What's the thing no-one is talking about?published at 12:44 7 May
12:44 7 May
Despite an uncharacteristically wobbly season, Manchester City still have an FA Cup final to look forward to and are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League.
But beneath the most high profile topics, what else is happening at City?
You know your club best, so tell us the one thing that no-one is talking about but really should be.
Premier League veterans to the rescue?published at 07:51 7 May
07:51 7 May
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Time stops for no man, as Kevin de Bruyne and Jamie Vardy are discovering right now.
Both are considered 'too old' for the teams they have graced for 10 and 13 years respectively. Both are arguably the most important - and maybe most-loved players - in their club's recent history. Both clearly have unfinished business as top players, even if Jamie is 38 years old and Kevin is 34 in June.
They had a few other things in common this week. First, they looked the most likely to score for their teams. Secondly, they both did.
The fire hasn't gone out for either player and both could doubtless still do some sort of limited, short-term strategic job for their teams going forward - but those ships have sailed.
Playing this well when they know they are leaving could be down to a number of reasons: professionalism and pride in their work is clearly on show.
Giving your best while still being paid considerable sums to turn out each week should be a given, but it isn't always.
There is also the consideration that, like other players nearing the end of their contracts, they are putting on a show for any prospective employees. If they 'downed tools', like some others have done to ensure they don't pick up any injuries, it wouldn't be a great look.
Vardy must be thinking that a top team in need of a natural scorer would be worth looking at him. Even if his role was as a substitute most weeks, he could come on when the defenders are tiring, space is opening up and desperation is kicking in.
With the chances Arsenal created this season, and them having no obvious natural scorer to add the final touch, would Vardy on their bench look silly or astute?
Arsenal took a chance on Raheem Sterling this season, which clearly hasn't worked, but would De Bruyne be a better bet, if they took a punt on him?
I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a daft move, even if the Gunners have a few decent players in that area. Mikel Arteta knows Kevin, so you never know.
Vardy and De Bruyne might be on the way out, but both still have something to give. It might yet be closer to home than some people think, rather than the expected pension booster jobs in the Middle East or - dare I say it - the good old USA.
Gossip: Wirtz set to snub Man Citypublished at 07:08 7 May
07:08 7 May
Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 22, is set to snub interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid to join Bayern Munich. (Bild - in German, external)
'A change is required' or 'a puzzling decision'?published at 15:50 6 May
15:50 6 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Manchester City should be doing everything they can to keep Kevin de Bruyne at the club.
Here are some of your comments:
Scott: My heart says one more season but, unfortunately, my head agrees that this is a fitting end to arguably City's greatest ever player. I will be very sad to see him go and maybe he'll end up at another Premier League side. He can still play with the best - albeit not week in, week out.
Chris: I understand the need to free up funds. However, the decision to let De Bruyne leave but keep Ilkay Gundogan for another year is a puzzling one. Gundogan has been far from his best all season, whereas a half-fit De Bruyne still has the edge in tight games. There are other high-earners I would like to see leave before King Kev!
Steve: Sadly, it is time to say farewell to De Bruyne. Nobody can doubt the wonderful contribution he has made to City and the Premier League for the past 10 years, but the club has to move forward and bring in fresh blood! We all doubted the club could replace Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Fernandinho etc... but it did. As sad as I will be to see Kevin leave, for him to go out on a high and with fans remembering the best of him is the best way!
David: We want our new signings to be able to flourish and to do that they need game time. Letting experienced players go is inevitable. I'd rather Bernardo Silva and Gundogan were allowed to leave because KDB has more to offer. However, paying someone £400K to play a bit part makes no business sense and keeping him may stifle some of the new signings.
Alf: City are definitely doing the right thing. If they had done the right thing with a few players last summer then they would probably be champions again now.
Steve: We need fresh legs in the middle of the park, and although KDB has been amazing for a decade, all good things come to an end. Granted we do have other liabilities in this area, but change is required.
