by Chinners » Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:43 am
©
MCF.net members should always try to use Mr Nools daily 'word bollox' in one of their posts that dayPREPONDERANT
prɪˈpɒnd(ə)r(ə)nt
adjective
predominant in influence, number, or importance.
"The possibility to still win all 4 prizes this season, has probably been preponderant in the choice to try to land Fred and Laporte already in January."
Manchester City are ready to make a £150million move for Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
Pep Guardiola has identified the Belgium winger as his No.1 summer transfer target after admitting that the huge revamp of his squad has meant he’s been unable to compete in the market for the world’s stellar players.
City refused to meet the £400,000-a-week wage demands of Alexis Sanchez – and saw the Chile star join rivals Manchester United last week.
But Guardiola has dropped a big hint that the Premier League leaders’ stance is about to change.
And Hazard’s contract stand-off at Stamford Bridge has given City hope that he will come on the market this summer.
Guardiola agreed with City’s stance on refusing to break the club’s wage structure for Sanchez.
At 27, Hazard is seen to represent better value as he enters the peak years of his career.
And if his contract deadlock with Chelsea is still in place at the end of the season, then City will challenge Real Madrid for his signature.
Hazard will have just two years left on his contract and will be at his optimum value in terms of fee and wages.
City will not hesitate to shatter the British transfer record.
And Hazard would also bank the same kind of personal terms agreed by Kevin De Bruyne last week when his international team-mate signed a five-year deal worth a basic £300,000 a week, with another possible £50,000 a week in add-ons.
Madrid are in crisis after slipping to fourth in La Liga and boss Zinedine Zidane – a boyhood hero of Hazard’s – will have to win the Champions League to have a hope of surviving.
And, with top earners such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale needing to be moved on to make room for another Galactico, the situation at the Bernabau is complex.
City believe the presence of Guardiola at the Etihad will give them an edge – and breaking the bank for Hazard will be worth the money.
He was set to join City in 2012 when he left Lille, but City pulled out when his agent demanded £6m for brokering the move.
Manchester United and City lock horns in fresh bidding war for Fred MANCHESTER rivals United and City are squaring up for another transfer scrap this week – over Brazil midfielder Fred.
City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted he cannot compete for the most expensive players in the world – fees or wages – after losing out to United for Alexis Sanchez.
But he can afford Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred, even though his valuation has soared to a massive £50m.
Guardiola, in fact, wants to splash around £100m before Wednesday’s transfer window deadline – on TWO players.
City are in advanced talks for a club-record deal of £57m for Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte, 23.
The French defender, who is yet to be capped by his country, was left out of Bilbao’s match on Friday night in preparation for a switch which is expected to be completed within the next two days.
City want to back Guardiola in his Quadruple bid and could bring the summer transfer budget forward to get the Fred and Laporte deals done and over the line now.
The Daily Star Sunday revealed three weeks ago that United and Arsenal were leading the chase for Fred, 24, with City also involved.
Tottenham were also eyeing the situation, when the fee was believed to be £30m for a man who has played six times for the Brazil national team.
But it now seems to have come down to a straight fight between the two title-contesting Mancunian heavyweights.
Guardiola will not want to lose out again to Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho – but after his comments on financial resources, he must fear it could happen for the second time in this transfer window.
But if Fred – who is seen by Guardiola as the long-term successor in the City engine room to fellow Brazilian Fernandinho – does not move this week, the two clubs will resume their battle for him in the summer.
Man City striker Gabriel Jesus provides injury updateManchester City forward Gabriel Jesus continues his comeback from injury.
Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus has provided an update as he continues his comeback from knee injury.
In a video uploaded to Benjamin Mendy’s official Snapchat account, Jesus can be seen pedalling on an exercise bike while performing his iconic Alô Mãe celebration.
The post is a massive boost to the Blues who have been without the 20-year-old since he suffered a knee injury against Crystal Palace on New Year's Eve.
