Manchester City

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Kolo Toure has been promoted from his role as under-18s coach at Manchester City to become assistant of the first team.

Former City defender Toure was drafted in to work with the side during the Club World Cup in the United States but the move has now been made permanent.

Toure joins Jurgen Klopp's former assistant Pep Lijnders and ex-Liverpool set-piece specialist James French in a new-look coaching team under Pep Guardiola.

City director of football Hugo Viana said: "We have been hugely impressed with his work and success with our under-18s and adding him into our senior staff permanently will only strengthen the transition for players in our academy into the first team.

"As we already saw throughout his time with Pep Guardiola, Pep Lijnders and James French this summer, his massive personality of optimism and positivity is hugely infectious and we are already looking forward to his work moving forward."

Former captain Toure spent four seasons as a player at Etihad Stadium, winning the Premier League title in 2011-12, before going on to join Liverpool.

City ended last season without a major trophy. Coaches Juanma Lillo and Inigo Dominguez have left the club, and Carlos Vicens became head coach of Portuguese side Braga.

Manchester City will sell midfielder James McAtee this summer with an eye on generating pure profit from a Profit and Sustainability Rules and Financial Fair Play perspective. (Football Insider), external

McAtee is in Germany to visit Eintracht Frankfurt as a potential new club. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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All 20 clubs earn a share of Premier League prize money. The amount each club receives depends on their league position and number of televised matches.

Prize money consists of UK and international merit broadcast payments, equal shares, commercial revenues and facility fees.

All clubs received a central commercial payment of £7.9m and equal shares from UK (£29.8m) and international (£59.2m) revenues.

Clubs are also paid a facility fee for matches broadcast on domestic TV. Liverpool had 30 of their 38 league matches televised - more than any other club.

1st: Liverpool - £174.9m

2nd: Arsenal - £171.5m

3rd: Manchester City - £165.5m

4th: Chelsea - £163.7m

5th: Newcastle United - £160.2m

6th: Aston Villa - £159.3m

7th: Nottingham Forest - £152.5m

8th: Brighton - £145.1m

9th: Bournemouth - £143.4m

10th: Brentford - £138.9m

11th: Fulham - £135.5m

12th: Crystal Palace - £136.1m

13th: Everton - £131.8m

14th: West Ham - £130.9m

15th: Manchester United - £136.2m

16th: Wolves - £123.1m

17th: Tottenham - £127.8m

18th: Leicester - £116.9m

19th: Ipswich Town - £111.1m

20th: Southampton - £109.2m

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It is 15 years to the day since Manchester City signed 24-year-old David Silva from Valencia for £24m in 2010.

Thus began a trophy-laden decade in Manchester, where Silva won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups, making 436 appearances and scoring 77 goals.

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Two of his four Premier League titles were won in back-to-back seasons under Pep Guardiola in 2018 and 2019, and the great Spanish manager labelled Silva, external "one of the greats, not only in Spanish football but in European football as well".

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However, Silva's impact at City began well before Guardiola's arrival. The footballing sea change from red to blue in Manchester was ignited by the Abu Dhabi-backed takeover in 2008, and realised by the famous 6-1 win at Old Trafford in October 2011.

Silva ran the match, scoring and providing an exquisite assist for Edin Dzeko.

Having ended a 35-year wait for a major trophy just a few months early by winning the FA Cup - after defeating United in the semi-final - City went on to win their first Premier League title that season, on goal difference over their neighbours.

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Silva was also part of the Spain squads that won the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He represented his country 125 times, scoring 35 goals.

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Former team-mate Carlos Tevez described him as "the best signing we have made, external", while Frank Lampard - who played alongside him in the 2014-15 season - said: "I'd put him right in the top bracket of the best players I've played with - he could play in any team in the world."

A statue of Silva was unveiled outside Etihad Stadium in 2021, a year after he returned to Spain with Real Sociedad.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak called him, "a transformational player, a quiet leader who has acted quietly and deliberately and inspired everyone around him."

On seeing the statue, Silva added: "Being at City changed my life. I'm proud of what we did together and I feel emotional that it has been recognised like this."

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Chelsea came through the heat, the cooling breaks, the PSG fury and the glitz of half-time concerts to lift the Club World Cup.

There were iconic images with President Trump that will undoubtedly circulate in prolific manner and, in addition to an eye-catching trophy, the Blues will return from the USA with their pockets full.

Enzo Maresca's side earned around £84m from the tournament, built from a £21.3m participation fee and £62.7m in prize money. That was the biggest haul of all the sides in the competition and over double the £37.8m earned by Manchester City.

Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are among the Premier League clubs considering Manchester City and England Under-21s midfielder James McAtee, 22, this summer. (Sky Sports, external)

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Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Manchester City midfielder James McAtee could be the latest academy star to leave the club in this transfer window.

City have sold Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Romeo Lavia and James Trafford among others from their youth team in recent years and McAtee may well be added to that list.

Sources have told BBC Sport that clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga are interested in signing McAtee.

Reports suggest City have set an asking price of around £25m for the 22-year-old but it is understood the club would want significantly more than that figure.

McAtee's stock is on the rise after opting to miss out on the Club World Cup and instead captaining the England Under-21 side to European Championship glory in Slovakia.

McAtee played 15 times for City in the Premier League last season and also spent a season on loan in the top-flight with Sheffield United in 2023-24. Such experience is more than what Palmer had during his time at the club.

The England international's career has soared after joining Chelsea for £40m two years ago, winning the Europa Conference League and helping the Blues reach the Club World Cup final on Sunday.

McAtee will be hoping for similar success should he exit Etihad Stadium this summer.

The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.

The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.

The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.

Read more about the show here

Watch the first two episodes of Last Pundit Standing now on BBC iPlayer

Inter Milan are concerned Manchester City or Barcelona will trigger the 25m euro (£21.5m) release clause for 29-year-old Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries, with the option running out on 15 July. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Manchester City have set an asking price of £40m for playmaker Jack Grealish, with Newcastle, Tottenham and Napoli interested. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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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.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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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.

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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.

Listen to more fan discussion on BBC Sounds

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Kyle Walker has completed a £5m move to Premier League newboys Burnley after a trophy-filled eight years in Manchester.

The former City captain won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, a Champions League and a Club World Cup at Etihad Stadium.

So tell us, how will he be remembered?

What is his legacy?

Have your say

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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.

Listen to the full chat here

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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?

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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