Gonzalez in Man City plans for next seasonpublished at 16:29 7 July
16:29 7 July
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Nico Gonzalez remains in Manchester City's plans for next season, despite reports linking the midfielder with a move away.
The 23-year-old joined from Porto for £50m in January as cover for the injured Rodri and played 16 times in all competitions last season.
But the Spaniard featured in just 61 minutes during the Club World Cup in the United States, which cast doubt, external about his future at Etihad Stadium.
Manager Pep Guardiola has openly spoken about the need to trim down his squad but, as it stands, it is understood Gonzalez is no more likely to leave City than any other player.
An exit, though, has not been fully ruled out as every player has their value. If a sufficient offer comes in, and Gonzalez says he wants to leave, then the situation could change.
Man City to face fellow City Football Group side Palermo in pre-seasonpublished at 15:47 7 July
15:47 7 July
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City will travel to face fellow City Football Group side Palermo in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, 9 August.
The match will begin the celebrations for the Italian club's 125th year anniversary, with the two clubs competing for the Anglo Palermitan trophy at the Renzo Barbera Stadium in Sicily.
Serie B side Palermo are managed by Filippo Inzaghi - the former Italy striker's brother, Simone, masterminded Al-Hilal's shock last-16 victory over City at the Club World Cup last week.
City players are currently on holiday following the tournament in the United States and are scheduled to return to training on Monday, 28 July.
'One of the league's best ever right-backs' - fans on Walkerpublished at 18:36 5 July
18:36 5 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you how Kyle Walker will be remembered now he has left Manchester City for Burnley.
Here are some of your comments:
Adam: Fondly! Right backs aren't right-backs anymore but you knew Kyle always had the legs to get back and put a cracking tackle in. He's had so many world class left-wingers in his back pocket.
Scott: He won them all, played alongside some of the world's best players, and captained the club (as part of the captain's group) during its most successful spell. Nothing but thanks from me.
Peter: Unbelievable player - what a great signing. He gave City a trophy-laden career. One of England's best-ever full-backs. Loved him.
Duncan: Despite a serious drop off in form last season, most fans will have fond memories of Kyle Walker and what he did to help the club achieve what they did during his tenure. Now is the right time for him to move on though.
Mark: A legend of the club. He gave everything.
Daz: There's no doubt he's been so integral in all that City has won with Pep, especially the Treble year when City were at their very best in Europe. His pace helped us out of transition with the world's best forwards. His off-field decisions at times may taint his legacy, but on the pitch he was so important. I wish him all the best with Burnley. His experience will count for much.
Dave: A fantastic player who has been one of the best right-backs the club and Premier League have seen. Played a key role so often and when he came up against the best in the Premier League and in the Champions League, he was entirely dependable. In the more recent period, his role as club captain was less clear and acceptable. In my opinion, it was not appropriate given the more negative aspects of his off-field life that has clearly affected his on-field performances.
Centurion to Treble winner - Walker's City highlightspublished at 18:21 5 July
18:21 5 July
Alex Fletcher BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Kyle Walker has left Manchester City after more than 300 appearances and eight trophy-laden years at Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola.
The right-back spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan, and has now joined Burnley on a permanent basis.
But what are some of his highlights in the sky blue of City?
August 2017 - Premier League debut
Image source, Getty Images
Walker moved to Etihad Stadium in a £50m transfer from Tottenham as he hoped to add trophies to his CV.
He made his Premier League debut against Brighton a month after his arrival.
Walker would become a key part of Guardiola's new-look City, with peerless pace and sheer power down the right-hand side.
May 2018 - City's centurions
Image source, Getty Images
In his first season at the club, Walker helped guide City to their first Premier League title since 2014.
They became the first team to reach 100 points in a single Premier League season and ended the campaign 19 points ahead of runners-up Manchester United.
The season marked the beginning of a period of domination.
October 2020 - Scoring the winner at his hometown club on 100th appearance
Image source, Getty Images
In the Covid-affected season of 2020-21, City travelled to Sheffield United, a club where Walker grew up and came through the youth set-up.
It was the full-back's 100th game and he marked it in perfect style, scoring the only goal at Bramall Lane to secure three points.
