PYKNIC
ˈpɪknɪk
adjective: pyknic; adjective: pycnic
relating to or denoting a stocky physique with a rounded body and head, thickset trunk, and a tendency to fat.
"Thanks to his suspension, City didn't have to deal with Troy Deeney's pyknic presence."
Manchester City January transfer dossier: Alexis Sanchez deal looms large for Pep Guardiola
Clinching a deal for the Chile international could await the club in January,
Jonny Evans could arrive as the club consider defensive reinforcements.
What do you buy for the man who has everything? Some 14 points clear at the summit of the Premier League table and with perhaps the most complete squad in the division's history at his disposal, Pep Guardiola has been given the green light to strengthen a Manchester City side that is already operating at the peak of its powers.
Even with the loss of £50m signing Benjamin Mendy to a serious knee injury and John Stones' recent absence after a hamstring problem, City's irresistible form has not wavered – with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace their only blemish since August.
But with Champions League dreams still waiting to be realised, there is little point in them standing still if the opportunities to strengthen further are there. Even with teams desperate to cling onto their players during the mid-season window, the Manchester club have pockets deep enough to convince most to do business. Whoever Pep wants, Pep could very well get.
What they need
'Need' might not be the right word, but City may benefit from another centre-half among their ranks. While Stones is expected to return in the coming weeks, Vincent Kompany's occasional injury comebacks – the latest of which saw him last just 11 minutes against Newcastle United – leaves room for another option. Questions remain over Eliaquim Mangala and while Fernandinho provides a capable presence when occasionally dropping back, a more natural option would surely be preferred.
Who could join
City may have missed the boat on Virgil van Dijk, with West Bromwich Albion's Jonny Evans a possible alternative. After City failed in their pursuit of the former Manchester United defender in the summer, the Baggies are now prepared to let him go mid-season. Burnley's James Tarkowski and Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez are also options.
The loss of Mendy initially left Guardiola pondering a new left-back, but Fabian Delph's impressive form filling in for the Frenchman on the left may have changed those plans. But with the return of the Champions League and FA Cup commitments, another body could be brought in, with Benfica's Alex Grimaldo formerly linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Of course, the latest instalment of the Alexis Sanchez saga is expected to dominate the month. After his deadline day move from Arsenal fell through in the summer, City will reportedly try to bring the Chile international in this month to bolster an already frightening forward line in a move that could cost in the excess of £50m.
Who could leave
Guardiola shipped out all the noticeable dead wood in the summer and in all honestly, there isn't much left of it lying around. Mangala may fall further down the pecking order should another centre-half arrive in January, but after his display against Manchester United, he may be held onto until the end of the season.
What the manager has said
"In the winter window and summer break we are going to ask everyone if they are happy or not, if they are comfortable being in the position they are - playing or not playing. They have to decide because the future will be like this.
"We always want players that want to stay here." (IBTimes)
Raheem Sterling now has the world at his feet at Manchester City
... and it's all thanks to the hours of endless graft, a notable maturity off the field and Pep Guardiola's special man management
Raheem Sterling returns home from training and puts his feet up for the day. Hours later, he is made aware that a group of children from Jamaica, the country of his birth, are having a coaching session at the Etihad Campus.
He returns to the training ground unannounced, at 9pm. The kids are delighted. Sterling happily poses for pictures and eventually returns home, having provided memories and selfies which will last a lifetime.
Fast forward a few months, and at the same training ground, Sterling is attacked by a racist thug as he reports for duty ahead of a Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Hours later, despite wearing bruises where he has been kicked, he goes on to score two goals in an impressive 4-1 victory for Pep Gaurdiola’s relentless machine.
The stats tell the story. In the Premier League last season, Sterling scored seven goals, assisted six and created seven ‘big chances’. This time around, with games still to play, he has scored 14, made four assists and created six big chances. Some improvement.
