Manchester City

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

I’m holding back from waxing lyrical about Rico Lewis once again, and I’m sure editors of this column would not be too keen on BBC Sport’s Manchester City fan writing becoming a fan page for the defender.

The same goes for Erling Haaland. With now 10 City hat-tricks to his name, I’ll save my thoughts on him for another time. But if we’re being honest; what more can we even say?

This week is all about Ilkay Gundogan; the return of a history maker, a Treble-inspiring captain and a legend of an ever-fascinating football institution.

The 33-year-old is why I’m retiring from predicting transfer business. This is a story that sums up why football is so unpredictable, and why the Etihad Stadium is the pinnacle of the sport for any player at the top of their profession. As Riyad Mahrez previously stated, there is no better place in the game right now than Manchester City.

Despite initial links to the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Adam Wharton, who both offer more long-term solutions to supporting Rodri, City’s patience has led them to a player far more immediately suitable to a challenging role.

Intentional or not, City have likely saved on a minimum spend of £65m when it comes to the aforementioned targets, too. The emergence of Gundogan as an available option was a no-brainer, and while it does leave them with work to do in later transfer windows, the impact of their legendary former captain will be seismic, on and off the pitch.

Saturday highlighted the glove-like fit of Gundogan, coming straight into Pep Guardiola’s operation and as revealed by himself, without too much in the way of tactical instruction. “I had a short meeting with Pep; he showed a few sequences,” he said.

Had City moved faster in the window, we wouldn’t be talking about a player who has been entrusted with mammoth demands so soon. That trust is invaluable, especially when it comes to Guardiola’s side maintaining their position as the team to beat. Players now have to fit in almost immediately to fend off the challenge of Arsenal and others.

When Gundogan brought an end to his stay at City last summer, not one supporter could have imagined a homecoming 12 months later. Barcelona’s ongoing struggles to compete in a precarious financial position have proven to be of great gain to Guardiola, who showed no hesitation in taking his former club’s leading chance-creator.

We can debate as much as we like when it comes to who we would want to see in Sky Blue, but ultimately Txiki Begiristain and his recruitment colleagues are the best of the best, and after everything they’ve achieved over the last decade when it comes to squad building, perhaps putting our faith in them isn’t a bad idea.

This is a club that never fails to deliver the most remarkable of stories, and who knows what the future holds for a back-up to Erling Haaland. Sergio Aguero, anyone?

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Atletico Madrid are exploring a potential loan signing of Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes, although they have not yet made an offer. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City forward Kayky has joined Dutch top-flight club Sparta Rotterdam on a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old Brazilian joined City from Fluminense in April 2021 and featured in the Premier League and the FA Cup in the 2021-22 campaign.

He has had previous loan spells with Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira and Bahia in his homeland.

Image source, Getty Images

Flags at Etihad Stadium will fly at half mast in honour of Manchester City's former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has died at the age of 76.

Eriksson succeeded Stuart Pearce and managed the club during the 2007-08 season, leading City to their first league double over Manchester United in 38 years.

In a statement the club said, external: "The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City are with Sven's family and friends."

'Engaging and courteous with a touch of steel' - Eriksson obituary

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Ipswich Town.

Here are some of your comments:

Man City fans

Abdullah: Brilliant performance. Every player was superb. Haaland hat-trick, Savinho and Doku looking really positive, De Bruyne looking strong, but the defence is the only slight problem. It is one of the best in the world, but you honestly can't be conceding silly one-off goals to any team, because eventually the very best clubs will punish you.

Tim: Despite the early goal, City remained focused and showed their ruthless possession and finishing qualities to transform the game. The crossbar prevented two goals in the first half, but Haaland's hat-trick was well deserved and announced his intention to retain the Golden Boot this season. Another deserved and clinical victory.

Andrew: Total domination against the Championship winners, and it was all done without Rodri and Foden. Gundogan should be the final missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle from last season. I'm not sure where the vastly overpriced Jack Grealish fits in now though.

Geoff: Man City are playing in training ground mode, against modest opposition, until the real season starts in a few weeks. Now Gundogan has returned, I feel more confident of a fifth Premier League title and another excellent run in Europe. It is great to see the promotion of four or five homegrown youngsters to the first-team squad - that could be significant as the season continues.

Ipswich fans

Andy: This result was expected. Honestly, I thought it would be 5-0! We showed that we can be an attacking threat and we should have been awarded a penalty too! The mistake by Muric loomed large in this game - it was a huge blow against a far superior opponent. There is nothing to be ashamed of here and nothing to panic about. There are 36 games left.