Jesus was in tears at Selhurst Park after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury during the goalless draw.
The City forward visited knee specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona at the beginning of January for further tests on the injury.
Speaking earlier in the month Pep Guardiola confirmed the trip to Barcelona and hinted at a possible timescale for his return. “Yesterday he was in Barcelona with Dr Cugat," said the City manager.
“At the end it was quite good. I think in two or three weeks, when we play Basel in the Champions League, he could be be fit.
“He could be ready. I think in two or three weeks he’ll be ready, he’ll be with us again.”
GOLDEN BOLLOX 28-1-2009
Ex-Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann, who is currently at Stuttgart, is ready for a Premier League return. (The Sun)
Newcastle and Aston Villa are battling to sign Charlton's teenage midfielder Josh Wright. (The Sun)
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sent his brother to run a personal check on Rangers teenage striker John Fleck. (The Sun)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits his club's bid for Brazilian striker Fred is doomed. He was supposed to meet the Spurs boss before that match against Stoke. (The Sun)
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has warned Roque Santa Cruz's suitors Manchester City that he has been unable to find a replacement for the striker. (The Sun)
Aston Villa want to sign Newcastle striker Michael Owen on a free (Mirror)
West Ham have made a £4m bid for Spartak Moscow midfielder Radoslav Kovac. (Daily Mirror)
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson wants to bring in Watford midfielder Lee Williamson. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro wants to turn his loan deal at Werder Bremen into a permanent one. (Daily Mirror)
Tottenham have offered midfielder Aaron Lennon or Jermaine Jenas plus cash for Liverpool striker Robbie Keane. (The Independent)
Manchester City may have to pay Newcastle £8m to prize away goalkeeper Shay Given. (The Independent)
Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is lining up £1m-rated Stoke midfielder Amdy Faye. (Daily Mail)
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will decide whether to give midfielder Stephen Appiah a deal when he watches him play for the reserves. (Daily Mail)
Wigan are expecting a fresh bid from Real Madrid for winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Mail)
Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is looking to sign Real Madrid forward Javier Saviola on loan until the end of the season.
The Fratton Park boss is also looking to recruit AC Milan midfielder Emerson and Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood. (Daily Express)
Middlesbrough are closing in on Reading striker James Harper. (Daily Express)
Wigan manager Steve Bruce claims Manchester City's "disgusting behaviour" cost him midfielder Wilson Palacios.
Bruce was on the verge of persuading the £14m Spurs new boy to sign a new deal when City entered the frame.
Bruce claims there was a "gentlemen's agreement" struck which meant Spurs would get Palacios and City could have a clear run at Craig Bellamy. (The Sun)
Brazil legend Zico believes AC Milan forward Kaka was right to snub Manchester City because he would "lose his ambition". (The Sun)
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Everton can win the Premier League this season. (The Sun)
Manchester City and Bolton want to sign midfielder Miguel Veloso from Sporting Lisbon. (The Times)
Manchester City new boy Craig Bellamy said if he wrote a book one day it would be called "Don't Google Me!".
His fear is that a list of misdemeanours and bust-ups would spring up on the screen and hide the fact he is also a focused player. (The Sun)Statistical Comparison: Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero vs Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann
Manchester City are plotting an audacious swap deal in the summer which could see striker Sergio Aguero return to Atletico Madrid and Antoine Griezmann, as per reports from the Sun.
Atletico are understood to be keen on taking Aguero back to the club and City manager Pep Guardiola is also believed to be interested in capturing the signing of Griezmann ahead of next season. If it goes through, it will be one of a kind, a blockbuster deal that will surely create waves in the footballing world.
Both Aguero and Griezmann are quality forwards in their own rights and have accomplished plenty with their clubs. However, who could end up as the happier side if the deal does go through in the summer? We analyze by taking a look at their numbers from the ongoing campaign.
