Manchester City’s young star welcomed into first team after outstanding display
Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team are preparing to add a new member to their first-team training sessions, as reported recently.
This development comes at a crucial time in the season, with City’s coaching staff delighted to have a full squad to choose from for the upcoming fixtures across various competitions.
The return of Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji from their respective injuries has further strengthened the team, joining the likes of John Stones, Jeremy Doku, and Kevin De Bruyne to bring City back to full strength.
Despite the January transfer window being closed, the first-team squad continues to be bolstered by new additions from within the football club and the Academy system.
According to a recent report from Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, Kian Breckin is back at the City Football Academy after training with Stockport County during the latter stages of the January transfer window.
Although Stockport County reportedly agreed to match Breckin’s Manchester City salary as part of a loan agreement, the deal did not come to fruition.
As a result, Kian Breckin will now train with the Manchester City first-team squad, with the Etihad Stadium officials believing it will be more beneficial to the 20-year-old after a difficult experience with Wycombe Wanderers.
Despite expectations for a positive experience, Breckin’s loan spell at Wycombe was deemed disastrous, with just nine appearances across all competitions and 585 minutes on the field for his temporary club.
The move to have Breckin train with the first-team squad at Manchester City is seen as a way to provide him with better development and opportunities.
This decision reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing the best possible environment for young players to thrive.
With the addition of Breckin, Manchester City aims to continue strengthening their squad for the future and maintaining their competitiveness in various competitions.
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Erling Haaland ©: Getty Images
Erling Haaland scored for the first time since November as the Manchester City striker’s double fired the champions to the top of the Premier League with a gritty 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side were well below their best as they laboured to break down stubborn Everton at a nervous Etihad Stadium.
But Haaland struck twice late in the second half to get back on the scoresheet for the first time since returning from an absence of nearly two months due to a foot injury.
They were the Norway star’s first Premier League goals since he netted against Liverpool on November 25 and his first in five games in all competitions since he scored against Leipzig in the Champions League on November 28.
City are back on top of the table for the first time since November 24, but Liverpool, who are one point behind in second place, will return to the summit if they beat lowly Burnley at Anfield later on Saturday.
Guardiola’s men have won their last 10 games in all competitions, but the Spaniard might be a little concerned with the labourious way they took to the task against struggling Everton.
City are unbeaten in their last 22 league games at the Etihad, but third bottom Everton didn’t make it easy for them.
Everton’s haven’t beaten City since 2017 but Guardiola had painful memories of a 1-1 draw against the Merseysiders last season and had urged his players not to let their guard down.
City monopolised over 80 per cent of the possession in the first half an hour, they found it impossible to prise open Everton’s massed defence.
Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden had shots blocked as Everton threw themselves into tackles with abandon.
Haaland stretched to head over from Jeremy Doku’s cross when Foden was lurking in a more dangerous position behind the striker.
HAALAND TO THE RESCUE
Guardiola cut an anxious figure on the touchline, constantly gesticulating towards his players in a bid to get them to pass quicker and with more precision.
Everton keeper Jordan Pickford raced off his line to beat Matheus Nunes to the ball right on the edge of the area.
There was a warning for City when Jack Harrison blasted over from Ashley Young’s cross.
When the ball dropped kindly for Manuel Akanji inside the Everton area, the City defender looked certain to break the deadlock, but James Tarkowski made a last-ditch block as VAR ignored the hosts’ appeals for handball.
It was the first time City had failed to have a shot on target in the first half of a home league game since August 2022.
As City’s angst mounted, Rodri’s woeful long-range strike sailed into the stands to the sound of frustrated groans from home fans.
Guardiola had seen enough of City’s struggles and sent on Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker early in the second half.
City belatedly found some rhythm and their longest wait for a shot on target in a league game since September 2021 finally ended in the 71st minute.
Everton made a hash of clearing a corner and the ball broke for Haaland, whose fierce strike deflected in off Pickford’s leg to spark wild celebrations from the Norwegian and his relieved teammates.
Guardiola this week said you don’t need a Harvard education to understand the threat posed by Haaland and De Bruyne.
Everton clearly hadn’t studied hard enough on that subject as De Bruyne’s precise pass sent Haaland motoring towards goal.
Over-powering Jarrad Branthwaite, Haaland left the Everton defender flailing on the turf as he sprinted clear to slot a cool finish past Pickford as he marked his 50th Premier League start in style.
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