Manchester City

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City have made their best start to a Premier League campaign for six years and now face a Tottenham side that also took maximum points on the opening weekend.

City have picked up just one win from their past four home matches against Spurs but Pep Guardiola's table-toppers were impressive in their 4-0 win at Wolves last weekend.

Tijjani Reijnders stole the show at Molineux with a midfielder masterclass and became only the second player to score and assist on Premier League debut for City after Sergio Aguero.

City's defensive high line also caught the eye and they limited the home side to three shots on target and an expected goals total of 0.56. Guardiola's men have kept seven clean sheets since April – the most of any side – and have faced the fewest shots per game of any top-flight side in that time.

Erling Haaland pitched in with two goals and he's now scored on the Premier League's opening weekend in all four of his seasons at City. He has amassed 48 goals in 48 home league appearances for the club but only one of those has come against Spurs at the Etihad.

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has made an encouraging start to life in north London with a 3-0 home win over promoted Burnley in his first Premier League game in charge.

Frank has switched to a more direct style of play, with 57% more crosses into the box and 36% more successful long passes compared to last season's Premier League average under Ange Postecoglou. Going longer at times on Saturday might prove fruitful, particularly if City persist with their extremely high backline.

The Dane led his former side Brentford to a 2-1 victory at the Etihad in November 2022 and could become just the third manager to defeat Pep Guardiola in an away league match with two different clubs. Jose Mourinho was the first with Real Madrid in 2012 and Manchester United six years later, and he was followed by Antonio Conte at Chelsea in 2016 and Spurs in 2022.

It is no secret that Tottenham are in the market for another attacking midfielder to replace the injured James Maddison, with failed bids for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze widely publicised.

However, £55m new boy Mohammed Kudus offered plenty of creative spark with five chances and two assists – no other Premier League player provided more last weekend.

Goals should at least be a guarantee on Saturday. The past four top-flight meetings between these sides at the Etihad have produced 21, with City scoring nine and Spurs 12.

Manchester City really impressed me last week and everyone is rightly talking about Tijjani Reijnders. Statman Dave told me to get him into my fantasy team, I didn't take that advice and I should've done. He was brilliant against Wolves.

I do think Tottenham will be a level above under Thomas Frank. It will be interesting to see how they set up after playing a back three in the Super Cup final against Paris St-Germain.

Cristian Romero has signed a new contract for Tottenham - that's a big deal - but how did they not get Eberechi Eze over the line? It had been going on for weeks and now Arsenal have come in and embarrassed them!

Tottenham are still a few players short from properly challenging the really big teams and, in this game, I think City at home will be too strong for them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

With 10 days still remaining, the astonishing £2.37bn spent by clubs in this transfer window is now a Premier League record.

Manchester City have been responsible for around £108m of that figure on five new players including Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.

City's business has gone under the radar somewhat, with the likes of Liverpool's £100m man Florian Wirtz and Arsenal's £64m striker Viktor Gyokeres taking the headlines.

I asked boss Pep Guardiola about the cash being splashed by English clubs and whether it can continue.

"I don't know but the clubs spend with the strict financial rules [of PSR] and they will only spend if they can do it," he said.

"Apparently It's not just Manchester City [who are spending]."

A cheeky retort from the Spaniard.

He added: "Everyone does what they believe is the best for the team. I know our net spend for the last 10-11 years is amazing.

"You don't spend if you don't sell. We have been really good, that's why they're sustainable."

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Etihad Stadium (12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola confirmed that Rodri and Phil Foden are "ready for tomorrow" after missing the first game of the season.

• With the midfielder set to return from injury, Guardiola called Rodri "the best player in the world" and said he just wants "consistency" in his fitness.

• He added: "Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol and Savinho are the only ones that are out."

• On if James Trafford will start ahead of the fit again Ederson: "We will decide tomorrow or tonight after dinner. I am happy with him, the new players always bring a new energy and James brings his youth and desire to play for the club he grew up at."

• When asked about Premier League clubs breaking spending records, he said: "I don't know but the clubs spend with the strict financial rules [of PSR] and they will only spend if they can do it. Apparently It's not just Manchester City [who are spending]."

• On their poor record against Spurs: "Spurs have been a tough opponent for us but this is a new season for us and what happened in the past is in the past and there's nothing we can do. Last season [4-0 defeat] came when the dynamic wasn't good but it is a new season with new vibes."

• Guardiola called Thomas Frank a "top class manager" and believes he can do "an incredible job" at Spurs.