Aguero has made 19 appearances in the Premier League so far, scoring 16 goals already, whereas Griezmann has featured on 17 occasions in the La Liga, but has managed just 6 goals in the campaign. Both players have registered five assists each.
While one can say that Aguero has the benefit of playing with some world-class attacking partners and the fact that City have been totally rampant this season has benefitted him, it cannot be overlooked that Griezmann has underperformed significantly on comparison with his returns from previous seasons.
Aguero has also enjoyed a better pass accuracy (82.7%), completing 405 of his 490 attempted passes, compared to the 26-year old Frenchman who has completed 414 of his 521 passes at a success rate of 79.5%. But Griezmann does edge out Aguero when it comes to the number of key passes played per game, having played 1.6 key passes, compared to 1.5 for the Argentine every game.
The Manchester City man has enjoyed more success going past his opponents, as he has completed 2.2 dribbles per game this season, compared to the Atletico forward who has averaged a lowly 0.7 dribbles every game.
However, Griezmann does come out on top when one looks at the possession retention stats of the two players. The 26-year old has been dispossessed just once every game and has had 1.6 unsuccessful touches per match, compared to the 29-year old Aguero, who has been dispossessed 1.8 times and has executed 2.5 unsuccessful touches per game.
Given that City have dominated games and possession greatly against most oppositions, Aguero hasn’t had to do a lot of defensive work, whereas Griezmann has performed his duties off the ball quite diligently. The France international has completed 0.4 interceptions and 1.1 tackles every game, compared to 0.2 interceptions and 0.4 tackles for Aguero.
Looking at the numbers, it is quite clear that Aguero is enjoying a far more superior season than Griezmann, who has been going through a rough patch of form. The Manchester City striker is enjoying his best years and if he does return to Atletico come the summer, Aguero will make the team much stronger.
On the other hand, Griezmann’s current form might not be the best, but he has proven himself to be a top-class marksman and with age on his side, he could reach great heights with Guardiola and City.
'Sanchez is brilliant but Man City don't need him' - Noel Gallagher has full faith in Guardiola
The Premier League leaders were beaten to a sought-after signature by arch-rivals United, but they are considered to be in good shape heading forward
Manchester City “didn’t need” Alexis Sanchez, says Noel Gallagher, although he concedes the Chilean is “brilliant” and will improve arch-rivals United.
An expected arrival at the Etihad Stadium never materialised for the Chilean forward, with a lucrative offer from Old Trafford luring him away from Arsenal and onto the Red Devils’ books.
City could have been forgiven for feeling aggrieved at seeing a top target snatched from under their nose, but they already boast a star-studded squad which is hardly short on creativity and goal threat.
Taking that into account, former Oasis frontman Gallagher is not overly concerned at having seen the 29-year-old choose red over blue – although derby doubts have been cast in his mind.
He told Soccer AM: "I wouldn't say I was gutted but I would've had him because he's brilliant.
“No, we didn't need him, it would've been a little bit greedy I suppose. United needed him more for sure and that's why they paid all the money for him.
"He gives them a fighting chance in the Champions League now and you just know he's going to score the winner in the derby, but hopefully it will be all tied up by then."
While shrugging off one failed arrival, there is one possible departure that Gallagher hopes to see avoided at City for the foreseeable future.
Guardiola may have ended his debut campaign at the Etihad empty-handed, but the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has rekindled his old magic this season to have his team chasing down major honours on four fronts.
Keeping him in Manchester is considered to be essential, with Gallagher confident that the Catalan will stick around to oversee a long-term project.
He added: "He's not going to leave I don't think. Please don't leave!
"I don't know, I can see him staying for a while actually. I can see him being there for five years and I think the reason they got him was to lay down the foundations for a style of play that will carry on.
"He's a one-off, there are no coaches like him so when he does eventually leave, I don't know."
"I think he's doing something really special there.