On the morning of December 20, at Manchester Magistrates Court, Sterling’s attacker is jailed for 16 weeks after admitting racially aggravated common assault.
Hours later, and just yards away at the city’s Menagerie Bar, Sterling is the life and soul of the staff’s Christmas party, happily mingling with staff and attempting to put the incident to the back of his mind. The three anecdotes above illustrate two things.
Firstly, that Raheem Sterling’s reactions off the field are almost as impressive as they are on it. He sees a situation, evaluates it and then responds accordingly.
Secondly, that this is a player who has matured, who has embraced responsibility and who can now be counted on to do the right thing.
Doing the right thing. So far this season, Sterling has scored a staggering 18 goals across all competitions, the latest of which coming last night and just 38 seconds into City’s park stroll against Watford.
It was a confident, left-footed finish of a man who seemingly has the utmost confidence in his own ability to hit the target. It is also a far cry from parts of last season, when City fans wondered if they were ever going to get an end product from a player who cost £49m when they prised him away from Liverpool in 2015.
But now City are reaping the rewards. So what is it down to? The influence of his manager cannot be overstated. While he may have spent big, Guardiola is a coach who develops players.
With Sterling, he may well have felt like he was inheriting damaged goods. The story of the famous ‘pep talk’ has been written. It goes that City’s then new manager was moved to call his winger after he was dropped for England’s final group game of Euro 2016 amid a barrage of often unjust criticism.
This after his first campaign at City ended in disappointment, with the outgoing Manuel Pellegrini leaving him out of City’s first XI as an underwhelming year drew to a close. Guardiola was full of reassurance. No wonder - Sterling had all the raw attributes of the Catalan’s prototype.
Youth, speed, technical ability and a willingness to learn, which he has clearly benefitted from. But it is not just Guardiola.
Sterling has been regularly staying behind for shooting sessions with assistant Mikel Arteta. Long hours are spent on the art of goalscoring, from getting yourself into the right areas to putting your body in the optimal shape to give yourself the best chance of hitting the target. Sterling has grafted, and goals are his reward.
Sterling has been regularly staying behind for extra training sessions with the City coaches
Then there is the impact of the new signings. The arrivals of Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane will have acted as a great motivator. Sterling knows that if he does not step up, then someone else will be ready to take his place. Last, and by no means least, is Guardiola’s rotating style of football.
It is set up to create chances for all, rather than for one. Sterling has been a beneficiary, but at the weekend it could quite easily be someone else.
One reveller at that Christmas party told me of how some players, perhaps a little shy, stayed in a corner of the bar for long periods. ‘Sterling was touring the room, speaking to anyone,’ they added. That he is now the centre of attention should surprise nobody.
'Boring' Man City have killed the Premier League under Pep Guardiola
Guardiola has made the Premier League boring - but City are something to be cherished
Just another win for Manchester City.
Just the 20th of the season.
Just the 15 points clear of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United at the start of 2018.
Boring, isn’t it?
Not a bit of it.
Yes Pep Guardiola has turned the Premier League title race into a procession.
Yes under his guidance City have rendered the self-proclaimed ‘most competitive league in the world’ a one horse race.
And yes the remainder of this season will be little more than one exhibition after another for the champions-elect.
Man City player David Silva could miss more games over 'family' issues
But don’t for one second take this team for granted.
We are witnessing something very special indeed at the Etihad - and if the rest of the country can’t compete, that’s their problem.
City under Guardiola are something to be cherished - just as we looked on in awe at his Barcelona creation that twice humbled Sir Alex Ferguson in the Champions League.
There will be the temptation to criticise their rivals, rather than appreciate their brilliance.
But United and Chelsea are no mugs. It's just that they are no competition either.
That’s because this City team have no equal on these shores.
No one can live with their pace, movement, pressing or relentlessness attacks.
Opponents don’t know whether to sit deep and try to soak up the pressure - or press forward in a vain attempt to stop the hurt.
Neither option works.
