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Manchester City: Half-term reportpublished at 15:50 11 January
15:50 11 January
Not quite at their majestic best so far this season but there are signs of that form in recent games and the return of Kevin de Bruyne will be a massive lift both psychologically and in terms of their performances. Erling Haaland will also be back soon and we are entering that time of the year when Manchester City usually fire on all cylinders.
They are right in touch despite some slips, and are still my tip to win the title.
Current position: Third.
McNulty's pre-season prediction: First.
What McNulty said in August: "Throw in the phenomenon that is Haaland and the enduring genius of De Bruyne, allied to so many others, and the champions will be the same again for me this season."
Why Alvarez should not make way for returning De Bruynepublished at 12:30 11 January
12:30 11 January
Image source, Getty Images
Nat Hayward, BBC Sport
Aged 23, Julian Alvarez has won the lot.
The first player in history to win a World Cup and a Treble in the same season but, until this year, he was not an automatic pick for Manchester City's first XI.
Last season, he was City's most-used substitute, collecting 18 Premier League appearances from the bench.
The plan was always for a more integral role this season - so often the case in a second year under Guardiola - but the hamstring injury suffered by Kevin de Bruyne increased his opportunity.
In the Belgian's absence, Alvarez has started each of City's 19 Premier League matches, registering 13 goal involvements. He also has four goals and one assist in four Champions League appearances despite only starting once.
Operating mostly just behind main forward Erling Haaland, he has led the line impressively in the Norwegian's injury absence, bagging important goals against Everton and Sheffield United as well as assisting Jack Grealish's winner at Luton.
However, with De Bruyne fit again and Haaland likely to be back before the end of January, something will have to give in City's attack.
It shouldn't be Alvarez.
The former River Plate man is a master at both finding space and making it for others. He is a facilitator and a killer in front of goal. City have creativity and quality in droves, but a player of Alvarez's profile is unique.
Often numbers can be misleading, or a player overperforms in terms of stats. In Alvarez's case, he leads the squad for expected Premier League assists, and is second only to Haaland for expected non-penalty goals, illustrating consistent involvement in the attack.
With De Bruyne sure to be gradually eased in to a regular starting role, Guardiola has the opportunity to play him in the right-sided role he has excelled in so often in recent years and keep Alvarez centrally - behind Haaland when he is fit or as the main striker when he is not.
The Argentina striker's development at City is stark and keeping him as first choice in a position he has made his own this season could be the sign of faith that he can be one of the key figures at City for years to come.
Foden's increased minutes point to added influence at Man Citypublished at 08:57 11 January
08:57 11 January
Image source, EPA
Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport
At 23, it is hard to call Phil Foden a senior statesman - but against Huddersfield on Sunday he was certainly the main man alongside a band of fellow academy graduates that crave to follow in his footsteps.
Foden has been a key part of Pep Guardiola’s squad for almost six years now, but the England midfielder seems to have taken on more responsibility this season in the absence of talismanic players such as Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
At the halfway point of the season, he has played 1,518 minutes in the Premier League. That is only 300 minutes fewer than in the whole of the 2022-23 campaign, or about three-and-a-half games’ worth.
His record came in 2021-22 - 2,134 minutes - a number he will surely smash through unless Guardiola decides to manage his time on the field as the season moves towards its sharp end.
His goal output in the league is slightly down on the past two campaigns, perhaps a symptom of being regularly deployed on the right wing, a more unfamiliar area albeit to a player that has featured across the entire midfield and forward lines.
However, it is four goals in his past four games in all competitions, with Guardiola noting Foden’s importance after the win at Everton last month, given Haaland’s continued struggles to get fit.
One might expect that number to rise too as Foden is having more shots per game than in any previous season, averaging 2.55 per 90 minutes in the Premier League.
Three assists in his past three Premier League games also speaks to a player whose influence in this City side continues to increase.
With De Bruyne now back, it will be interesting to see if Foden is allowed even more licence to wreak havoc on opposition defences or if his game time gets trimmed.
Whichever way Guardiola opts to utilise these talented playmakers, having their twin threats operating in tandem once more can only spell bad news for City’s rivals.
Phil Foden - a new leader?published at 08:50 11 January
Just recently I've been picking up a couple of changes in Phil Foden. At Luton, Jack Grealish went down for a free-kick. After a few seconds of theatricals, Foden was straight over to him passionately encouraging him to get up with the game not won.
Another example was at Everton. A defender blocked the ball and Foden was over to them immediately to low-five their efforts.
