Posts Tagged ‘manchester city’
Manchester City: Raheem Sterling scored on his debut for The Citizens. Within three minutes for his new club, the former Liverpool player set about justifying City’s £49 million investment.
City won the game against Roma in Melbourne 5-4 on penalties.
All good, then. Well, it was until Liverpool wage-nicker Mario Balotelli took to twitter:
Well done @sterling 31 !
Having praised the man who rejected Liverpool, Balotelli picked up on the Liverpool fans sat in the stands who booed Sterling. He ordered them to stop:
“Liverpool fans are amazing but i hope @sterling31 will play at his best because he deserve it. He’s a good guy young and talented…. support him Like you always did.
“He gave everything to this club and respect it so im sad to see this. YNWA, Liverpool is a family ALWAYS”.
If ‘walking’ Balotelli wasn’t enough to irritate football fans tired of the football family balls and being treated as a mere audience, we get to hear the views of Samir Nasri. The Sun writes:
Sterling was jeered as he made his City debut in yesterday’s clash with Roma at the Melbourne Cricket Ground…
Nasri said: “You always have stupid fans in the stadium and the same thing happened to me when I left Arsenal. You have to move on. He has come to Manchester City and you have to respect his decision.”
Oh, do put a sock in it. Fans don’t have to respect anyone or anything, especially a man who rejects the chance to earn a fortune doing a job they’d do for free.
Nasri then adds:
“This is a game between Roma and Manchester City in Melbourne! We didn’t expect anything like that from these fans, so it is a surprise. But if he needs any advice about that, then he can come and talk to me.”
The advice would be that Liverpool are a bigger club than Man City. (The match was watched by 41,000 fans. When Liverpool played Melbourne Victory at the MCG , 95000 fans were there.)
Money does not buy you love. And if anyone in your ‘family’ demands more pocket money to remain part of the clan or else, show them the door.
Anorak
Posted: 22nd, July 2015 | In: Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
So. Fabian Delph said he wouldn’t leave Aston Villa for Manchester City – and then he did. Money; the craven and all-too common mantra “I want to win things” (why not win things with your existing club?); and, well, the money all played parts in Delph’s about turn.
But what about the Daily Mirror, which heralded Delph as the antidote to greed:
On July 13 David Kidd’s column was headlined:
Raheem Sterling has backed himself to shine at a top club, Fabian Delph’s bottled out.
Bottler!
On July 17, Kidd’s column was headlined:
Fabian Delph U-turn is further proof that loyalty is dead in the Premier League.
Judas!
He can’t win in the Mirror but at least Delph now has a better chance of winning on a football pitch.
Anorak
Posted: 20th, July 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Fabian Delph is no longer Aston Villa captain having signed a five-year contract at Manchester City. A few days ago, Delph “set the record straight” over his future, stating on Villa’s website:
“I’m aware there has been intense media speculation surrounding my future in the last 24 hours and I want to set the record straight. I’m not leaving. I’m staying at the football club and I can’t wait for the start of the season and captaining this great football club.”
But then, as the story goes, he spoke with City’s Micah Richards. Says Delph:
“Micah Richards told me that as far as he is concerned, this is the best club in the world and he had the time of his life here.”
But give it a week and Richards might tell you it’s rubbish.
Anorak
Posted: 17th, July 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: It’s been a busy few weeks of doing nothing for Aston Villa’s Fabian Villa Delph.
July 10, Daily Mail: “Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph set to complete £8m transfer to Manchester City”
The Mail says that in the “next 24 hours”, Delph will be a Manchester City player.
July 10, The Daily Mirror:
The Mirror says Delph is on his way to Man City. But those 24 hours are now 48 hours.
July 11, The Sun: “FABIAN DELPH has dramatically snubbed an £8million move to Manchester City.”
England midfielder Delph said: “I want to set the record straight, I’m not leaving. I’m staying at the football club and I can’t wait for the start of the season and captaining this great football club.”
Delph stays!
Such are the facts…
Anorak
Posted: 11th, July 2015 | In: Manchester City, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: It’s time to talk about Manchester City’s next manager.
Today The Daily Star reports that Man City are looking to sack Manuel Pellegrini and replace the affable Chilean with current Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola.
No, not Diego Siemone, as reported in the, er, Daily Star:
The media really do want Pelligrini out:
March 13, 2015, TalkSport: “Manuel Pellegrini will be sacked this summer if Manchester City fail to land the Premier League title.”
Apr 10 2015, The Independent: Can Man United get Manuel Pellegrini sacked?