Results like Crystal Palace’s goalless draw on New Year’s Eve are absolutely the exception.
If their rivals thought Roy Hodgson had discovered a chink in their armour, it took just 38 seconds for Raheem Sterling to shatter that illusion.
Watford were effectively blown away within 13 minutes - 2-0 down and praying they avoided a rout to start the year.
That is increasingly the ambition of their opponents.
And the subdued atmosphere inside the Etihad pointed to the expectation among fans.
It’s now a case of how many City are going to score.
And there’s the danger - and Guardiola knows as much.
He used his programme notes to remind everyone that nothing has been won yet - adding that “there is never room for complacency in my teams.”
He’s been at pains to remind us for weeks that what are witnessing is not normal.
He’s right.
We may never see the likes of this again - so let’s appreciate it while we can.
Man of steel
As he lay on the floor in a crumpled heap at Selhurst Park on Sunday, City fans - and Pep Guardiola - feared the worst.
Two days later and Kevin de Bruyne was not only back in the squad - but back in the starting XI.
So much is made of the Belgian playmaker’s finer skills - but he has the resolve to match his invention.
Dele Alli hit him with one crunching tackle that deserved a red in the 4-1 win against Tottenham last month.
De Bruyne rose to his feet, ran down the pitch and hammered a shot past Hugo Lloris.
And while Jason Puncheon’s disgraceful challenge forced him off in injury time against Palace, De Bruyne proved it will take much more to keep him down.
It’s understood he was adamant he wanted to be in the starting XI against Watford, while City’s medical team were ready to take a more cautious approach.
Late fitness tests proved he was ready to play and he responded with two more assists in this latest win for Guardiola’s side.
He is the complete midfielder.
Merlin’s return
Back in the team and back in magical form.
Yes City have survived without David Silva, while the Spaniard has had time off for personal reasons - but they are a different team with him at the heart of things.
His balance, touch and vision are a joy to behold and he needed no time get right back into his flow against Watford.
Marco Silva’s side simply could not live with him as he slipped in and out of one dangerous position after another.
Alongside De Bruyne, it’s hard to think of a better midfield partnership in world football right now.
Aguero makes a statement
With Guardiola weighing up another move for Alexis Sanchez, following Gabriel Jesus’ medial ligament injury, Sergio Aguero offered the latest reminder that he can carry the goal-scoring burden.
He struck City’s third - but it was his harrying and harrassing of Watford’s defenders that will have pleased Guardiola most.
Given Sterling’s incredible scoring rate, do City have enough fire power to carry them through until Jesus returns?
Stones eases pressure at the back
Such has been Nicolas Otamendi’s stunning form that John Stones’ absence has barely been felt.
But he was back in the heart of City’s defence against Watford and it was if he’d never been away.
Guardiola has missed out on Virgil van Dijk and still intends to sign a centre back this month - but City’s rear-guard looks a lot more healthy with Stones back alongside Otamendi. (MuEN)
RANDOM ARCHIVE BOLLOX
Re: Nice article on Elano
by Blue Man Dan. » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:19 amHazy wrote:
One comment a few months ago from Sven, If England had an Elano, it would be fantastic. Small comment but says it all.
i remember that, press asked him why he didn't do what he was doing for city - for england, he said "i didn't have elano"
brilliance :O)
Pep Guardiola Says David Silva May Miss More Games Due to Personal Reasons
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said midfielder David Silva may head home to Spain again before the end of the campaign despite his recent return to first-team action.
The playmaker was back in the XI on Wednesday in City's 3-1 win over Watford in the Premier League; he had previously missed the festive fixtures against Newcastle United and Crystal Palace due to personal reasons, as well as the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
As relayed by Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail, Guardiola insisted the 31-year-old's family must take priority and as such he may miss more games yet.
"Family is most important," said Guardiola. "You can see how essential David is to us, but I don't know how long he will be here. He is free to go [home] again if he needs to. It doesn't matter if we get no points while he is away. Family is most important."
