ROUND-UP
Yaya Toure has an early present for City fans this Christmas Eve morning.
The Ivorian has been telling Sky Sports that he believes the Blues are set to be the ‘greatest club in the world’ – which sounds alright, I suppose…
He is quoted as saying: "To make history sometimes it takes longer. I am a lucky man to be in the right place because the club have brought in fantastic players. Everything is in a good place to be honest, and I'm sure in a couple of years Man City will become the greatest club in the world.
"[Barcelona] are quite afraid about us, the way they see us play in the PL at home especially, they're quite scared. We play fantastic football and we score goals, it's total attack. But it's going to be a tough game and for us we know if we're to win we need to be at the top of our game."
Yaya added: "Any trophy will be very welcome because we're chasing trophies. To be a top club you have to win trophies. The team we've got and the manager we've got now, I think it's not going to surprise me if we win two trophies this year."
Let’s hope you’re right on both counts, Yaya!
Elsewhere, Boxing Day has served up a festive treat – and it isn’t turkey leftovers. The fixture list has thrown up a highly-anticipated clash with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, where City have been in stunning form all season.
A flawless home record in the league has been backed up by 35 Etihad goals, but Joe Allen has his sights set on ending that extraordinary run before the Reds visit Chelsea on 29 December.
The Liverpool midfielder told the Mirror: "It is a massive challenge but one to look forward to. The run of form we are on and the way we are playing we are certainly looking to go there and get a result.
"You can never pick one or two games as season-defining but we appreciate they are going to be challenging, that goes without saying.
"Man City have an incredible record at home, as do Chelsea to be fair, but records are there to be broken and we have to be ambitious that we can be the team that goes there and does that.”
Fighting talk!
Finally, the Beast may not have a prominent role in the story of Christmas, but he does have a starring part in City’s 2013-14 campaign.
Alvaro Negredo has exploded out of the blocks in his first season for the Blues, and The Bleacher Report has outlined the importance of his contribution.
Rob Pollard writes: “Negredo has seven league goals in 16 games, as well as five in six Champions League matches. Throw in his Capital One Cup goal away at Newcastle, and his total in all competitions stands at 13 already. It’s been a phenomenal start for a player who looks tailor-made for the English game.
“It isn’t just his goals that have impressed so far. His all-around game has brought a new dimension to the way City attack. He is a constant thorn in the side of opposition, bullying defenders for 90 minutes with his strength and tenacity, always looking to provide opportunities for those around him. He’s created 16 chances for others this season, with four direct assists.
“The weekend win at Fulham was the latest example of his brilliance. Bent double on the turf at the end after another 90 minutes of constant running and hard work, he’d just provided the assist of the season—an outside-of-the-boot cross for James Milner to run on to and score from close range. Milner didn’t have to break stride, such was the precision of the pass, and City guaranteed themselves three vital points.”
Mike Keegan: Lionel Messi to City is not just a pipe dream
There are compelling reasons as to why the Argentinian genius could swap Barca for Manchester.
Forget the socks, the X-Box or even the flatscreen TV – Lionel Messi is the present every City fan wants this Christmas.
It might be enough to make fans of other clubs choke on their mince pies but a move for the four-time Ballon D’Or winner could be as predictable as a Boxing Day hangover.
Mercurial Messi put football’s elite on alert by publicly airing the first signs of a crack in his love affair with Barcelona, the club that has nurtured him since he was 12.
A reluctant interviewee he stunned the football word with an explosive attack on the Catalan giants’ vice president Javier Faus, claiming he ‘knows nothing about football’.
So where else could he go?
Well, Beswick has a distinct air of Buenos Aires these days. While he might struggle to buy a bottle of Chimichurri sauce at Eastlands Asda, he will find a host of familiar faces.
For a start Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero would welcome their Argentinian team-mate with open arms.
And both have already launched cheeky charm offensives. Zabaleta subtlely revealed he often talks with Messi, his rival when he was at Espanyol, about life in Manchester.
“I remember when we were in Barcelona we were very close friends because we were living in the same city and we had known each other for a number of years,” he said.
“I was just starting out at Espanyol and Lionel was at Barca.
“When I signed for City I think two days later the news broke that Sheikh Mansour has bought the club and Lionel always recalls that I joined at such a fantastic time.
“He asked me a lot about City but I couldn’t tell him much because I didn’t know much myself but it’s something we often talk about.”