April 13, 2015, the Guardian: “Manchester City could sack Pellegrini before end of season”
April 13, 2015, Daily Star: “Patrick Vieira could be made caretaker-boss of Manchester City if the club decide to sack Manuel Pellegrini.”
April 15, 2015, The Times: “Manchester City are not targeting Jürgen Klopp in the event that Manuel Pellegrini is sacked as manager”
May 3, 2015, Mirror: “Manchester City MUST sack Manuel Pellegrini if they want to win the title back next season”
May 9, 2015, The Metro: “Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola ‘agrees to sign for Manchester City’”
May 10, 2015, Daily Express: “Manuel Pellegrini faces the sack as Man City begin complete summer overhaul”
And he’s replaced by…
May 15, 2015, Daily Express: “Chelsea hero Carlo Ancelotti AGREES summer move to Manchester City”
Or not…
Anorak
Posted: 1st, July 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Trasnfer Balls: The Sun days Manchester CIty are “close” to paying £60million battle for Juventus and France star Paul Pogba.
With City fans excited the Sun then supplies the facts:
Etihad boss Manuel Pellegrini believes he has beaten off Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid to capture the most sought-after young star in football.
Believes?
And City hope the signing of midfield powerhouse Pogba, 22, from Juventus will be tied up before they make a final move for Liverpool rebel Raheem Sterling.
Hopes?
They believe he will make them a major force in the Champions League and increase their global support.
Ana what does that mean for City’s £50m chase for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling?
City’s determination to land Pogba means they may hang fire on making another bid for Sterling.
May?
All total balls, then.
And as the Daily Mail puts it:
Paul Pogba ‘very excited’ to join Barcelona
Adding:
Barcelona presidential election candidate Joan Laporta has said that Paul Pogba wants to come to the Catalan club…
Such are the facts…
Anorak
Posted: 26th, June 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: a look at rubbish football rpeoting in the mainstream media. Today the Daily Express says Manchester will pay £50m for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling. Having had a £40m offer rejected, the Express is hardly alone in reasoning is that City will offer more for the talented young English player.
The Express says this is an “exclusive”. And it is one – in much the same way that the contents of you toilet are exclusive to that toilet.
John Richardson writes:
As Sunday Express Sport has revealed Liverpool are prepared to sell the 20-year-old but not for a penny under £50 million.
As all papers, blogs, radio stations and carrier pigeons have also revealed, Sterling wants to leave Liverpool and the Reds wants to get as much as they can for the player.
Sources close to the Merseyside club have indicated that City won’t drop their interest for the sake of another £10 million in a summer in which they are committed to bringing in top English talent.
These sources are unnamed. They are also on the Liverpool side of the deal. The Express‘ scoop about what Manchester City will do contains not a single word from anyone at Manchester City.
Anorak
Posted: 21st, June 2015 | In: Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Manchester City’s £40m Raheem Sterling bid will not to be succesful. Liverpool are digging their heels in, demanding £50 million for the English tyro. QPR, Sterling’s old club watch with intersted – 20% of any fee goes to them.
City have offered £35 plus £5m in performance-related payments.
City are desperate for homefrown talent to ensure that they comply with Uefa regulation. And they are the only City to have made any official offer for him.
But Sterling wants to play in London. Which leaves Sterling hoping that Arsenal or Chelsea offer Liverpool that £50m. Good luck waiting for that, Raheem.
Anorak
Posted: 18th, June 2015 | In: Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
The less he plays for the Liverpool, the more his value rises. So it is for Raheem Sterling, who is now the subject of a £40m bid from desperate Manchester City.
Liverpool will, of course, reject the offer. City have upped their bid from £30m to £40m in a matter of days. Liverpool know that making City wait for prime, young English talent will only increase his price.
Liverpool want £50 million for Sterling. When that was announced, it looked high. But now it looks reasonable.
City will make the offer. And it looks very much like no-one else will.
Anorak
Posted: 17th, June 2015 | In: Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
The Sun says Manchester City manager Manuel Pelligrini will be given a “blank cheque” to make his team Champion League winners. But very quickly into the story that blank cheque features a figure:
…owner Sheikh Mansour is ready to bankroll bids for the likes of Paul Pogba, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling — worth £160million.
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 11th, June 2015 | In: Manchester City, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Is Pep Guardiola heading to become the next manager of Manchester City? The Sun has been relating the story.
On Friday May 8, curent Manchester City boss Manuel Pelligrini was “sweating”. He would learn his fate when he meets the club owners later this month.
By May 11, Pelligrini was “cool”.