Ash: We showed a lot of courage at times and we will take points from a lot of teams this year. Manchester City and Liverpool last week were simply levels above at times when it mattered. They created so much space and looked dangerous the whole game. We did have our moments, with some bold play, but there was not enough in the final third.

Andrew: Some slick passing at times but unfortunately, against the world's best team, they just kept playing into trouble. We were penned in for the whole of the second half, so we need to find another way to release the pressure.

Paolo: A misleading score! Ipswich gave a very good account of themselves and, if it wasn't for the penalty and goalkeeping error, we were well in this game. Other clubs will get a shock if they take Ipswich lightly.

Image source, Getty Images

Oasis star and Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about Pep Guardiola, who could be in his final season as Manchester City manager:

"I do see him from time to time and sometimes when I talk to him, I think he's not going anywhere, but sometimes I think that maybe he is. He keeps his cards very close to his chest.

"I just think where is he going to go? He's too young to retire and he's too young for international football. He's done Germany, he's done Spain and there's no money in Italy.

"I just don't see where he goes after City and my instinct tells me he's going to stay."

Listen to the full interview with Noel Gallagher on BBC Sounds

Manchester City are considering a move for 19-year-old Iceland striker Orri Oskarsson from FC Copenhagen. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Manchester City are willing to accept offers for Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes, 25, following the return of former Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 33, from Barcelona. (Football Insider), external

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

Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 4-0 Everton

• Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been speaking to Sky Sports after returning to the Etihad: "When I arrived a couple of days ago, I was already joking with the players. That was before I signed the contract.

"It feels like I have never been away. It feels like home. I feel so much happiness to play again for this amazing club.

"I got a lot of feedback over the last few days - a lot of fans and friends in Manchester, players, staff. 99% were so positive so I expected that, with a good result, it would be an amazing day. Luckily it turned out to be like that. I am very proud to be back.

"With Pep, he is so demanding and this is what I love. Every year, I feel I have to reach my limits. I had a short meeting with him. He showed me a few sequences from the Chelsea game and said since I left he tried to adapt little details. Hopefully I will get them as quickly as possible.

"I am ready to go and be challenged."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has speaking to BBC Sport after his side made it two wins in two games: "It was a good game. We started really well. With the transition, they made a good goal but we played really well. I am really pleased to start the season that way."

On striker Erling Haaland's hat-trick: "He is so reliable on penalties, the assist for the second, fantastic for the third. Last season he struggled a lot, especially at the beginning. He felt tired and had niggles most of the time. This time, with the rest and with no Euros, he has arrived with a good vibe. The numbers are unbelievable."

On Ilkay Gundogan's return: "I was not thinking to let him play, but they are a good threat in the transitions. Gundogan reads the game perfectly. It was an incredible welcome from everyone. I'm happy because I know he is incredibly satisfied to be back."

On whether Savinho has settled into the team quicker than expected: "Yes - not just with the minutes, but he has also played really good. The second half, he dropped a little, but his contribution offensively and defensively was really good."

Image source, Getty Images

Each of the first four shots in this game were scored, making this the first ever time this has happened in a Premier League game (excluding own goals) on record (since 2006-07).

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist at Etihad Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Erling Haaland had a summer off from football with Norway absent from international tournaments, instead spending his time chopping wood with his father.

The break certainly seems to have done him good as he has come back looking as hungry as ever.

He has top scored in his two seasons in the Premier League so far and leads the way already, albeit after just two games, with this hat-trick against Ipswich putting him two goals clear of anyone else with four goals.

Facing a player of Haaland's calibre will have been a big learning experience for the Ipswich defence, as they struggled to contain him.

A cool penalty got the striker up and running but his second and third were typically impressive finishes. He first took the ball past goalkeeper Arijanet Muric to slot in his second before then driving a fine long-range finish in at the near post in the final few seconds for his hat-trick.

No doubt there will be many more to come this season as Manchester City target a fifth title in a row.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Manchester City fans, send us your thoughts, external

What did you make of Ipswich's display, Tractor Boys fans?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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There are seven games on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week two, he takes on Make Me A Mixtape hosts Clara Amfo and Jordan Stephens.

Sutton's prediction: 4-0

I really like the work Ipswich have done in the transfer market. They are signing Armando Broja and also got Sammie Szmodics, Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson in, so they are giving it a go.

For the first hour against Liverpool, I thought they really pushed them and played with great intensity. I feel really sorry for them the fixtures have fallen as they have done.

Manchester City got a pretty routine win against Chelsea last week and that is them fairly half-cooked and nowhere near up to speed, so that is ominous for Arsenal, Liverpool and everybody else. At home, it will be business as usual for City.

Amfo's prediction: 2-1

Stephens' prediction: 4-1

I feel like Ipswich will get one, just because City always start pretty slow.

Read the full predictions and have your say