Aguero was a little more forthright.
“Yes, he should come to City,” he said. “Then we’ll definitely play together! City should buy him!”
Yaya Toure completed the love-in hat-trick.
“If it’s to come to City, I hope Messi can leave Barca,” said the man-mountain, who himself has not looked back since making the switch.
But it is not just familiar faces on the pitch that Messi would find in Manchester.
It is becoming a well-trodden, albeit unlikely, path from the Nou Camp to the Blue Camp in the boardroom too.
Txiki Begiristain, the Blues’ sporting director and chief executive Ferran Soriano were instrumental in Messi’s meteoric rise in Catalonia.
In 2005 Begiristain, an avid watcher of the club’s reserves when the little Argentine was making a name for himself, flew to the under-20 World Cup in Holland to present him with a five-year contract on his 18th birthday.
Along with Soriano he made sure their boy wonder was well looked after – and that he was paid far more than his status as a B team player commanded.
A 150m Euro buy-out clause was even inserted into his deal in a bid to pave the way for a career-long stay at the club.
Ironic then, that the two men will now, no doubt, attempt to demolish the foundations they laid, buoyed by Messi’s outburst at Faus.
They would do so armed with serious money. While it might not be his main motivation, Messi would no doubt command a salary that would make him the country’s top earner. If anyone has the means to make that happen it is City who remain confident of their ability to comply with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Wages of £420,000-a-week have been mentioned but the Blues would look to the vast commercial gain not only on these shores but in the US, where New York City FC will start life in MLS in 2015 and where Messi enjoys Beckhamesque fame.
Nike, which has partnerships with both City and Barcelona, would be key in a move that would be the biggest statement by the Blues since Sheikh Mansour turned their world upside down in 2009.
Messi’s father, Jorge, moved to quell rumours this weekend stating that his son, currently recovering from a hamstring injury in his homeland, was more than happy at the club.
But Messi himself is yet to announce that all is well and if he were to leave, only a handful of clubs could compete with City for his services.
No doubt Real Madrid would love to put one over on their old rivals. Whether they would have the financial clout to compete after their record capture of Gareth Bale is unclear.
And while Messi may not be happy with the boardroom there is nothing to suggest he would want to take a hammer to his relationship with the club’s fanatical support.
These are the fans who, remember, hurled a pig’s head at Luis Figo when he returned in 2002 after crossing Spanish football’s great divide.
Whisky bottles, coins and even a knife also rained down on the Portuguese.
Europe’s nouveau riche at Paris St Germain and Monaco would also come calling, but there is little to suggest Messi would be better suited in the French capital or in the posh principality.
Closer to home, and if the noises coming from within Old Trafford are to be believed, United may well be another contender.
While it may have only yielded £27m Marouane Fellaini, David Moyes has talked of a transfer window in which the club were in talks with two high-profile stars thought to be Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We have got the money and the club will spend,” Moyes has warned, but City remains a more realistic option.
This is, of course, all speculation. The reality is that Messi is locked into a contract until 2016 and he has often voiced that he hopes to remain at the club for the rest of his playing days.
However, until he reaffirms that desire then rumours will persist.
Dreams have had a habit of coming true at City over the last four years and, while a sensational January swoop may be unlikely, a move for Messi in the summer may just be giving the rest of England and Europe sleepless nights.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 24-12-2009
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is keeping tabs on striker Craig Bellamy should new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini ditch the Wales international in January's transfer window. However, Redknapp must sell before he can buy, with Roman Pavlyuchenko the likely candidate to fund Bellamy's arrival. The Sun http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... -Bell.html
Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has suggested Liverpool sounded out Roberto Mancini as a replacement for Rafael Benitez before the Italian moved to Eastlands. Daily Telegraph (See yesterday's bollox)
Ipswich manager Roy Keane believes former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes should never have joined Manchester City. "I wouldn't have got involved with City - never," he said.The Sun ZZZZZZZ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... urkey.html
Can Liverpool and Man City create the biggest ever Kolo/Yaya Toure chant on St Stephen’s Day?
High flyers Manchester City and Liverpool meet on St. Stephen’s Day and the ever popular Toure brother’s chant could get its biggest ever rendition.
The top of the table clash will see the Reds attempt to prevent Manuel Pellegrini’s side from taking all three points, something no team has managed yet at the Etihad, but the presence of the Toure brothers will also give supporters something more to shout about than just the football.