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 12th, May 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
The Daily Star is reporting in an “EXCLUSIVE” that Manchester City and Chelsea want on sign Everton’s Ross Barkley. The Star adds that the two clubs can have Barkley for £50m.
That is, of course, a ludicrous sum for a promising player. But if Everton can get that much for a young player whose form has dipped, then good luck to them.
The Star’s report contains not a single quote from either Manchester City or Chelsea. It just tells readers that – incredible as it sounds – both clubs would prefer to spend less to buy Barkely.
In the frenzied world of bullshit.com football reporting, The Metro reads the Star’s story and tells its readers:
Chelsea transfer news: Chelsea line up £50million signing of Everton star Ross Barkley
No. They are not. Everton apparently want £50m for their rising star. We’ve read that Chelsea would like to buy him. But any talk of a bid is nonsense.
Over in the Sunday People news is that City will offer £35m Everton for Ross Barkley.
That’s a £10m drop on the £45m the Telegraph said Manchester City were going to bid.
The People’s story also contains not a single fact to support its scoop.
Such are the facts…
Anorak
Posted: 29th, March 2015 | In: Chelsea, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls catches sight of the Daily Star’s lead sports story that Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is off to Manchester City for £30m.
This story is billed as an “EXCLUSIVE”.
Paul Hetheington has the exclusive facts:
England ace Wilshere, 23, is one of the potential targets mentioned by Etihad Stadium bosses.
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 8th, March 2015 | In: Arsenal, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: did you know that James Milner is desperate to join Liverpool. The Daily Express has an “exclusive”:
EXCLUSIVE: James Milner warned by Liverpool to drop wage demands to seal free transfer
James Milner, the Manchester City tyro – still wanted by perennial Premier League title contenders and super-rich club Manchester City – has been “warned” that he could miss out on playing for Liverpool?
John Richardson tells his readers:
The 29-year-old midfielder sees his Etihad contract, worth around £120,000 a week, run down [sic] at the end of the season, making him a free agent.
Talks are at an advanced stage to allow Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, whose side face Milner’s Manchester City today, to add him to his squad next season but the Anfield club have made it clear that they won’t shatter their wage structure to accommodate the former Leeds United, Newcastle and Aston Villa man.
Shatter? This is the same Liverpool who signed Mario Balotelli for £16m and pay him £125,000-a-week:
“I think we have done a really smart piece of business here,” said Reds boss Brendan Rodgers. “This transfer represents outstanding value for the club.”
We’re sure Milner’s agents are worried sick about breaking that Liverpool wage structure. If they don’t where on erath will England internatioanl James Milner find work?
Richardson adds:
If he is prepared to take a pay cut then a deal could be sealed at the end of the season.
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 1st, March 2015 | In: Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls catches news of Wolfsburg winger Kevin De Bruyne, 23. The BBC notes that the former Chelsea player “says he would be open to a Premier League return”.
One game we play is to see if the media can link a player with all five of the big clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
The BBC says “with Manchester United mulling over a £30m bid for the former Chelsea player”.
The BBC delivers this as fact. Only at the end does it say the source for the scoop is the Daily Express.
Over there, the paper reports:
How badly does Kevin De Bruyne want to play for Manchester United? He’s quoted:
“I feel very much at home with VfL Wolfsburg in this very moment. I am able to sign a new contract with Wolfsburg. Life in football can be fast moving. Football is much about money. Wolfsburg is not yet like Bayern Munich, of course. And my biggest ambition is to come out for a big European club. One I can win trophies with. As much trophies as possible.”
That would be Real Madrid, then. Or Bayern Munich. Or PSG. Or… Or… De Bruyne makes not single mention of Manchester Untied, who are not even in this season’s Champions’ League and not close to winning the Premier League.
The Daily Star then spins the balls to take in Chelsea and Arsenal.
Oh. And Manchester City:
And over in the Sun, the news is that De Bruyne is a…Liverpool fan.
It’s a Full House of Balls.
Such are the facts.
Anorak
Posted: 26th, February 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
The Daily Telegraph likes ‘Five Things…”. It tops and tails most big football matches with a routine ‘Five Things We Learned About…” story. This week it’s been writing about Barcelona before and after the Catalans’ Champions’ League match with Manchester City.