June 2023 - Treble secured in Istanbul
Image source, Getty Images
Having already won the Premier League and FA Cup in 2023, City faced Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Seeking to win a first European trophy, they were also looking to equal rivals Manchester United in achieving a European and domestic Treble.
Walker came off the bench in the 82nd minute in Istanbul to help his side defend their slender one-goal advantage.
City held on to crown the biggest night in the club's history.
May 2024 - City win four in a row
Image source, Getty Images
Walker was appointed club captain at the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Despite relentless pressure from Arsenal, City were able to win the title by two points after a remarkable end to the season.
The trophy marked a fourth successive Premier League crown, as Pep Guardiola's side broke another record with Walker leading the dressing room.
4 January 2025 - Final Man City appearance
Image source, Getty Images
After 18 trophies in eight years at the club, Walker played his final game for City against West Ham United in early January.
A week later he asked to leave the club as he looked to gain regular football following a difficult start to the season.
Walker went to Italy on loan but will return to Etihad Stadium in a Burnley shirt next season.
'Could be as many as eight players leaving'published at 15:06 3 July
15:06 3 July
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Radio Manchester spoke to Daily Mail's northern football reporter Jack Gaughan about Manchester City's Club World Cup campaign and estimates potentially eight playerscould need to leave City this summer.
"I think they'd gone all out to win it," Gaughan said, "I think the team selections were done to manage minutes in the players but also to manage the tournament with a look ahead that maybe they'd get to the semis and need to manage the minutes of people there.
"They were definitely, definitely up for winning it. They really wanted to be here and I think for the prestige of the club more than anything else.
"You would have seen the looks on the players' faces at full-time [against Al Hilal] - they all looked gutted.
"It was sort of a contradiction in the sense that everybody, even here, were saying 'it's too much' and 'a tournament too far' but then the competitive edge took over and the players all wanted to win and wanted to be here."
On potential player departures: "I think there could be as many as eight going if you include Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips.
"They've got to get rid of four foreign players because of the homegrown problems they've got in the Champions League. If they don't, Guardiola is going to have to leave people out of the squad and he doesn't like doing that.
Q&A: Have City become too predictable?published at 15:52 2 July
15:52 2 July
Image source, Getty Images
In the final part of Wednesday's Q&A with our Shamoon Hafez, we focus on the challenges Pep Guardiola's side face when coming up against opponents who sit in a low block defensively.
Brian asked: Are Manchester City now too predictable to play against? New signings can only make a difference if the way City play changes to max out the new expertise in the team. Surely City are not wedded to a system or process and are driven by success?
Shamoon: It is a fair suggestion to say City have become somewhat predictable. We only need to look at the FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace and the goallless draw at rock bottom Southampton for recent examples of that, and then the loss to Al-Hilal.
Coming up against that low block - a team happy to sit back, soak up the pressure then hit City on the counter - is turning into a real conundrum for Guardiola to solve.
Previously they have had the magic of Kevin de Bruyne to unlock the defence, but which player in this City squad possesses that quality? Rayan Cherki's pass for Phil Foden's goal on Monday was delightful, but can he conjure that up on regular basis?
Q&A: Is it imperative City address their right-back problem?published at 12:39 2 July
12:39 2 July
Image source, Getty Images
You have been sending in your questions for our Manchester City reporter Shamoon Hafez, and he is answering a selection through Wednesday.
In this second of a three-part Q&A, he looks at Pep Guardiola's team selection and the areas City still need to strengthen before the start of the new Premier League season.
Mark asked: Why does Guardiola not learn from previous mistakes by not playing a proper defensive midfielder when he has got best in world and bought another one?
Shamoon: I do think Guardiola got his team selection wrong against Al-Hilal, then made the wrong changes - and then waited too long to bring Phil Foden on.
Guardiola said he was "surprised" by Al-Hilal's low block as he thought they would press and they were continuously getting done on the counter, so it may have been worthwhile switching to a back three and shoring it up in the middle of the park with Tijjani Reijnders plus another.
Foden was introduced in the 100th minute, which was far too late having scored, and he should also have taken one of Jeremy Doku or Savinho off – both are extremely talented players but can be so frustrating to watch.