Football supporters have tailored 2 Unlimited’s number one hit No Limits to incorporate Yaya and Kolo and it has quickly become something of a cult classic. Fans up and down the country have taken to the song and it can be heard regularly at PDC Darts events, while the two players themselves have appeared in videos lending their support to the chant.
With the Ivorian brothers in opposite sides for the game at Eastlands on Thursday evening, it is hoped that both sets of fans will join in for what would be the biggest rendition of the song.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 24-12-2010
Balotelli’s Xmas sack
MARIO BALOTELLI has been axed by Roberto Mancini for being lazy and miserable.
The Italian striker turned in an awful display for Manchester City in Monday's home defeat by Everton.
And Mancini said: "If Mario deserves to play he will play. If he doesn't deserve to play he doesn't play. If Mario doesn't work, he doesn't play.
"It's not important Mario has a good technique and is a good player. If we want to improve we need everybody giving 200 per cent.
"Mario is a special player but you have to put strength and heart into your performances."
Balotelli, 20, has started five of City's last six games but will be on the bench for their Boxing Day trip to Newcastle.
He has bagged five goals in nine games so far, but has also been red-carded and turned in some shockers while never looking like he is enjoying a minute.
Mancini believes Balotelli can be the best player in the world, but right now he has run out of patience with him.
The Eastlands boss added: "He must improve his situation and smile. I do not know why he does not look happy.
"Manchester is not like Milan but he has to accept it."
Mancini bought Balotelli from Inter Milan for £24million in the summer having worked with him at the San Siro.
And he said: "We do have a good relationship but he must play well, must work hard every day, like the other players."
Mancini has hinted captain Carlos Tevez should apologise to fans to help restore his standing with the City faithful.
Tevez withdrew a transfer request on Monday after a week-long wrangle.
Mancini said: "I don't know. Maybe he should apologise.
"It is now important Carlos plays well and scores goals. But the fans still love him."
Liverpool Plan £8m Move for Manchester City Midfielder
Roy Hodgson hopes to bring Eastlands youngster to Anfield.
Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson. The Eastlands midfielder has spent the best part of two seasons out injured or off form and it appears that Roberto Mancini sees the youngster as very surplus to requirements and Roy Hodgson is interested in bringing the former Everton youth team player back to Merseyside.
Johnson has not started a Premier League match since August 2008 but the Anfield boss believes the former England Under 21 has enough potential to forge a top tier career and hopes to persuade Man City to sell the player to Liverpool.
Roy Hodgson is under instructions to bring in additions that have suit the club’s long term plans and with the help of Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli Liverpool have begun constructing a list of preferred targets and Michael Johnson is a player that reportedly interests both parties.
A move for the 22 year old midfielder would cost around £8m and given that Mancini has been told to cut back on unneccesary costs the Eastlands club may well listen to offers for a player who appears to be very low down the Man City pecking order.
Jesus Navas to deliver Man City Christmas cheer
JESUS NAVAS thinks Manchester City are guaranteed a win in their explosive Boxing Day clash with Liverpool - if they play with their normal home swagger.
High-flying Liverpool are one point ahead of City going into Thursday's clash.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers believes the title is still City's to lose despite his own side's impressive start to the campaign.
Manuel Pellegrini's men have won all eight of their home league matches this term and are also starting to click on their travels.
Spain winger Navas, 28, is certain City will get the win over Liverpool that could see them move to the top of the table if they play their normal game.
Navas said: "We have to think about ourselves and we need to train very hard. If we do the things that we usually do, we're going to win the match.
"All matches in the Premier League have that high intensity. They are very quick but I'm very happy here.
"I enjoy it here as much as I can. The pace and intensity is fantastic and I'm willing to stay here for a long time."
GOLDEN BOLLOX 24-12-2011
We'll score when we want... and rampant Man City look as though they really can
A chorus of 'we'll score when we want' has become commonplace at Manchester City this season, and Roberto Mancini's players believe they now have the firepower to open up any team in the Barclays Premier League.
City lead English football's top division at Christmas for the first time in 89 years, and they have done so by becoming the quickest team to rack up 50 goals in nearly half a century.
Mancini's side have scored three or more in 12 of their 17 games this season. With £140million-worth of attacking talent in Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Mario Balotelli, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko, plus plenty more in support, they have evolved into a team almost unrecognisable from the one labelled negative at times last season.