"I still think against the big teams we need David Silva playing and all the big guns out but against the rest, once we get to the run in when teams need points, it should open up a bit. We've got big players to come back in Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus.
"What's interesting is that in the first season he didn't win anything but he's gone this is what I need and from the first game they've been getting late, late winners and there seems to be an amazing team spirit.
"The second half of the season is going to be tough because everyone has strengthened. United are going to be there."
Who is Man City transfer target Aymeric Laporte?Manchester City continue to be linked with a record breaking move for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte.
Laporte is a French defender who has come through the famous youth set-up at Bilbao since joining the club as a 15-year-old from hometown club Sporting Union Agen Football.
After progressing through the various youth sides at Bilbao Laporte eventually made his first-team debut in 2012 and signed a new deal at the club soon after.
His stock really began to rise under the guidance of manager Ernesto Valverde, and after a successful season he was named in the 2013-14 La Liga Team of the Year.
Laporte has since signed another two new deals at Bilbao and was an integral part of the squad which defeated Barcelona in the 2015 Spanish Super Cup - the clubs first trophy in 31 years.
Name: Aymeric Laporte
Date of birth: 27th May 1994
Position: Defender
Birthplace: Agen, France
Where does he play?
Laporte is primarily a left-sided central defender, and is viewed as a long-term defensive partner for John Stones. During his breakout season in Spain he regularly featured as left-back and could provide the Blues with additional cover going forward.
How much would he cost?
The Frenchman signed a new deal in 2016 which includes a £56.5m release clause. Therefore City would need to break their current transfer record if they were to secure his signature, having previously spent would £54.5million to sign Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg in 2016.
France or Spain?
Despite living in Spain for the majority of his life Laporte is still keen to forge an international career with the France national side.
He has captained Les Blues at four youth levels and was named in the Team of the Tournament as France finished runners-up to Serbia in the 2013 European Under-19 Championship.
However Laporte sparked controversy in 2015 when he stated he would consider representing Spain if he wasn't named in France's squad for Euro 2016.
Laporte wasn't selected and had reportedly started the process of making himself eligible for Spain. In response France called him up for their World Cup qualifiers in 2018, however he did not make an appearance which would have confirmed his eligibility.
“[Pep] Guardiola proved what a good person he is, besides being a great coach,” Laporte said at the time.
“But I said no having spoken at length with him, with my club and evaluating it with my family and my entourage.
"It wasn’t too early. It was just pros and cons -- amount of time on the pitch, me recovering from injury. These aren’t easy things to think about at my age.”
Man City FC stadium reports rise in group interest since revamp
Manchester City Football Club has launched a series of new experiences as part of its revamped Stadium & Club tour and in response has reported a 20% increase in group visits.
The revamped facilities, which became features on the tours last August, include the First Team changing rooms, where quotes from Tony Walsh’s poetic tribute to Manchester, This is the Place, are on the walls; the First Team warm-up areas; the away team facilities; and the players’ tunnel.
Andy Begg, head of Stadium and Club Tours, said: “Group tours at Manchester City Football Club have seen a real uplift in sales this season, after the stadium experienced a huge revamp - introducing state-of-the-art player facilities and the brand-new hospitality offering, The Tunnel Club.
“This uplift has been assisted by the number of great packages on offer for groups, which include afternoon tea in an executive suite or a combination of match-day tickets and a stadium tour. Tours are certainly not restricted to Manchester City fans, or even football fans in general, as there is plenty to enjoy for those interested in food, business or hospitality, or those looking for some family fun.”
What groups can expect from a tour
The updated Stadium & Club tour gives groups the chance to experience Manchester City’s heritage through memorabilia and interactive displays, enabling fans to relive the Blues’ greatest moments and discover exactly what makes Manchester City the club it is today.
For all group tours, Manchester City offers free coach parking at the Etihad Stadium, as well as a free space for the driver to join the Club tour. Group rates are available, too.
