The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Manchester City

  • Hart: I´m not wanted at Manchester City

    Hart: I´m not wanted at Manchester City

    Joe Hart believes he is “surplus to requirements” at Manchester City and cannot foresee a return to his parent club.

    The 29-year-old England goalkeeper joined Torino on a season-long loan in August when new City boss Pep Guardiola made it clear that Hart would not be his first choice.

    And despite the shaky form of Claudio Bravo since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, Hart believes his days as a City shot-stopper are numbered.

    “I’d say I’m pretty much surplus to requirements at my parent club at the moment,” Hart told the BBC’s Premier League Show.

    When asked if he saw that situation changing, Hart replied: “Not really. I’ve got to be realistic. I love that club and I’ve always said that as long as they wanted me, I would be there.

    “But I was always cautious when I said that because I’m aware that at the big, big clubs stuff can change quickly as can opinions and people in charge.

    “Not everyone is going to like you, not everyone is going to want to play you and that’s the business side of it, which I’ve grown into and I’m certainly not going to take personally.

    “I want to play football, I love to play football so if that opportunity is not going to be given there then I’m going to have to look elsewhere and may have to make somewhere else my home.”

    Despite his arrival leading to Hart’s departure from the club he first joined in 2006, the goalkeeper says he holds no animosity towards Guardiola.

    “He did what he had to do, he did what he felt was right. He didn’t do it to ruin my life, he did it because he thought that was what was right for him to win as a manager,” he said.

    Hart would not be drawn on his likely destination if he did leave City permanently.

    “I’m open. I love the Premier League, I absolutely love Premier League games. Removing myself as a footballer, I watch the Premier League. It’s a great league, fantastic football is played in it,” he said.

  • Gabriel Jesus picks up guitar to aid recovery

    Gabriel Jesus picks up guitar to aid recovery

     

     

    Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has plenty of time to kill after being ruled out through injury.

    The Brazil star could miss the rest of the season after breaking his metatarsal in the Premier League clash with Bournemouth in February, but he has been able to keep his spirits up, and now has a new pastime to take his mind off the pain.

    Gabriel Jesus was pictured on his Instagram account with his guitar as he relaxed on his bed

    The 19-year-old has been forced to wear a protective boot as he steps up his recovery in a bid to play at least some part for Pep Guardiola’s side before the end of the season.

    However, that hasn’t stopped the Brazilian from getting out and about, with Gabriel spotted out last week to celebrate his mother’s birthday at the San Carlo restaurant.

    The player was at home on Wednesday night as he watched City book their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup from the comfort of his own home.

    The player posted a short video on his Instagram story as he watched the BBC coverage as his team-mates easily swept aside the Championship outfit 5-1.

    City have yet to announce when they expect to have their £27million man back in training, but any news of a return before the season ends would be music to the fans’ ears.

  • FA Cup: Iheanacho completes rout as Man City whip Huddersfield 5-1

    FA Cup: Iheanacho completes rout as Man City whip Huddersfield 5-1

    Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho on Wednesday scored the fifth and last goal of the match as Manchester City whipped Huddersfield 5-1 in a last 16 replay at the Etihad Stadium.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that substitute Iheanacho who came in for Sergio Aguero in the 79th minute completed City’s 5-1 rout in the 90th minute.

    The goal was indeed the final act of an impressive display from Man City, who came from behind to seal a handsome win.

    Manchester City cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals after fighting back to beat much-changed Championship promotion hopefuls Huddersfield in their fifth-round replay.

    After a 0-0 draw in the original tie, the visitors led when Harry Bunn’s shot went through Claudio Bravo’s legs.

    But tap-ins from Leroy Sane and Pablo Zabaleta, with Sergio Aguero’s clinical penalty in between, turned the replay in City’s favour before half-time.

    Aguero swept in Raheem Sterling’s cross at the near post for City’s fourth, before substitute Kelechi Iheanacho poked in with the last kick of the game.

    NAN also reports that with the victory City have moved into the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time in four seasons.