It took a while to break down stubborn Stoke in Wednesday's 3-0 win at the Eithad Stadium, but at times it really does look as though City can score when they want.
'We have the balance now,' said defender Joleon Lescott. 'Last season we were hard to break down but not scoring as many free-flowing goals.
'This year it has been the opposite. We have been scoring goals at will, but still have the strength and belief to keep clean sheets.
'On any given day we can punish teams, as we did with Stoke.
'The manager came here in mid-season after the regime of Mark Hughes and didn't change a lot. But when we came back for pre-season the next summer, he put his own stamp on things.
'He changed us as a whole. Last season we got a lot of uncalled-for negative publicity because the goals weren't flowing freely. But this year we have the belief and the confidence to score more goals.
'I think we did need to change, and it's working. We're scoring a lot of goals and winning games and have an air of confidence about us.
'But that is controlled – you don't want it to be too arrogant. The main thing is to keep going, keep progressing, and keep our feet on the ground.
'We never think we are unbeatable at home. But we just take it as a compliment that a team like Stoke has to come here and adapt their game to combat us.'
Lescott admits that facing such an array of attacking talent at City's Carrington training base every day can be a nightmare for the defenders.
'It's hard to face them in training, especially now the pitches are a bit more slippery,' he added.
'The manager does well to restrict it to two-touch and three-touch to keep us on our toes!
'We hadn't been getting many clean sheets before winning against Arsenal on Sunday so we've been doing some extra defensive work, and it has paid off.
'We needed to continue that consistency, and keeping another clean sheet against Stoke was massive for us.'
Lescott believes that losing their undefeated record at Chelsea earlier this month has only made City harder to beat. Mancini's side have gone a whole year unbeaten at home in 2011, winning 27 games and drawing the other two in all competitions.
'The Chelsea defeat was never going to damage our confidence,' said Lescott. 'It hurt us a bit, being our first loss, but it also woke us up a bit.
'We had a similar kind of performance in the Community Shield against United, and that woke us up. Now hopefully the defeat at Chelsea will do the same.'
James Milner wants Manchester City to be more of a 'boring' team this Christmas
A dull performance could help contain the likes of Luis Suarez, who Man City will have to face when they take on Liverpool on Boxing Day
“Boring” James Milner has admitted he wishes Manchester City could make things a little more dull - starting against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
The England midfielder’s magnificent month continued as he came off the bench to seal City’s 4-2 win at Fulham.
It was the 51st Premier League goal Manuel Pellegrini’s side have scored in just 17 games so far, making them the country’s cavalier kings.
But despite scoring 10 in their past two matches, City have also conceded five, and Milner, subject of a parody Twitter account that plays on his perceived dourness, admitted he would not mind a few more comfortable afternoons.
In a line that could have been drawn directly from the Twittersphere world of “Boring James Milner”, the Yorkshireman said: “We’d like to have games that are a bit more boring if we can - maybe a 1-0 or 2-0.
“When you are 2-0 up you like to see out the job but it would have been a big blow if we hadn’t won, going into Christmas with a lot of big games coming up.
“It would have made Christmas dinner taste worse for the fans, so it was good to get the win before two games in quick succession.
“We now have the momentum to go into those games and hopefully get six points.”
Milner added: “You can’t get anywhere in football without scoring goals, but as a side that’s looking to improve, we can improve at the other end, as a team.
“Hopefully we can get a few more clean sheets which will be more important as the season goes on.
“We need to work on the mistakes we are making throughout the team. When we are conceding goals it’s not the defence and the goalkeeper, it’s the whole team.
“It takes the whole team to score goals and the whole team to defend, and we can work on that. At the moment we are scoring enough to win games.
“At Fulham we showed character again to get those extra two goals at the end and get the win.
“These are the sort of games you have to win if you want to win the title, so it was really important.”
Even more important, though, will be continuing that 100 per cent home record when Luis Suarez comes calling on Thursday.
The Uruguayan star is inducing fear up and down the land - not least in Roy Hodgson’s thoughts as the England boss turns his mind towards Sao Paulo in June - and Milner, in his understated manner, agreed: “He’s having a pretty good season.
“He’s a dangerous player. We have come up against dangerous players so far this season, but he will definitely be right up there, so we will need to keep him quiet.
“But Liverpool are a top side having a good season, and it’s not just about stopping him, because they have plenty of other players who can do damage as well.