RANDOM ARCHIVE BOLLOXRe: Adebayor [merged]
by Slim » Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:36 pm
Beefymcfc wrote:
edge275 wrote:
AlpsMaster wrote:
Beefymcfc wrote:
That is a very good comment mate and when you look at it a different way, we only have RSC as an out-and-out striker. We have the likes of Tevez and Rob who seem to want to come in from the wing or play off a frontman. This is where we had problems last season, which Hughes is obviously trying to address.
IMO, we definitely need another frontman in the guise of Adebayor. This is essential, because I thought last seasons defensive problems stemmed from the lack of hold up play and front line options, allowing other teams to to push up and bypass our midfield, putting excess perssure on our defense!
Spot on. And RSC and Ade also give us an option of playing 4-4-2 with a big un / little un combo to mix things up from time to time.
You know RSC is 6"2 and Adebayor is 6"3?
And Tevez is 2' 6", Rob is 2' 8", which makes a decent combo of them 4 does it not?
Dunno, sounds like they'd fit in the box all wrong, or one of them would have to be folded and probably end up creasing the edges.
Neil Warnock dreams of inflicting more FA Cup pain on Manchester City The veteran Cardiff manager has form of knocking out City and hopes memories of 1991 with Notts County can inspire his team against Pep Guardiola’s side
Neil Warnock is in his element, laughing at the memory of his biggest scalp in the FA Cup, a competition that he has been involved in for 49 years, 37 as a manager, he has just been told. Over the past half-hour he has talked about his mixture of excitement and dread at hosting Manchester City – “we just don’t want to get battered” – his love for how Arsène Wenger defies abuse from supporters and how, as a qualified chiropodist, he still regards himself as the in-growing toenail specialist at Cardiff.
Warnock grins as he recalls that 1-0 win in 1991, against Manchester City at Meadow Lane while he was in charge at Notts County, when he had a back four that “couldn’t pass water” and feels he was first tagged a long-ball merchant. It is apt then that Pep Guardiola’s side visit in the fourth round on Sunday.
“The snow was six foot high at the time and the fans were clearing it off the pitch,” Warnock says. “We didn’t go training in the week, we went sledging at Wollaton Park. It was only when I saw the TV coverage of the sledging I realised how close to a disaster I was because my two keepers, Kevin Blackwell and Steve Cherry, were on the same sledge and missed a massive tree by about quarter of an inch.”
Blackwell, along with Ronnie Jepson, are Warnock’s trusty assistants in south Wales, where the 69-year-old is enjoying every minute, after rediscovering his zest for management two years ago at Rotherham. He has galvanised Cardiff, a club “in turmoil” and “at loggerheads in different areas” when he assumed control in October 2016. “We’re limited in a lot of things that we do,” he says, “but we’re not limited in what’s under the shirts.”
Warnock prides himself on revitalising players, more often than not those with a point to prove, such as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing who arrived on a free transfer from Rochdale last summer. “I love seeing some of my players – the ones who have been discarded by someone else – pick up man of the match or player of the season,” he says. “That’s the kick I get, I get a kick out of seeing my players going through brick walls for me, not opening my bank balance.”
He has done it at most of, if not in all of his 15 previous posts, although Sean Morrison, the Cardiff captain, senses a change in his manager’s persona. “He might have mellowed a bit,” Morrison says. “Maybe 10 years ago he would have come in at half-time, gone mad and given you the hairdryer treatment, but he is much calmer now. He is the best manager I’ve ever worked for.”
His contract expires at the end of the season – “people should be glad I don’t want a long contract, really” – but Morrison believes an eighth promotion would make it difficult for his manager to walk away.
Warnock is charismatic but also a pantomime villain across the country – he wouldn’t have it any other way – and comes alive when drifting off on a tangent about his hopes for when he passes, saying he wants Bristol City supporters “to call Warnock a banker for a minute” instead of a routine 60-second silence.