Ladyman wrote in his report that Silva missed games "due to a personal problem believed to be connected to his partner."
As noted by broadcaster Ian Cheeseman, the Spain international was at the hub of the good work done by City early in the game, as they coasted into a quick 2-0 lead:
Silva released Leroy Sane to set up Raheem Sterling's opener inside the opening minute, before he freed Kevin De Bruyne, whose cross was turned into his own net by Christian Kabasele.
The two passes were indications of what Silva can bring to this team at his best. While he doesn't boast the dynamism of players like De Bruyne, Sterling or Sane, on the ball he is precise and incisive, meaning he is able to unpick the tightest of defences.
It's a trait that's been key to City's success in recent years, with Silva crucial in their two Premier League title wins.
While De Bruyne has been hogging the headlines this season for the incredible standards he has been setting, Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe suggested last month Sllva deserves to be in consideration for the PFA Player of the Year award:
The former Valencia man is almost certain to sample silverware, as his City side lead the way at the top of the Premier League by 15 points already.
Silva has contributed five goals and eight assists to the cause, although his influence extends beyond those numbers. The Spaniard controls contests, brings the best out of team-mates and is blossoming as a leader.
Given the incredible service City have had from Silva since his arrival in 2010, it's no surprise the club and fanbase are willing to give him as much time as he needs to resolve any issues away from the field. Having signed a contract extension at the club recently until 2020, there is a lot more to come from him yet.
(Mail via Belcher Report)
Manchester United rival Man City for Napoli star
According to reports stemming from Portugal today, Napoli have opened to the idea of selling full-back Faouzi Ghoulam, with Manchester United having joined fierce rivals City as contenders for his signature.
Class act
Ghoulam, a 26-year-old Algerian international, has long been regarded as one of the finest full-backs in Serie A, with his lung-busting runs up and down Napoli’s left flank having proven crucial to the fortunes of Maurizio Sarri’s men for several seasons now.
The dynamic African notched 6 assists in the Italian top-flight last season, and had already racked up a further 2 goals and 3 assists during the current campaign, before a cruciate ligament rupture suffered during a Champions League tie with Man City saw the stopper ruled out for what is likely to be the remainder of the season.
In pursuit
Ghoulam was heavily linked with a departure from Napoli during the summer, with City boss Pep Guardiola having targeted the Partenopei man following the departures of both Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy.
In the end, though, Napoli held firm on Ghoulam, with the Citizens opting to bring in Benjamin Mendy from Monaco instead.
Etihad bound?
Ghoulam has since put pen to paper on a new contract at the San Paolo, a move which was expected to put rumours linking the stopper with a Napoli exit to bed.
However, this has since proven far from the case, with Manchester City still persistently touted as a potential future destination for Ghoulam.
Fellow suitors
And, as per reports stemming from Portugal this afternoon, the Sky Blues are not the only Premier League side hoping to coax the Partenopei full-back to England, with Manchester United having also joined the race for his signature.
The left-back situation at Old Trafford has remained unclear for some time now, with Ashley Young having filled in admirably for the Red Devils over the last couple of months, in the absence of out-of-favour duo Daley Blind and Luke Shaw.
The latter of this pair has surprisingly reemerged as first-choice over recent weeks, though Blind is still expected to move on in the near future, meaning United will likely be entering the market for left-sided defensive reinforcements in the near future.
RANDOM ARCHIVE BOLLOX
Re: Who would you like to come?
by kennyboy » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:53 am
Agree with you mate, "Shippen" as we call the sweed has some excellent skills, watch youtube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmXGt82F ... ed&search=
And David Villa is a dream for me to, better than Saviola.
Wouldnt it be great to have Shippen on the right and this guy on the left?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PupBTymHGI
Sergio Aguero wants to stay at Manchester City but admits future is out of his hands
There has been recurring uncertainty over Aguero's future since Pep Guardiola took charge as manager in 2016
Sergio Aguero insists he wants to stay at Manchester City until his contract expires in 2020 - but says the club will make the decision.