De Bruyne decision 'has to be emotionless'published at 12:43 6 May
12:43 6 May
Freddie Pye Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
With every final goal contribution, you cannot blame many fans for wondering whether Manchester City are making a monumental error in letting go of arguably the club's greatest-ever player at the wrong time.
After almost 10 years of service in the finest period in the club's history, Kevin de Bruyne will end his Manchester City career this summer following a decision not to offer renewed contractual terms beyond a difficult campaign for the club.
But at a time when Pep Guardiola needs his players most, it is the Belgian who is stepping up, showing little sign of slowing down when it comes to his impact in the final third.
It was the 33-year-old who carried the team on his shoulders last month, inspiring City to come back from 0-2 behind at home to Crystal Palace to win 5-2 in the Premier League just days after his emotional announcement concerning his exit on social media.
Then on Friday, his match-winner against Wolves put City within touching distance of the much-needed Champions League qualification this season.
Hoisting the FA Cup on May 17 could be the sweetest icing on top of a remarkable cake for De Bruyne at City and the task of replacing a true behemoth of English football will be enormous.
Yet there is far more to do for Hugo Viana, Txiki Begiristain and co than merely replacing one of the game's greatest creative footballers. This summer will decide whether the 2024-25 season was just a blip or whether Manchester City's time at the very top of the game is over.
With that task comes finances, a reshuffling of personnel, and the toughest of emotionless decisions to be taken within the club. That is where the weight of De Bruyne's monumental and deserved salary comes into play, with the Belgian believed to be earning north of £400,000 per week.
For an organisation aiming to move into a new era through reviving its squad, freeing up the finances is important, particularly when you considering the names linked with joining in the summer.
Diogo Costa, Andrea Cambiaso, Morgan Gibbs-White, Florian Wirtz... the list goes on. And the cost? Well, De Bruyne has one final part to play in making it possible.
Man City beaten in Youth Cup final by Aston Villapublished at 10:33 6 May
10:33 6 May
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's under-18s side missed out on winning the FA Youth Cup for a second successive season after being beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa in Monday's final.
City have already won the league title this season and made the perfect start as Matty Warhurst converted in the second minute, but Villa provided a fine response.
TJ Carroll levelled just two minutes later, before goals from Cole Brannigan and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba gave Villa a fifth triumph in the competition.
City play their final game of the regular Premier League Under-18 North campaign with a trip to Newcastle on Saturday (kick-off 10:30 BST).
Villa, meanwhile, host Leicester on Thursday and then Arsenal on Sunday in their section.
'We have enough quality to beat Aston Villa'published at 10:59 5 May
10:59 5 May
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City are looking to get their hands on more silverware on Monday afternoon (15:00 BST) as they compete in their second consecutive FA Youth Cup final with the aim of winning the trophy back-to-back for the first time in the club's history.
City academy striker Matty Warhurst spoke about what it means to reach this stage again: "It's recognised as one of the most prestigious competitions in youth football so to win that and be classed as the best team your age in the country is obviously an unbelievable achievement and feeling if we were to win it. Everyone is preparing right and looking forward to it.
"As a team we are recognised as a special team. Obviously the statistics speak for themselves but when we play football, we play together and we play some really good football on the eye. I feel like we have enough quality to beat Aston Villa on Monday."
The final is being played at Villa Park, something that Warhurst says the squad are looking forward to: "As a squad, everyone is excited to play there, it's a really big stadium and it's got a lot of history and that will only make it special. We're expecting a big crowd there with a lot of atmosphere so that's always good."
Fellow academy defender Kaden Braithwaite also gave his thoughts ahead of the final: "Very excited. The whole season we have been working towards this so it will be good to get out there and play against Villa."
Braithwaite was asked about the prospect of lifting the FA Youth Cup as captain and said: "Madness. At the start of the season if you said we would be in these tournaments and I'd be leading them, I wouldn't have believed it. I wouldn't be where I am now without my team-mates, they have a big part to play in it.