    City last won the FA Cup in 2011. They lost to Wigan in the final two years later. (NAN)

  • Ihenacho the bridegroom as Man City unveils new suit

    Ihenacho the bridegroom as Man City unveils new suit

     

     

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Ihenacho was looking more like a ready bridegroom as Manchester City unveiled new club suits designed by DSQUARED2. The 21 year old was not only smart in the new suits but could pass for young man set for the Altar with his new bride.

    Manchester City may arguably play the best football in the Premier League and now they will perhaps look the most stylish off the field as well.

    The Etihad Stadium outfit unveiled a new club suit on Monday, which is exclusively designed by renowned fashion brand DSQUARED2.

    City and DSQUARED2, an Italian brand, announced their multi-year partnership in October last year. Since then, DSQUARED2 have dressed the club’s players and coaching staff in their pre-match outfits for away Champions League matches.

    To celebrate the arrival of City’s new suit, the founders and designers, Dean and Dan Caten said: ‘We wanted the players to feel as confident in this suit as they do when they pull on their team jersey.

    City hit the headlines back in October last year when they jetted off to Barcelona for their Champions League match in eye-catching double denim outfits, made by international fashion house DSQUARED2.

    They were all dressed the same in casual travelling attire as they were pictured arriving at Manchester Airport ahead of their flight to Barcelona.

  • Rooney breaks Man Utd scoring record with injury-time equaliser

    Rooney breaks Man Utd scoring record with injury-time equaliser

    Wayne Rooney on Saturday became Manchester United’s all-time leading goal scorer with a sensational stoppage-time free-kick that rescued a point at Stoke City.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that substitute Rooney curled in from the left-hand corner of the penalty box for his 250th United goal, one more than Sir Bobby Charlton.

    Stoke looked set for a third straight Premier League win, clinging to a lead given to them when Juan Mata poked Erik Pieters’ cross into his own net in the 18th minute.

    Rooney, so often the fulcrum of the United side since joining from Everton as an 18-year-old in 2004, has had to make do with a bit-part role under Jose Mourinho this season.

    Indeed, this 546th appearance came from the bench, but still delivered a moment of history.

    United had been frustrated for so long by Stoke’s stoic defence and their own wastefulness, and a free-kick awarded just outside the home penalty area looked to be the visitors’ last chance as five minutes of added time ticked down.

    Rooney, largely ineffective since joining the action, looked prime to cross, but instead arced a wonderful, dipping, right-footed shot inside the far post past the previously unbeatable Grant.

    Not only did the 31-year-old pass the mark of Charlton that had stood since 1973, but he gave United a point that looked to have gone.

    United wasted chances, hit the woodwork and were denied by Potters keeper Lee Grant.

    But their 25th and final effort at goal preserved a 17-game unbeaten run, albeit if the dropped points mean they lose ground in the race for the top four.

    They are three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and 11 off leaders Chelsea, who both play on Sunday. (NAN)

  • Man City pays record sum for 13-year-old

    Man City pays record sum for 13-year-old

     

     

     

    Premier League high-flyers Manchester City paid a record 175 000 pounds ($215 000) to sign 13-year-old defender Finley Burns from third-tier Southend United last week, it was confirmed on Friday.

    The Times said the overall cost of the transfer could rise to more than 250 000 pounds if Burns goes on to sign professional terms at the Abu Dhabi-owned club.

    No fee or details about subsequent payments were given by either club at the time of Burns’s signing.

    The Times said City’s outlay was unprecedented for a 13-year-old, with the club paying almost 150 000 more than they were obliged to under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).

    The plan governs the compensation given to clubs who lose academy players.

    “There were four or five Premier League clubs after Finley in the end and it’s extremely difficult to keep hold of a boy once that’s happens,” Southend’s head of youth football Ricky Duncan said last week.

    “He would have had a 10-day window of opportunity to look elsewhere at the end of the season so this was the best way to do it. He’s a great kid from a nice family and everything was sorted out amicably which is how it should be.”

    City have paid big sums on young players in the past, spending a reported 200 000 pounds for Spanish youth player Brahim Diaz in 2013 and 500 000 pounds on winger Jadon Sancho in 2015.