“So we need to get rested for these next two games and hopefully keep our home run going.
“Every game is very important for us. We dropped points earlier in the season so we need to keep going and get a winning run going.”
Pellegrini seems set to stick with Gael Clichy as cover for the injured Pablo Zabaleta at right back.
Milner himself might be an alternative although he seems to be enjoying his chance to get forward after also sealing City’s remarkable comeback win at Bayern Munich.
“The manager has options there,” said Milner. “I would prefer not to play there, but if he asks me I will do it to the best of my ability.
“For all of us, the team comes first, so it’s about what’s best for the team.
“It’s not easy playing right back when you have spent your life playing on the other side, like Gael has, but he was outstanding.
“As an attacking player, it’s easier to swap sides but defensively, your body position is different, with players coming at you from different angles.
“So far the month hasn’t been too bad for me. You want to contribute as much as you can and if you get the chance, go out and prove yourself.
“It will take every single player in the squad to contribute if we are going to win anything this year.
“We are still in all competitions, and it doesn’t take 11 players to win any of them - you need 25.
“We will have injuries and suspensions, and you everyone needs to make sure that they are ready to step in when it’s their time, and play well.”
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Chelsea are interested in signing Serbia winger Lazar Markovic, 19, and midfielder Nemanja Matic, 25, from Benfica. Matic joined the Portuguese club in 2011 as part of 26-year-old defender David Luiz's move to Stamford Bridge. Daily Mirror
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says midfielder Ross Barkley, 20, is not for sale even if a club bid a world-record £86m. Daily Mirror
Cruzeiro midfielder Everton Ribeiro, 24, will turn down Real Madrid to join Manchester United. Daily Star
Real Madrid forward Angel Di Maria, 25, has denied he has asked to leave the Spanish club. The Argentina international is a reported target for Arsenal and Tottenham. Metro
Liverpool are keeping an eye on 25-year-old Croatia and Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has a buy-out clause of £33m but could be available for £7m. DSSC
West Ham will try to solve their goalscoring problems by making a move to sign Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, 28, on loan for six months from United Arab Emirates side Al Ain. Sun
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, whose side are bottom of the Premier League, will go back to former club Brighton in an attempt to sign 24-year-old midfielder Liam Bridcutt for £2m. Daily Telegraph
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Reds midfielder Raheem Sterling, 19, can force his way into England's 2014 World Cup squad. DSSC
Manchester United's Michael Carrick, 32, could return from an Achilles problem against Hull on Boxing Day with fellow midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, out following wrist surgery. Daily Telegraph
West Brom's search for a new manager has reached the short-listing stage with former Real Betis boss Pepe Mel, 50, linked with the job. Steve Clarke left The Hawthorns on 14 December. Birmingham Mail
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, who has been struggling with knee and hip injuries, has returned to Belgium to for treatment and the 23-year-old could miss his side's games against Crystal Palace and Swansea over Christmas. Daily Star
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 26, was nutmegged by a young interviewer after a revealing chat about his tea-drinking habits, his dream of winning the Premier League and how he cannot understand his daughter's Scouse accent. Liverpool official website
GOLDEN BOLLOX 24-12-2012
Manchester City want Arsenal star on free transfer
Manchester City are hoping to sign Arsenal winger Theo Walcott on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to the Daily Star.
The England international is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season, and negotiations have so far failed to reach an agreement between the two parties, leading to speculation Walcott could leave the club, with Manchester City reportedly interested.
Walcott is free to begin talks with other clubs when the January transfer window opens, as he will have just six months left on his Gunners contract.
And City's new sporting director Txiki Begiristain is keen to bring Walcott to the club. The report claims City are willing to make an offer to Arsenal, if the north London club want to recoup a fee for the 23-year-old, but they are also prepared to wait until the end of the season in an attempt to sign him for free.
In the past three seasons, the Premier League champions have convinced a number of Arsenal's first-team players to move to the Etihad Stadium, including Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Adebayor.
They reportedly attempted to persuade former-Arsenal club captain Robin Van Persie to sign for the club, only for the Dutchman to join rivals Manchester United in a £24m deal last August.
The report claims City are desperate to sign a winger, with Tottenham wide-man Aaron Lennon their first target. But Roberto Mancini's side are now reportedly set to turn to Walcott, who wants £100,000-a-week to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
The Daily Star also reports that Walcott is a target for Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
MORE BOLLOX SOON