"We just need to stay level-headed, understand what we have to do and as long as we stick together, I think we can go all the way."
Gossip: Man City maintain Rodrygo interestpublished at 07:22 5 May
07:22 5 May
Arsenal have enquired about signing Brazil forward Rodrygo from Real Madrid, while Manchester City are also interested in the 24-year-old. (Relevo - in Spanish), external
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 12:34 4 May
12:34 4 May
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester City and Wolves.
Man City 1-0 Wolves- the fans' verdictpublished at 13:08 3 May
13:08 3 May
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We asked for your views on Manchester City's Premier League match against Wolves.
Here are some of your comments:
Man City fans
Mu: At this stage of the season results is the main thing - get over the line and that's it. But what a terrible performance -lacklustre and lethargic. We were easy to play through but were fortunate that Wolves couldn't convert those chances into goals. A lot of work needed in the summer that's for sure.
Ian: Some signs of the old City, but still showing real issues in the defensive third. However, still getting the results.
Gene: Another win albeit saved by the woodwork and several saves by Ederson. De Bruyne has been playing with a chip on his shoulder, showing his ability to find holes for others and himself. Defensively there's still too many sloppy mistakes. Although the play has been better there's room for improvement. Overall there were more scoring opportunities which need to be capitalised upon against the weaker teams.
Wolves:
Kieran: Not a bad performance but we need to better in front of goal in games like this. Strand Larsen being out didn't help as him being there would have got us a draw probably, but not a bad performance.
Tim: It was a reasonable performance - we hit a post twice, and if we'd taken our first-half chances there would have been a different outcome. The big thing I did not like was the amount of space Doku was given on our right. His assist for the goal made all the difference.
Nigel: I agree with Vitor. I was immensely proud of Wolves. We went toe to toe with a fine team and showed we have both the spirit and ability to match them or beat them.
Mahrez's medal reminder to Man City team-matespublished at 19:10 2 May
19:10 2 May
Kyle Walker and Michael Brown recall the time Riyad Mahrez jokingly reminded his Manchester City team-mates about the Premier League title he won with Leicester City.
City to issue new season tickets following protestspublished at 18:33 2 May
18:33 2 May
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
A demonstration by some Manchester City fan over matchday ticket pricing and season ticket availability has been scheduled to take place during Friday's game against Wolves at Etihad Stadium.
Fan organisation 1894 Group is urging supporters to remain in the concourse of the stadium until the sixth minute - a minute for every season it claims the club has not issued new season tickets.
Following a meeting with official fan group City Matters, the club published an updated on Thursday after "positive dialogue".
City will be issuing 500 new season tickets for eligible Cityzens matchday and junior members before the start of the 2025-26 campaign and though the subscription joining fees will remain, the club says it will pay back a percentage every time a ticket is bought.
City are also undergoing a revamp of the North Stand, taking the Etihad's capacity to over 60,000 and the club says the "majority of the additional general admission seat capacity resulting from the expansion" will be dedicated to season ticket members.
Did you know?published at 17:40 2 May
17:40 2 May
Image source, Getty Images
According to Opta, Jeremy Doku has completed 98 of his 157 dribbles in the Premier League this season.
That gives him a dribble success rate of 62.4%, the best of anyone in the division with more than 50 dribbles.
A constant threat for City.
Sutton's predictions: Man City v Wolvespublished at 08:25 2 May
08:25 2 May
This should be a great game, because Wolves are so powerful and they will have no fear at all after winning six games in a row.
But Manchester City have looked much more solid in the past few weeks and they are on a bit of a roll themselves, with four successive wins in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola's side will look to control this game, the same way they did in the first half of their FA Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest, but I do not think they will find it easy to keep Wolves quiet.
Still, I went against City in their last home game, against Aston Villa, and I was wrong. I am not going to make the same mistake again.