    Both players were 14 at the time of their transfers.

  • Manchester City charged under anti-doping rules

    Manchester City charged under anti-doping rules

     

    Manchester City have been charged in relation to the Football Association’s rules on anti-doping, under which it is alleged the Premier League side failed to ensure their “club whereabouts” information was accurate.
    City have until next Thursday, January 19, to respond to the charge.
    A statement issued by the FA said the club’s alleged failure to provide whereabouts information was contrary to its regulation 14(d).
    As outlined in the organisation’s anti-doping handbook, the regulation means all clubs must ensure details relating to the times, dates and venues of training sessions are “in the manner directed by the FA”.
    Regulation 14(d) states: “It shall also be a breach of this regulation 14 by the club if the information contained in such reports is either initially inaccurate or has not been updated by the club as necessary to ensure it remains accurate.”

  • Man City’s Sagna to explain Instagram post, FA insists

    Man City’s Sagna to explain Instagram post, FA insists

    The Football Association (FA) on Tuesday asked Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna to explain the “10 against 12’’ Instagram post he made after his side’s 2-1 win over Burnley.

    City was reduced to 10 men in the 32nd minute when referee Lee Mason sent off midfielder Fernandinho in their Premier League clash on Monday.

    Sagna has deleted the post in question, but the FA has contacted the full-back to ask for his observations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Frenchman has until 17:00 GMT on Friday to respond.

  • Eagles at war! Ahmed Musa, Ihenacho clash at KP stadium

    Eagles at war! Ahmed Musa, Ihenacho clash at KP stadium

    Super Eagle duo of  will be singing discordant tunes as Leicester City and Manchester City lock horns Saturday in search of English premiership points. 
    The two strikers whose relevant to the National team today cannot be underrated have played themselves into the heart of their coaches making it necessary for them to feature in virtually all club matches.
    Ahmed Musa and his teammates are heading into the match fresh from the pains of 5-0 demolition by Porto in the Uefa Champions League just like Manchester City are still leaking the wounds of 3-1 defeat by Chelsea in an ill-tempered premier league clash that saw City dependable goal monger Sergio Aguero getting the marching orders.
    His four games ban many say will increase the pressure on Ihenacho who will be hoping to re-enact the magic he performed in the Champions League clash against visiting Celtic grabbing the equalizer to prevent what would have ended as a home defeat for the Pep Guardiola tutored side.
    Musa’s Leicester will be eager to record victory after three unimpressive runs that includes 2-2 home draw against Middlesborough, away loss to Sunderland before the mother of all losses against Porto.

  • Manchester City celebrate global partnership with TECNO Mobile

     

    Premium mobile phone brand, TECNO Mobile, and the English Premier League’s Manchester City, are celebrating the launch of their new global multi-year partnership.

    As the Official Tablet and Handset Partner of Manchester City Football Club, TECNO Mobile will work with the club to grow their strategic marketing and advertising campaigns across the globe, including Africa where TECNO is already recognised as the market’s leading mobile phone brand.

    TECNO, part of Transsion Holdings, was first established in China and over the last decade has grown its global presence to over 40 emerging markets, where City’s fan base is also strong and continuing to grow every day.

    Speaking at the launch of the global partnership, which took place at the City Football Academy, Manchester City’s elite training and youth development facility, Tom Glick, City Football Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, said:“We are delighted to welcome TECNO Mobile to Manchester City’s growing repertoire of global partners. Its global focus coupled with a commitment to each of its local markets reflects our ethos and we look forward to working with them to connect with Manchester City’s global fan base.”

    Stephen Ha, General Manager of TECNO Mobile, speaking at a launch event at Manchester City’s City Football Academy added: “We are honoured to be partnering with such a successful and well known club as Manchester City, continuing our long association with sport at the highest
    level.

    “Providing our consumers with an unparalleled mobile experience is a top priority for TECNO Mobile and we see
    many similarities with Manchester City when we look at their commitment to delivering a premium match day and digital experience for their fans. We are delighted to join their team and can’t wait to kick start this partnership together.”