Before the game, Richard Martin was being schooled at Barcelona’s game with Malaga:
After telling class that “City have no reason to fear Barcelona (1.) and Daniel Alves is “sad” (2.) we learn:
3. Luis Suarez is far from the goal machine he was at Liverpool
4. Lionel Messi can be tamed with the right tactics
5. Barcelona’s midfield is not what it was
Suarez scored both goals in a comfortable 2-1 win, which would have been 3-1 had Lionel Messi not missed yet another penalty and prevented Suarez lashing in the rebound.
After the game, Mark Ogden had “Five Things…
1. Kompany is not brilliant; 2. 4-4-2 didn’t work; Agüero is really good; City fans don’t sing and dance all that much when they team are being beaten; and – gawd…. he must get to five. So, here goes nothing:
5: Barcelona playing in “ridiculous” yellow was “another low”.
Talking of lows, the Telegraph used to be the best newspaper. Not any more it isn’t…
Anorak
Posted: 25th, February 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: a look at utter drivel passed off as football fact in the mainstream media. Today the Daily Express has news on Manchester City and England footballer James Milner:
EXCLUSIVE: Man City ace James Milner considering Arsenal and Liverpool offers
Is he? Richard Tanner says Milner is:
Liverpool, it is understood, are tempting him with the prospect of becoming Steve Gerrard’s replacement in their engine room.
Understood by whom? Reader aren’t told. There are no quotes. No sources. It is merely “understood”.
Arsenal, too, see his tenacity, energy and bristling aggression as the perfect foil for some of their more sublime talents.
Again, this claim is supported by nothing.
This huge “EXCLUSIVE” comes on the back of other exclusives linking Milner with Arsenal and Liverpool, which have been running for over a year:
Such are the facts…
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 12th, February 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Football Balls: a look at football journalism in the mainstream Press.
The Daily Mail’s Joe Bernstein looks at the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester City. The Citizens won 4-1. Stoke’s goal was scored by Peter Crouch. In his “MATCH ZONE” column, Bernstein writes:
“Crouch Gem Causes Family Rift”
The story is that Peter Crouch’s mother is a “stuanch Manchester City supportter who is very keen to see them overhaul Chelsea in the title race”.
This is given as the reason she’d have enjoyed Crouch’s goal that tied the scores at 1-1.
The headline-making “FAMILY RIFT” is because “Crouch’s father Bruce is a lifelong fan” of Chelsea – “so would have been firmly behind his son.” It’s more of a bond.
So. That rift is because both Peter Crouch’s parents love it when he scores. So, er, no rift at all, then.
Such are the facts in the Mail‘s MATCH ZONE.
Anorak
Posted: 12th, February 2015 | In: Chelsea, Manchester City, Sports | Comment (1)
In “Yaya Gaga” (?), the Sun says Manchester City “have not won a Prem game without Toure…but they still won’t rush him back”.
City have “not won any of the SIX Premier League matches they have played without Toure this season”.
The story is clear: without Toure, City don’t win. City are a one-man team.
Earlier this season, City defeated Spurs 4-1.
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 9th, February 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: a look at football rumour and speculation being presented as fact in the mainstresm media. Today the Sun says “MANCHESTER UNITED can have Barcelona star Dani Alves for FREE — if they offer him a three-year deal.”
The Sun says Alves, 31, wants a new three-year £100,000-a-week Barcalona contract. If that fails to materialise, he’ll go to Manchester City or Manchester United for no transfer fee if they can match his wage demands.
In other news, Yahoo! reported on May 14 that “Dani Alves has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Paris Saint-Germain”.
The Daily Express says Alves has agreed to join Manchester United:
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 8th, February 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: it’s the Daily Paul Pogba. let’s see what utter balls the mainstream media is reporting on Pogba, the Juventus player.
Today, Ben Jefferson tells Daily Express readers:
Juve to let Paul Pogba LEAVE for Chelsea, Man Utd or Arsenal after move for Axel Witsel
So. Pogba is off to the Premier League. But where to?
United and Chelsea have been joined by Arsenal in the hunt for Pogba…
We know this because the Express says it’s so. But there are no quotes, sources or facts to support the statement.
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 29th, January 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer Balls: Is Radamel Falcao staying at Manchester United?
The Sunday Times has news:
ARSENAL, Liverpool and Manchester City have inquired about Radamel Falcao’s availability as the Colombian struggles to nail down a place in Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United starting XI.
Yeah. The player who commands a salary of – get this – £265,000 a week (!!), who has scored three times for Manchester United this season and has a history of injury is interesting Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Says who?
Falcao, right, is said to have been left ‘perplexed and bemused’ by his treatment at United…
Read the rest of this entry »
Anorak
Posted: 19th, January 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester City are buying Lionel Messi. Well, sort of. The Sun leads with news that City “CAN”get Messi.
