Michail Antonio has praised Manchester City’s John Stones for his crucial finish that kickstarted his team’s scoring against Liverpool.
Stones, the English defender, sealed off a cleverly executed set-piece by City, courtesy of a precise delivery from Kevin De Bruyne into the Reds’ penalty area, catching them off guard. With Nathan Ake drawing Alexis Mac Allister towards him, Stones found himself unmarked, positioned perfectly to slot the ball into the net effortlessly.
Antonio emphasizes that the brilliance of Stones’ finish might be overlooked by many, especially considering his defensive role. Despite the goal coming from close range, executing such a finish is far from simple for a defender, highlighting Stones’ skill and composure in front of goal.
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‘Dream’… 21-year-old Man City gem now says he would love to work with Pep, he could replace Walker one day
The 21-year-old, currently on loan at Girona, has consistently been seen as a promising talent, and truth be told, he has proven himself in Spain.
Yet, the lingering question has always been whether Couto could ultimately excel at the Etihad Stadium.
Pedro Porro, another skilled right-back signed by Girona in 2017 before his transfer to City in 2019, found himself loaned out to Real Valladolid and Sporting CP before being sold to the latter in 2022.
Despite Porro’s evident talent, showcased in Portugal and later for Tottenham Hotspur, he fell short of meeting the standards for the Sky Blues.
Yan Couto expresses a “dream” to play under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. However, the Brazilian’s situation may differ from that of the Spurs defender, as a report in late January suggested he is seen as the long-term successor to Kyle Walker at City.
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Manchester City met with one agent of Kylian Mbappe
There have been bold assertions that one of Kylian Mbappe’s agents held a meeting with Manchester City officials a day before the French superstar reportedly informed Paris Saint-Germain of his intention to leave on a free transfer this summer. While speculation surrounds Mbappe’s next destination, with Real Madrid frequently mentioned, an unexpected claim by Cadena SER suggests that an agent of Mbappe was seen in Manchester meeting with City officials in an informal capacity.
This meeting allegedly occurred on Monday, just before Mbappe’s announcement to PSG. The representative, one of three for Mbappe, reportedly engaged with various City officials, even catching the attention of some City players. Interestingly, another representative, a childhood friend of Mbappe, attended Real Madrid’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig in the VIP area.
Despite the intriguing speculation, the likelihood of Manchester City signing Kylian Mbappe appears slim. City, equipped with Erling Haaland, may not have a pressing need for Mbappe. While the Frenchman could be available on a free transfer, the presence of Haaland, a formidable talent in his own right and a potential rival for the Ballon d’Or, raises doubts about Mbappe’s inclination to join City. Previous claims that City’s owners desired Mbappe to play alongside Haaland seem implausible.
Given Mbappe’s outstanding reputation and the long-standing speculation linking him with Real Madrid, it remains a logical choice for the French forward. Real Madrid, despite performing well without him, may still seek a replacement for Karim Benzema. The possibility of City pursuing Mbappe only arises if Haaland were to be sold, a scenario that currently appears unlikely.
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Danny Murphy names ‘the only’ hope Arsenal and Liverpool have of beating Man City to the title
Manchester City is pursuing their fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, but pundit Danny Murphy suggests that Arsenal or Liverpool could thwart their dominance. The 2023/24 title race is intensifying, with City’s recent win over Brentford narrowing the gap to just two points among the top three teams.
Erling Haaland secured the lone goal in the game at the Etihad Stadium, marking a more satisfying evening for him compared to the previous match against Chelsea. The title race may go down to the wire this season, with City, Arsenal, and Liverpool emerging as strong contenders.
Despite being the bookies’ favorites, City has shown defensive vulnerabilities this season. Players like Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, and Ederson have not performed as well as last season, and new signing Josko Gvardiol is adapting to English football in his debut season. City has conceded 26 goals in the league, two more than Liverpool and four more than Arsenal.
Danny Murphy points out that City’s defensive frailties provide hope for Arsenal and Liverpool. According to Murphy, a notable change in City’s system has made them more vulnerable this season. Last season, they often deployed a full-back in midfield to create an extra midfielder. However, this season, the tweak involves a central defender, either Akanji or Stones, moving into midfield from a central position, making them more susceptible.
Former City manager Stuart Pearce also suggests that the high defensive line could be exploited by other teams. City’s defensive struggles this season are evident, and adjustments are needed to regain the solidity they displayed in the second half of the previous season.