Listen to more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds

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Manchester City defender Ruben Dias says he is "incredibly happy" after committing his future to the club by signing a new four-year contract.

The 28-year-old has made over 200 appearances and won nine trophies throughout his five seasons at the Etihad, having joined from boyhood club Benfica in September 2020.

Dias told the club website: "I'm so proud to represent this great club. City is where I want to be - at the top of the sport and competing for trophies.

"The club's ambition aligns perfectly with mine and, as a footballer, there is nothing better than that.

"I love Manchester - it is my home now - and I love the Manchester City fans. Their support from day one has been absolutely unbelievable and I appreciate them a lot.

"When I think about the trophies we have won and the way we have played our football during my time here, I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else.

"Now the hard work begins. I want to promise the fans that I will give everything to win more trophies and bring more success to City."

Dias' previous contract had been set to expire in 2027 but this new deal takes him to 2029, with the option of a further 12 months.

Everton are interested in signing 30-year-old Manchester City and Netherlands defender Nathan Ake to reinforce their defence. (Mail), external

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Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

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Manchester City midfielder Claudio Echeverri has joined Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan deal.

The Argentine teenager, 19, made three appearances for City last season, including his debut as a substitute in the FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace.

He scored his first City goal in the 6-0 thrashing of UAE side Al-Ain at the Club World Cup in June.

City signed Echeverri from River Plate for £12.5m in January 2024, but the player will now continue his development in Germany under ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

"It's fantastic for me to take the next steps with the 2024 champions of Germany now in the Bundesliga and the Champions League," said Echeverri, who will wear the number nine shirt.

"I want to get a lot of minutes on the pitch and develop into an even better player week by week. A lot of young players have made it to the top of the game here at Bayer Leverkusen.

"I want to take that path in the coming season and play my part in helping Bayer achieve great things."

Manchester City are in talks over a new five-year contract with defender Rico Lewis.

The 20-year-old has been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest in this transfer window.

Lewis was given a surprise start in Saturday's opening Premier League game at Wolves and impressed by providing an assist in the 4-0 victory.

"For me, I've never ever seen myself at a different club," Lewis said after the game. "I've always wanted to play for City.

"It's my dream club, and like you see today, when I'm playing with the kind of players that I'm playing with, it brings out the best in me, so I'm so happy."

Manager Pep Guardiola added: "I think he is going to stay. He told me that."

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford claimed the Championship Player of the Year prize at the PFA awards in Manchester on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old collected the award after helping Burnley to promotion last season, amassing an incredible 29 clean sheets in 45 matches and conceding only 16 goals.

Trafford was also named in the Championship team of the year for his outstanding campaign at Turf Moor.

"I'm very proud to collect these awards and of what we achieved last season," he said. "We consistently put in really good defensive performances and it was great to have been a part of that.

"I loved my time at Burnley and improved massively as a goalkeeper and as a person. I am hoping to take all that into the new season now with Manchester City and looking forward to continuing my footballing journey."

With Manchester City demanding £70m for Savinho, Tottenham have targeted Monaco's £47.5m-rated French attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, 23, as a cheaper alternative. (Independent, external)

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Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

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Last week, City boss Pep Guardiola reiterated the need for a smaller squad saying leaving players out is "not healthy" and that he "cannot create a good atmosphere to compete".

Tottenham have been in talks to sign winger Savinho, but sources have told BBC Sport that City don't want to sell the Brazilian unless they receive a fee worth considering.

Goalkeeper Ederson has been heavily linked with a move to Galatasaray and the 32-year-old missed the opening game victory over Wolves because of illness.

It is understood the Turkish champions have also reached out to City expressing an interest in signing defender Manuel Akanji.

However, a sale would only be sanctioned if the offer is right and the 30-year-old Swiss international indicates a desire to leave Etihad Stadium.

Championship side Wrexham have agreed a deal worth up to £8m to sign City defender Callum Doyle.

The transfer window closes on Monday 1 September at 19:00 BST.

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It wouldn't be a Premier League opening weekend without somewhat of a reactionary take on your favourite club, would it? So here goes: In Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester City have a player who could make or break their entire season.

It's much simpler than it sounds, but the 27-year-old's showing at Molineux epitomised exactly what this new iteration of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City squad exudes - pace, threat on transition, versatility, goals from across the pitch, and retaining ball possession as quickly as possible.

Reijnders brought dynamism back to the Manchester City midfield, and it was his ability to drive through the pitch from deep, whilst retaining a remarkable control of the ball in tight spaces despite his imposing physical figure, that played a significant role in Pep Guardiola's side scoring the goals that they did.