There has been recurring uncertainty over Aguero's future since Pep Guardiola took charge as manager in 2016, despite repeated assurances from the club he will not be leaving.
In December reports emerged from the club claiming Guardiola was pleased with the striker and determined to keep him, having been impressed with his workrate and determination to adapt to his methods.
But that did not prevent conflicting stories emerging suggesting the Argentinian, who became City's record goalscorer this season, was unhappy about not always starting and was inclined to push for an exit.
Asked about this after scoring in City's 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday, Aguero said: "I have until 2020, I think. The truth is that I hope to see out my contract and I'll try to do my best from here until the end of the season, and after that we will see what happens with me."
Asked further if he wanted to stay, the 29-year-old said: "For me, yes. Obviously my plan is not to change clubs. The truth is I'm very happy here but, as always, as I said before, the club has the last word.
"They're the only ones who decide, because obviously the club is the one who makes the decisions, they are the ones who say you have to go or have to stay, so I'll respect whatever they tell me."
Aguero also said "everything's fine" when asked about his relationship with Guardiola.
Aguero, who joined City in 2011, overtook Eric Brook's 78-year-old record to become City's leading goalscorer in November. He has since scored seven more to take his City tally to 185.
When asked about Aguero in December, Guardiola maintained his stance that the player would be allowed to stay as long as he wanted.
He added: "He is a legend. He will decide absolutely everything about his life and his future. I'm delighted to have him here."
(Independent)
Manchester City present project to Barcelona defender ahead of potential €60m deal
Manchester City have presented their ambitious project to Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti and are prepared to trigger the player’s release clause in January, French newspaper L’Equipe reports today.
The 24-year-old has been Barcelona’s best defender this season and his €60million (£53million) release clause is said to have wealthy European rivals interested.
Barcelona hope to extend the Frenchman’s contract with an improved release clause, but the player is reported to have asked for time to think about City’s pitch.
A cynic would note previous examples of alleged City interest has been used to get a Barça player an improved deal, with Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic two examples.
Even so, Umtiti has all the characteristics required to play in a Pep Guardiola defence, and if he was to show any interest in a move, £53million would appear quite a bargain in a market where Virgil van Dijk has just moved for a eye-watering £75million.
Another La Liga defender, Iñigo Martínez of Real Sociedad, is perhaps a more realistic January option, with the player available for his £28million release clause and likely to be more receptive to a move mid-season. A deal for Umtiti would cup-tie him from the Champions League, something he’d surely not be too thrilled about.
WAG OF THE DAY
Why David Silva has been missing
It’s been a difficult few weeks for Man City’s Spanish midfield star David Silva.
Silva has missed four of the last five matches for the Sky Blues, although he returned to action against Watford.
Man City have remained tight lipped about David Silva’s situation, only revealing he’s been missing for “personal reasons”.
Yet in the Times on Wednesday, journalist Paul Hirst has expanded on matters a little further. He’s revealed the following:
David Silva received a hero’s welcome from the City supporters as he returned to the starting XI after a difficult period in the midfielder’s life.
Silva, 31, has missed four of the past five matches for what the club called “personal reasons”.
They have not gone into detail about the nature of his absence but it is understood that it was related to the pregnancy of his partner, Yessica Suárez González.
The problem that the couple had is now said to have been resolved.
Would Arsenal fans prefer Alexis to join Chelsea or Man City?
Arsenal have supposedly slapped a £25 Million asking price on Alexis Sanchez’s head, with Chelsea and Manchester City both linked with an interest.
Antonio Conte this week admitted an interest in the forward, before claiming that he had limited input into his club’s transfer policy, although Sanchez along with his international team-mate Arturo Vidal were of interest to him.
