few weeks I don’t know why I even doubted them. The quality and strength in their squad, players off the bench are world-class, a world-class manager in Pep, everything. They are just a machine.
“Even yesterday away to Fulham, far from an easy game and they win by four goals. You just can’t see them being stopped now.”
Keane changes mind on title race
Back in December, Keane backed Arsenal or Liverpool to capture the title over City after watching Guardiola’s men draw 3-3 with Spurs at home.
He has since switched between Arsenal and City but it would appear that he has settled on the reigning champions for the time being.
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