Leadership qualities in the now experienced Foden. He's 23-years-old.
"When I step foot onto that pitch I show a lot of passion," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "I know the players can have a go at me because I can take it and I can do that back to them.
"That's the type of team we are, we fight for each other, trying to help each other and give each other confidence on the pitch."
Team-mate Nathan Ake has also noticed Foden's growth as a player.
"Obviously he's getting older as well. He's getting mature and he's been so decisive in the last few seasons," Ake said.
"He's stepped up more, talking and taking responsibility. When we're in a difficult moment, he's the one who's getting us out of it."
Foden's status was a big part of last week's We're Not Really Here podcast too as former City defender Nedum Onouha noticed other traits - most notably when helping academy players come through, with Foden himself a graduate.
On that, Foden said: "They look at me and see there's a path there. I'm living proof its possible even in a side like this.
"Long may that continue. It's always nice for me to see academy players come on and play - that's a dream for me also."
'Haaland will eventually go and play in Spain - but not anytime soon'published at 08:35 11 January
08:35 11 January
Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards discussing Erling Haaland's future on the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast: "I find this all very tedious. Haaland, I'm led to believe by well connected people, that he may extend his contract at Manchester City. He's very very happy there.
"Do I think he's going to spend his entire career in Manchester? Of course he's not going to, but there have always been rumours about a release clause in Haaland's contract.
"From what I know, if he extends his contract, they will either remove that release clause completely or it will go even higher.
"I think he will eventually go and play in Spain - but it won't be anytime soon."
Real keep tabs on Haalandpublished at 07:27 11 January
07:27 11 January
Real Madrid are assessing the prospect of signing Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland, 23, because of concerns about whether France forward Kylian Mbappe, 25, will leave Paris St-Germain to join them. (AS - in Spanish, external)
Newcastle v Man City: Pick of the statspublished at 11:14 10 January
11:14 10 January
Newcastle United have won just one of their past 32 Premier League games against Manchester City (D5 L26), beating them 2-1 at St James’ Park in January 2019.
In their Premier League history, City have won more games (30), scored more goals (98), and kept more clean sheets (22) against Newcastle than against any other opponent.
City have scored in each of their past 30 Premier League games against the Magpies, the longest scoring streak one side has had against another in the competition's history.
Newcastle beat Manchester City 1-0 at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. They haven't beaten City twice in the same campaign since 1983-84.
The Magpies have taken 24 points from 10 Premier League home games this season (W8 L2), with only Aston Villa (28 points) and Liverpool (26 points) winning more. They did lose their most recent home game against Nottingham Forest but have never suffered consecutive home defeats under manager Eddie Howe.
Phil Foden has had a hand in seven goals in his past 10 Premier League appearances for Manchester City (four goals, three assists). Since Christmas, Foden has created the most chances in open play in the Premier League (nine).
'If a sensational offer comes in, they will consider it' - the race for Hackneypublished at 08:22 10 January
08:22 10 January
Presenter and reporter Alison Bender talks about Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, who's reportedly attracted interest from Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham.
"They would prefer to wait until the summer, but if a sensational offer does come in, then they will consider it.
"Apparently there have been scouts coming to watch Middlesbrough. But interestingly, when he got injured, suddenly those scouts disappeared - so it's pretty obvious who they were watching."
Meanwhile, former City forward Cole Palmer says he wanted to move on loan from Etihad Stadium last summer but was told he could "either stay or you get sold" before he joined Chelsea. (Sky Sports), external
'I don't think De Bruyne will start against Newcastle'published at 15:22 9 January
15:22 9 January
On the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's We're Not Really Here podcast, Mike Minay and Natalie Pike are joined by former City defender Joleon Lescott to look back at the FA Cup win over Huddersfield and discuss how to manage Kevin de Bruyne's return to first team action.
De Bruyne made his first appearance since August at the weekend, but Lescott believes manager Pep Guardiola will not risk him from the start at Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday:
"I don't think he [De Bruyne] will start - I'd be surprised if he does," said Lescott. "The quality is there but the fitness may not be.
"We know what that arena can draw in terms of atmosphere so adrenaline will be high. That can be draining at times.
"He could start but you only want to start players who you know could finish the game because there could be an unexpected injury and then you're not able to take him off. That makes things difficult.
"I think he will [Guardiola] keep a similar team to the last Premier League game."
However, as the video below shows, Lescott could not hide his excitement at the Belgium midfielder's recovery from injury - and the prospect of him linking up with compatriot Jeremy Doku.