Manchester City have been the most strongly linked, with Pep Guardiola agreeing a fee with our club for his arrival on deadline day back in August, only for Arsenal to backtrack after failing to persuade Thomas Lemar to join in his place.
Arsene Wenger had insisted that none of his players would leave the club this month, much like he said last summer prior to accepting an offer from City on deadline day, but he appears to be coming round to the idea of his exit, possibly down to the player’s struggles this term along with the recent issues with his teammates.
Our club are now claimed to be willing to discuss his departure for in excess of £25 Million, with his agent supposedly urging interested suitors to pursue a deal.
Alexis is believed to be keen on teaming up with former manager Pep Guardiola, who he spent time working with at Barcelona previously, but Chelsea could also prove to be of interest to the forward, who would most likely be offered his desired wage packet at Stamford Bridge.
Would Arsenal fans rather the former Udinese and Barca star to join Chelsea or Man City? Is there any need to keep him at the club beyond January?
(JustArsenal.com)
OLD SKOOL ADVATARS & BANNERS
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho believes he has played his last game for the club but it will take an offer in the region of £133m for a move to Barcelona to go through this month. (Times)
Liverpool should sign Alexis Sanchez, 29, from Arsenal for £40m to replace Phillippe Coutinho if he leaves Anfield, according to former Reds striker John Aldridge. (Irish Independent)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has opened the door to selling Chile striker Sanchez this month. (Mirror)
RB Leipzig's Naby Keita is set to stay at the German club for the rest of the season as the 22-year-old Guinea midfielder is made to wait until the summer for his £55m move to Liverpool. (Bild via Liverpool Echo)
The German club also say selling striker Timo Werner, who has been linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, is not in their immediate plans. (AS)
Chelsea are ready to push through a £50m January deal for Juventus' Brazil left-back Alex Sandro, 26. (Mirror)
But Blues manager Antonio Conte has cooled talk of a January move for Juventus' 33-year-old Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. (Daily Mail)
And the Italian manager has also said Brazil defender David Luiz, 30, and Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi, 24, can leave Stamford Bridge in January if they wish. (Telegraph)
Fenerbahce could make a move for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 31, this month. Reports in Turkey suggest the club are keen to sign him as a potential replacement for Robin Van Persie. (Fanatik via Football London)
West Ham remain interested in signing Stoke City and Wales midfielder Joe Allen, 27. (Sky Sports)
Manchester United do not need to sign anybody during the current transfer window according to the club's former coach, Steve McClaren. (Sky Sports via Daily Star)
The agent of Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian has confirmed multiple Italian clubs have been in touch with regard to signing the 28-year-old Italy full-back - but claims he is not for sale in January. (Manchester Evening News)
Everton will attempt to complete the signing of Besiktas and Turkey striker Cenk Tosun, 26, on Wednesday at a meeting with the Turkish club's president, Fikret Orman. (Guardian)
Southampton, Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham all want to sign Nicolas Gaitan from Atletico Madrid. (AS via Daily Express)
Newcastle have told 28-year-old midfielder Jack Colback and right-back Jamie Sterry, 22, they can leave St James' Park. (Mirror)
Wolves are set to land their first signing of the January transfer window after agreeing a deal with Valencia for rumoured Real Madrid target, 20-year-old forward Rafa Mir. (Express and Star)
Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi, 19, is poised to join Charlton on loan. (ESPN)
Manager Jose Mourinho is treading a fine line with the Old Trafford hierarchy over his comments about Manchester United's spending. (Daily Mail)
West Brom and Poland midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, 27, who has failed to score a goal since signing in the summer, could be offered an escape route from the Hawthorns by Spanish side Getafe. (Talksport)
QPR's Congo midfielder Yeni Ngbakoto, 25, is close to finalising a permanent move to French Ligue 1 side Guingamp. (GetWestLondon)
Lazio and Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 22, insists he is not thinking about leaving the club after being linked with a move to Manchester United. (Novosti via Metro)