And that's before you even consider the former AC Milan man's composure in making the right decision at the right time, and also adapting to fast-moving scenarios in the way that he did to loft the ball over the Wolves' defence to find Rico Lewis, who in turn slotted the ball across to Erling Haaland for City's opener.

Now for a tough truth. Reijnders must stay fit, and Reijnders must start all of Manchester City's crunch matches this season. Could we be facing a very early realisation of a 'Rodri situation', whereby should the Netherlands star succumb to an unfortunate absence, Guardiola's new-look side could be somewhat derailed?

Perhaps Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff, supported by Pep Lijnders, will be more aware of the tactical versatility in this new-look City squad, and perhaps there are further iterations with different personnel to offer variety in how they play. But for now, the early belief is that Reijnders is a real midfield dynamo, and one that could play an enormous role in Manchester City going all the way, and not just in the Premier League.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Many people consider Manchester City as outsiders in the title race – only five of our 33 pundits predict them to lift the trophy in May – but their impressive 4-0 win at Wolves means that they have now taken 43 points from their 20 games in 2025 - more than any other side.

Liverpool fans may argue that their team took their foot off the gas for the final four games of last season after winning the title, but City have still taken a point more having played a game fewer.

Rodri's season-ending injury last September clearly derailed their Premier League campaign but, rather than simply awaiting his return, Pep Guardiola has found a solution without him and the former champions have been getting back on track since the start of the year.

The graph below is City's 'non-penalty expected goal difference per game' since the start of last season, which tells us how much a team dominates their games by creating lots of good chances and limiting their opponents to few, bad ones.

It is the X-ray stat - the one that shows how good teams are before hot finishing streaks and the rub of the green come into play.

As we can see, Guardiola's side are now almost dominating games to the level that they were before Rodri's injury, so anyone writing them off does so at their peril.

It seemed reasonable to assume that City would only return to being the dominant force they were once the Ballon d'Or winner himself returned. But, given that only Liverpool have dominated their games more since the start of the year, we may be wrong in that assumption.

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Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There has been speculation in recent weeks about Manchester City full-back Rico Lewis, who has been heavily linked with a move to Nottingham Forest.

Sources have told BBC Sport Forest have been looking to sign the Englishman this summer, with a reported fee of £30m being mooted.

But the 20-year-old started City's impressive opening game of the season victory at Wolves on Saturday and spoke about his future afterwards.

"For me, I've never ever seen myself at a different club," he said. "I've always wanted to play for City.

"It's my dream club, and like you see today, when I'm playing with the kind of players that I'm playing with, it brings out the best in me, so I'm so happy."

Boss Pep Guardiola added: "I think he is going to stay. He told me that. But maybe tomorrow it changes."

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club panel were all impressed by Tijjani Reijnders' "unbelievable" Premier League debut against Wolves in which he scored one and provided an assist.

Following the departure of Kevin de Bruyne this summer, there has been a lot of talk around how Pep Guardiola fills their 'Kev-shaped hole,' but any existing worries have probably now been put to bed because of Reijnders' potential.

"He's still got a long way to go before we put him in the same league as De Bruyne," said former top-flight striker Sutton. "They are not like-for-like players, but it is about making an impact and he certainly did that.

"The reverse pass for Erling Haaland, when he scored his second, was clever and a typical City move.

"All afternoon he was a threat. It doesn't get much better in terms of debuts so I think City fans have a lot to be excited about with him."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Considering Manchester City conceded 44 goals in the Premier League last season - the most in a season since 2009-10 - it would be reasonable to think that Ederson himself didn't have a great campaign in terms of shot-stopping.

His save percentage would certainly suggest that, ranking 13th out of the 26 goalkeepers that played at least 10 games in 2024-25.

But judging a keeper's shot-stopping purely by his save percentage doesn't take into account the quality of shots that he specifically faced, since not all shots are equal.

It's a bit like being a judge at a cooking contest and not considering the quality of ingredients each chef is working with when deciding who made the tastiest meal (this is also why 'shot conversion rate' doesn't tell us who's the best finisher).

The reason why that is so important for Ederson in particular is because although he had one of the quietest shifts in goal last season since City didn't give up many chances, he had the toughest in terms of shot-stopping as the former champions gave up higher-quality shots than any other team in the league.

When taking that into account, only Jordan Pickford of Everton was a better shot-stopper than Ederson in the Premier League last season, with the Brazilian preventing five goals more than expected from hitting the back of the net.