The big concern is a potential injury to Rodri, introduced as a second-half substitute before getting taken off. Guardiola said he was "complaining about his situation" but he will be hoping it is nothing major.
Michael asked: Isn't it imperative City address the right-back problem?
Shamoon asked: In short, yes, it is absolutely imperative to get this sorted before 16 August.
Matheus Nunes is not a right-back and we saw that against Al-Hilal on Monday night. The Portuguese has been shoehorned in as a square peg in a round hole and though he performed well in the group stages, the Saudi side were a step up in class and it was evident the club need to act in that position.
Sources had said before the start of the tournament the right-back position may be one to keep an eye on during the transfer window. Well, we've got both eyes firmly fixed on that situation now to see how they go about sorting it.
Newcastle's Tino Livramento has been linked, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be done as Eddie Howe is unlikely to sanction his exit unless a tempting offer is made.
Come back to this page later on Wednesday for the final part of the Q&A, which looks at City's tactics and how they might evolve
Q&A: Has campaign ended on a low before 2025-26 preparations?published at 09:19 2 July
09:19 2 July
Image source, Getty Images
Our football news reporter out in the United States covering Manchester City has been answering your questions on their Club World Cup campaign that ended at the hands of Al-Hilal on Monday.
In this first of a three-part Q&A, Shamoon Hafez looks at how the competition may affect City's preparation for the start of the Premier League season.
Fazil asked: Do you think it's a blessing in disguise that City were eliminated? This provides the players with more rest for a better pre-season before the Premier League.
Shamoon: I don't see it that way and I don't think the club will either. Pep Guardiola spoke about wanting to win the competition after earning the right to be there, so there will be major disappointment they fell at the first knockout stage.
Aside from the embarrassment of losing to a club from the Middle East, City missed out on an extra £9.5m by not reaching the knockout stage. They banked £37.8m in total during this tournament, which is less than half the £91.9m they would have earned in going all the way.
But the outcome can't be changed, so the players can now head off on their holidays for a rest before returning to training on 28 July.
Paul asked: Considering City's under-par performance in the Premier League last season, and the fact the team was clearly outnumbered at the Club World Cup by a more motivated Al-Hilal, do you think the campaign ended on a low and this might affect 2025-26?
Shamoon: Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak and Guardiola have both said the competition was the start of the new season, rather than a continuation of the last. It went swimmingly in the group stages but they come unstuck against a well-drilled Al-Hilal side that, in the end, did a number on City by sitting back and hitting them on the break.
The new signings are exciting – Tijjani Reijnders' energy, Rayan Cherki's impact in the final third and Rayan Ait-Nouri's contributions going forward - but City are a real mess defensively.
There were signs of vulnerability against Wydad AC and Al-Ain in the opening two games. They were unable to capitalise but City were found out against decent opposition.
Guardiola needs to spend the next few weeks working on a plan to fix his backline before the start of the Premier League campaign.
Come back to this page later on Wednesday for part two of the Q&A, which focuses on squad selection and areas to strengthen
Gossip: City set to sign 15-year-old Cadamarteripublished at 07:10 2 July
07:10 2 July
Manchester City will sign 15-year-old Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri from Sheffield Wednesday in a £1.5m deal. The forward is the son of former Everton striker Danny. (Mail), external
A 'perfect wake-up call' for 'decision makers' published at 17:30 1 July
17:30 1 July
Freddie Pye Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
As you can probably expect, social media has reacted in force to Manchester City's "shock" defeat to Al Hilal at the Fifa Club World Cup. But just how much of a "shock" should this be?
When you take into account the scorelines up until this point, you may have been tricked into thinking Pep Guardiola's side were back to their blistering best. But the level of opposition has been poor, and even with Juventus, the Italians were already through to the knockouts, fielded a much-changed side, and are undergoing serious work under Igor Tudor to return to their best.
Then you look at Al Hilal; a team hungry to prove to the world that Saudi Arabian football can compete with Europe's elite, stacked with stars such as Bono, Joao Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and so on, and a team able to play on the transition - the ultimate downfall of Guardiola's squad on so many occasions last season.