For now, Warnock is ready for his maiden touchline battle with Guardiola. “I know one thing. I am going to enjoy it,” he says. “Without any points at stake, I won’t get anywhere near as nervous as I would in a league match.”
He does, however, have a word of warning for the Manchester City manager when it comes to his winger, Junior Hoilett, another player he has given a new lease of life. “I just hope he doesn’t put his arm around Junior and tell him he should be doing better,” he says, breaking into laughter. “Because Junior wouldn’t understand him.”
Bernando Silva opens up on Pep Guardiola's demands for perfection 
Bernando Silva has credited Pep Guardiola for making each of his players feel important but admits the Spaniard demands nothing less than perfection.
Manchester City are 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League after losing only one match and have been tipped to win the quadruple this season.
Silva joined City for £43m last summer and has made just 12 starts in all competitions but the Portugal international insists he is content at the Etihad thanks to Guardiola's style of management.
"One of the best things about playing for Pep is that he makes you feel important," Silva told the Sunday Mirror.
"It will always happen that some players play more games than others but he makes everyone feel part of the squad, that's why we have such a great atmosphere in the squad.
Silva says Guardiola makes each of his players feel important, even if they're not playing
"The coach is very intense. He goes into the very small details and he gets very close to his players because he wants you to have the confidence to try to play the way he wants.
"When we had won 10 games in succession, he said, 'Very good - now let's try to make it 11'. That's how he is. He wants perfection."
Silva is in line to feature on Sunday when City travel to south Wales to take on Sky Bet Championship side Cardiff in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The last time the two sides met at the Cardiff City Stadium in the 2013/14 season, City slipped to a 3-2 defeat courtesy of a last-minute Fraser Campbell goal.
Manchester City sign US international midfielder Mix Diskerud...however he is unlikely to ever play for them, and the deal was announced by Umbro
Sportswear manufacturer Umbro has announced a signing for Manchester City
City - who are sponsored by Nike - have signed US international Mix Diskerud
Diskerud, 27, had been on loan to IFK Gothenburg from New York City FC
Sportswear manufacturer Umbro has announced a signing on behalf of Manchester City - who are actually sponsored by Nike.
According to Umbro's social media channels on Saturday, United States international midfielder Mix Diskerud has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with City.
Diskerud, 27, had been on loan to IFK Gothenburg from New York City, and Sportsmail understands Diskerud's deal has expired, with the Etihad club choosing to take it over.
He will have the opportunity to work with the City Football Group while he goes about finding a new club. Diskerud is not expected to train with the first-team at City.
Diskerud has 38 caps for the United States, despite being born and playing his junior football in Norway.
Neither Manchester City nor New York City FC made any announcement about Diskerud on their official channels.
Kevin De Bruyne knows who would win 100m race between Leroy Sane and Kyle WalkerThere’s an interesting battle brewing between Leroy Sane and Kyle Walker at Manchester City and it’s all to do with who’s quicker.The debate started when Walker realised that his 90 pace rating on FIFA 18 is lower than Sane’s rating for the same attribute, which is 94.
“I am definitely quicker than him,” Walker said. “Let’s have a 100 metre sprint for charity. I guarantee I will win.”
In October, Sane became the Premier League’s fastest ever player when he clocked a top speed of 35.48 kilometres per hour (22.05 mph)
The German surpassed the previous record set by Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.
And Sane enjoys teasing Walker when it comes to their speed.
“Kyle Walker wants to be [the speed demon], Sane said last year.
“Raheem [Sterling] and I bully him sometimes, saying I am quicker or Raheem is quicker.”
We’re still yet to see the pair race but Kevin De Bruyne has given us an idea of who would come out on top.
De Bruyne sided with Sane when asked who would win in a 100m race between the German winger and Walker, although he admitted it would be close.
“In a 100m race it would be between Leroy and Kyle,” the Belgian midfielder said.