The “City Transfer Taunt” leads to a news story based on a line.
MANUEL PELLEGRINI has opened the door to a bank-busting Manchester City move for Lionel Messi.
How?
Pellegrini spoke about Messi after completing a £28million deal for Swansea striker Wilfried Bony.
Well, sort of. He was aked about Messi. And he replied:
“It’s normal we are linked with the best players in the market.”
And the taunt? That’s it. The £480m deal?
Messi, 27, has a £210m buy-out clause in his contract… The Argentine maestro would expect a six-year deal worth around £270m, taking any switch to a staggering £480m.
But if Messi won’t come to Pellegrini, will Pelligrini go to Messi at Barcelona?
“They are just rumours. I am very happy at City and I still have a year and a half on my contract.”
In other news, espn says today:
Lionel Messi: Why only Man Utd and Real Madrid can afford to buy him
The Mail reported a week ago:
Lionel Messi commits his future to Barcelona after Chelsea and PSG interest
Such are the facts…
Anorak
Posted: 15th, January 2015 | In: Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Seven minutes into Manchester City’s FA Cup tie with Sheffiueld Wednesday, former England footballer Trevor Sinclair told BBC viewers:
“It’s refreshing to hear a foreign manager like Manuel Pellegrini say he wants to win the FA Cup. You look at the depth of City’s squad and it would be rude for them not to take it seriously. If City are mentally right then they will get through this tie.”
Oh, those funny foreigners. Let’s see if they care about winning the FA Cup:
2000 Gianluca Vialli Italy Chelsea
2001 Gérard Houllier France
2002 Arsène Wenger France
2003 Arsène Wenger France
2004 Alex Ferguson Scotland
2005 Arsène Wenger France
2006 Rafael Benítez Spain
2007 José Mourinho Portugal
2008 Harry Redknapp England
2009 Guus Hiddink Netherlands
2010 Carlo Ancelotti Italy
2011 Roberto Mancini Italy
2012 Roberto Di Matteo Italy
2013 Roberto Martínez Spain
2014 Arsène Wenger France
Scots teams aren’t involved in the FA Cup. So. Only one Englishman has ‘bothered’ to win the thing this Century.
PS: This past weekend, Premier League managers Harry Redknapp (QPR) and Steve Bruce (Hull) fielded weakened sides. Both lost. Both Bruce and Redknapp are English.
Anorak
Posted: 5th, January 2015 | In: Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls looks at players being linked to Manchester City in the January sale season. Rumour, speculation and downright balls are presented as fact by the mainstream media. So far this January, the media experts have told us that following players are all on their way to City:
Ross Barkley:
The Indy:
Ross Barkley could be about to light up the January transfer window and become the record English signing in the process, according to reports. It is understood that Everton are willing to consider selling their star, possibly for as much as £60m, in order to fund a general strengthening of their squad. According to reports, Roberto Martinez is willing to listen to offers over £45m for Barkley, as he looks to avoid slipping down the table and into a relegation battle.
Links to said “reports”: zero.
Lionel Messi:
Daily Star: “Man City remain hopeful of beating Chelsea to Lionel Messi in INCREDIBLE £200m deal”
Incredible!
Christian Benteke:
The Sun: “Manchester City are plotting a swoop for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 24”
Lacazette and Fekir:
Daily Express: “Man City plot DOUBLE SWOOP to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to Lyon stars Lacazette and Fekir MANCHESTER CITY are looking to beat Liverpool to Alexandre Lacazette and Arsenal to Nabil Fekir.”
Bozhidar Kraev:
The Guardian: “Levski Sofia’s Bozhidar Kraev arrives for Manchester City trial”
Dennis Praet:
Daily Mail: “Manchester City are eying a deal for Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet, 20”
Joaquin Correa:
Daily Mail: “Manchester City join Chelsea in race to sign £8m Argentina midfielder Joaquin Correa”
Wilfried Bony:
Daily Mirror: “Manchester City eye transfer of Swansea’s Wilfried Bony for a bumper £25million fee”
Daily Star: “City are reportedly leading the £20m chase for Bony’s signature, but may face competition from current league leaders Chelsea, who are also keeping tabs on him.”
Julian Draxler:
Daily Star: “Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler, although the German side want £25m for the 21-year-old.”
No-one:
Daily Mail: “Manchester City will NOT be adding to their squad in January due to Financial Fair Play sanctions, says Manuel Pellegrini”
Running total: players in: 8.
Anorak
Posted: 5th, January 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