The long and short of the story should be that City fans should not be overly concerned by the early exit from the tournament, and despite the words coming out of the camp with regards to how seriously the competition was being taken, Guardiola's team selections and in-game rotation perhaps tells a different story.
The feeling off the back of last season's disastrous campaign was that rest was needed this summer, and with the new Premier League schedule kicking off on 16 August, you would rather City exited the US now rather than going all the way to the final and still failing to emerge triumphant.
But the next six weeks present a further chance for a serious assessment of this City squad, with fans crying out for further alterations particularly in the way of exits.
The feeling is that Guardiola may have to take emotion out of decisions after the performances of some of his most-trusted stars this summer.
Perhaps the exit to Al Hilal in the last-16 will give decision makers the perfect wake-up call to not rest on the work already completed, and continue with the "aggression" in the market that chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted upon.
A lucky break for Man City?published at 15:35 1 July
15:35 1 July
Noel Sliney BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
If there is any solace for Manchester City in the wake of their shock early exit from the Club World Cup, it is that the squad now has a chance to recharge before the new season.
The 61 games played by City since August equals their most in a season since Pep Guardiola became manager in 2016.
Only three top-flight clubs in Europe have played more often over the past 11 months, albeit Chelsea will also overtake City this weekend.
Chelsea, of course, had the luxury of fielding vastly different line-ups in Europe throughout 2024-25 compared to domestically.
City, with a smaller squad, have four of the 15 outfield players currently with Premier League clubs to have played more than 100 games over the past two seasons: Tijjani Reijnders (107), Ilkay Gundogan (105), Phil Foden (102) and Bernardo Silva (101).
In addition, that quartet were regular starters for their country at Euro 2024 and, with the exception of Gundogan, continue to play international football.
Only two outfield players in Europe's major leagues can top the 4,861 minutes racked up by City's recent signing Reijnders for AC Milan last season, while Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland all rank in the top 13 among Premier League players.
Man City Q&A: Send in your questions after Club World Cup exitpublished at 14:14 1 July
14:14 1 July
Defending champions Manchester City suffered a surprising Club World Cup exit at the last-16 stage after being stunned 4-3 following extra time by Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League.
Pep Guardiola's side had been one of the favourites for the inaugural expanded Fifa competition. They sailed unscathed through the group stage, but came up short at the first knockout hurdle overnight on Tuesday.
The City boss said after the match it was now time to "rest our minds for the new season" and, despite the early exit, the club are still expected to pocket about £37.8m for reaching the last 16.
BBC Sport football news reporter Shamoon Hafez has been in the US following the team and he is ready to answer your questions about Manchester City.
They could be about City's Club World Cup performance, squad decisions that were made and the likely impact on the team, or they could be looking ahead to the rest of the summer, pre-season and transfers... whatever's on your mind.
And stay across this page later this week for Shamoon's answers to a selection of the best
'City are not back yet'- fans on Club World Cup defeatpublished at 13:18 1 July
13:18 1 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on City's 4-3 defeat by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.
Here are some of your comments:
John: I'm not too bothered really. After a long season, this tournament has just been a money-making scheme. I'm glad we're out because our players need to get some downtime so that they can rest properly.
Brian: When will City wake up and realise virtually every goal they concede begins by losing possession in the opposing half and they are then beaten by the quick breakaway? It has been so for a season and a half. Long gone are the days when a City keeper wins the Golden Glove. While the Hilal game was a cracker, City remain so na8ive defensively.
Gabe: What I want to know is how, after all these new signings, we still managed to lose against a club from Saudi Arabia. City have one good game against Juventus and everyone claims they're back. They are not back yet. There is still a long way to go before that happens and still work to be done if we're going to challenge for any trophies this upcoming season.
Andrew: The same repeated flaw. City play so high that you need a world-class defensive midfielder to cover if the ball is lost - and that of course is Rodri. The mistake goes back to the Champions League final against Chelsea. When he is absent and inverted full-backs often playing ahead of the ball, a transition easily puts pressure on the centre-backs, who are not super quick (except for Khusanov). So we need to solve it by always including that role in the tactical set-up and developing Nico Gonzalez, especially Nico O'Reilly, and John Stones for when Rodri is not available.
Barbara: Ederson's performance last season should have been Guardiola's spur to sign a top-class goalkeeper. He is a busted flush and I doubt Saudi clubs would want him on a free after that display.
Michael: Shocking defensively. Slow, ponderous play yet again. Doku and Savinho are simply average... worrying. Liverpool won't be worried about that City team.
A year of unwanted recordspublished at 13:18 1 July
13:18 1 July
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Defeat by Al-Hilal brings the curtain down on a gruelling and challenging season for Manchester City which began 325 days ago with the Community Shield against Manchester United on 10 August.
It's not gone quite to plan for manager Pep Guardiola, with City losing 17 games in all competitions, which is at least five more than in any other season since his appointment and the club's highest total since 2008-09.
While City have scored 130 goals in 61 fixtures, the defensive lapses exposed in their Club World Cup exit have become increasingly common.
They conceded 78 times this term, comfortably their worst record under Guardiola. That is 32 more than they shipped in the Treble-winning campaign of 2022-23, when they played the same number of matches.
With over £100m invested in new signings this summer, and an additional £140m spent in January, the eight-time Premier League champions will expect a substantial improvement next term.
How much did Man City earn at the Club World Cup?published at 11:04 1 July
11:04 1 July
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City earned about £37.8m for reaching the last 16 at the 2025 Club World Cup.
Of the money they won, City got about £4.4m for their three group-stage victories over Wydad, Al Ain and Juventus.
City were the only club at the competition to win all three group matches.
For reaching the last 16, they earned an additional £5.4m.
The remainder of their prize money comes from a participation fee. For European clubs, that is between £9.3m and £27.7m for taking part in the competition based on sporting and commercial criteria, with City earning the maximum available.
Winning the final alone is worth £29m, with £21.8m on offer for finishing as the runner-up.
'There was always a feeling of danger'published at 10:47 1 July
10:47 1 July
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's Club World Cup exit at the end of Saudi side Al-Hilal hurt "a little bit" like Champions League elimination, says Bernado Silva.
Pep Guardiola's side were beaten 4-3 after extra time in Orlando and now have more time to rest before the start of their Premier League campaign.
A run to the final would have prolonged their campaign until 13 July - just five weeks before the next season begins - but Silva refused to take positives from the result.
"No-one wanted to lose," he said post-match.
"We are very used to not having holidays, unfortunately, because the schedule is crazy and when we are in a competition we take it very seriously.
"We had a lot of ambition for this Club World Cup and we wanted to win it."
Asked if the defeat hurt as much as Champions League elimination, Silva added: "Yes, a little bit. Yes."
Silva opened the scoring against Al-Hilal but City did not lead the match again before Marcos Leonardo's winner eight minutes before the end of extra time.
"There was always a feeling of danger coming from them when they recovered the ball in transition and their counters," he said. "We allowed them to run way too many times.
"But apart from that we had chances. We scored three goals and we could have scored five or six.
"We were expecting another difficult game like Juventus and when you don't control transitions then good players, like Al-Hilal have, punish you. That's what happened."
On City's new Premier League season beginning at Wolves on 16 August, Silva added: "We will try to have as much rest as possible but also come back to prepare for the season properly."
Guardiola's perfect record ends in haphazard fashionpublished at 09:24 1 July
09:24 1 July
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter in Orlando
Image source, Getty Images
The Club World Cup group stage had been plain sailing for Manchester City, winning all three games, but they fell at the first knockout hurdle following a haphazard defensive display.
Pep Guardiola's side were often opened up on the counter-attack and made to pay heavily for their sloppiness at both ends of the pitch - failing to take a host of first-half chances.
The result also ends Guardiola's flawless record at the Club World Cup as manager of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.
The Spaniard had won all 11 of his previous matches at the tournament, conceding just four goals - but that total doubled in the space of 120 thrilling minutes in Orlando.
"It wasn't a fluke but really worrying signs," former City goalkeeper Shay Given said on Dazn.
"Al-HIlal could have scored even more. It is a real worry the chances they gave up."
For Guardiola, the task now is to sort out the issues they faced in Florida before the Premier League opener at Wolves on 16 August.
Image source, Getty Images
