Manchester City

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he feels sorry for the players struggling for game time during his club's shrunken season.

Normally at this point in a campaign, Guardiola is juggling the triple demands of a Premier League title push, an FA Cup run and a Champions League campaign.

However, City's earlier than expected exit from Europe and subtle tweaks to the domestic calendar mean Guardiola is only having to deal with one game a week.

That, in turn, means fewer changes are needed in areas of the pitch where he has a lot of choice – and in particular Jack Grealish has found himself squeezed out.

Grealish has not started a Premier League game since the defeat at Aston Villa on 21 December. Other than his surprise start against Real Madrid on 11 February, when he went off injured after half an hour, the 29-year-old's only significant involvement in 2025 has been in the FA Cup wins against lower league Salford, Leyton Orient and Plymouth.

"I feel so sorry for the players who do not play," said Guardiola. "When we have games every three days the rotation is easy but now I have to decide every game for the quality the players have."

For the home draw with Brighton on Saturday, Guardiola also left England international Phil Foden on the bench.

Unlike Grealish, Foden at least got onto the pitch, although only as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, who got injured just 18 minutes after coming on as substitute.

Guardiola admitted Foden's omission was purely a selection choice.

"Listen, all the managers around the world, when they select 11 players, they have to believe that they are going to win," he said. "I never found a manager who selects a team thinking it's going to lose.

"If we win I am right - if we don't, it could be better."

Manchester City will have to pay at least £70m if they want to prise French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 22, away from Real Madrid. (Football Insider), external

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

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City new-boy Nico Gonzalez does not believe there are transition seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

Gonzalez was part of a £180m winter spending spree as City looked to stabilise their season after a horrible run of one win in 13 games.

After a partial revival, Pep Guardiola's side are struggling again, with Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Brighton meaning they have now secured just four victories in their last 10 games, two of which have come against lower league opposition in the FA Cup.

While City remain fifth, which is almost certain to be enough to clinch a place in next season's Champions League, sixth-placed Newcastle have a game in hand and Bournemouth, in 10th, are only four points adrift.

After an unprecedented four successive titles and an historic Treble in 2022-23, it is being viewed by some as a campaign of transition for the Blues.

Gonzalez, a £50m arrival from Porto, does not see it like that.

"I don't think it's a transition at City," he said. "In every year, in every game, you have to win, you have to give everything.

"We have talked a lot about this. There are nine finals. I am pretty sure if we play like this (against Brighton) good results will come."

City had been monitoring the former Spain under-21 midfielder but accelerated their interest when results nosedived as Guardiola found it impossible to plug the game left by Rodri's long-term knee injury.

Gonzalez has already made eight appearances, having quickly established himself as a first-choice in City's new-look midfield.

"I'm so happy to be here," he said. "I feel great to play in maybe the best team in the world over the last 10 years in the world. I'm very proud."

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

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

Listen back to match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

Image source, Getty Images

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC MOTD: "It was a good game. A tight game - I know how difficult it is to make the process which we're in now.

"The players gave everything - we take the point and we keep going.

"Of course, I have confidence and I always have. The young players played good. All the defenders were so clever.

"We were close, but unfortunately we couldn't do it."

On Bernardo Silva picking up an injury: "I don't know I didn't speak to the doctors. Bernardo is so strong."

Image source, Getty Images

Erling Haaland's opener from the penalty spot means he has now reached 100 Premier League goals involvements (84 goals and 16 assists) in 94 games - faster than any other player.

The division's record goalscorer Alan Shearer previously held the record, scoring 79 goals and registering 21 assists in 100 games.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Man City's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

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

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Everton v West Ham

• Southampton v Wolves

• Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Brighton

• Bournemouth v Brentford (17:30) - full commentary starts on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

This is not an easy one to call, because Brighton are on a great run - they have won four in a row and are right in the mix for the Champions League places.

The Seagulls will move above City in the table if they win, but everyone down to Bournemouth in ninth place could be in the top five by the end of the weekend, it is that tight.

I have been a bit gutless with City recently and have backed them to win games like this against the teams around them in the table - like last week against Forest, for example.

I don't really want to make that mistake again but, at the same time, I do think City look a lot more dangerous with Omar Marmoush in the team.

Also, I'm told that lot of FPL managers have piled in on Erling Haaland this week because they think he is going to score a hatful in City's next two league games, here and against Leicester at the start of April. I can see where they are coming from.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There are some telltale signs when Pep Guardiola is really irritated by someone.

One, definitely, is when he adds Mr in front of their name.

So, to understand his view of former England boss Fabio Capello, you just need to read his response to my question regarding the comments about him made by the Italian earlier this week.

Capello had labelled Guardiola 'arrogant' for his management style, then said the tactical approach of City's boss actually killed Italian football for a time because everyone was trying to replicate it.

I started by asking Guardiola if he paid any attention to comments from the likes of Capello, who also managed at the highest level of the game.

"I listen to everything that people say about me, so be careful," he said.

"It's not the first time Mr Fabio Capello has said that.

"I'm not good enough to ruin Italian football. A big hug to Fabio. A big hug."

We might be waiting a while to see that.

Speaking on The Football News Show, former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown assesses what Jack Grealish needs to return to form after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On showing signs of improvement in recent weeks before losing to Nottingham Forest last weekend: "We have to reach the highest possible level to qualify for Europe next season. We have to be consistent as possible. There are 10 games, six at home and four away. They are tough games at home and we have to do better because there are many teams with the same target as us."

• He said they remain "not like they were" and "didn't deserve to win" against Forest based on their performance.

• On the possibility of finishing in the top four: "It's not a disappointment to be here, it is a challenge. If we can qualify for the Champions League, then it would be a huge success from my point of view. It depends on our football as to whether we will be there or not."

• He said he watched the Champions League games this week as a "spectator to learn and enjoy it" and did not feel resentful as City "didn't deserve to be there."

• On criticism levelled at the form of goalkeeper Ederson, Guardiola said: "He is an incredible keeper. That is my thoughts."

• On Jack Grealish who missed out on a place in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad: "I want the best for him, I want his best on and off the best. I cannot judge the England national manager."

• On opponents Brighton, who are rivals for a European place: "Brighton are one of the best clubs on and off the pitch. An exceptional young manager, who is doing incredible things. It's not a secret. They deserve to be there."

• On Saturday's match supporting City's official charity City in the Community: "Everyone knows [what it means to Guardiola]. Part of the area and city. To help people with problems and without problems. To be part of it is so nice. When the club do something, I am part of that through good and bad things."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news (from 13:30 GMT)

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have never lost a home league match against Brighton (W12 D2), winning the past 10 in a row. It is the most they have faced an opponent at home without defeat in their league history (14).

Brighton are enjoying the longest ongoing winning run in the Premier League (four games). It is the Seagulls' longest sequence of league victories since April 2017 in the Championship (five) and their joint-longest in the top flight (also five from April-May 1981).

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to tell us in one sentence why Manchester City will qualify for the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Trevor: City have the squad and depth of experience to qualify for the Champions League and they know they have the full support of the fans.

Brian: Man City have belief and that triggers uncertainty in others so the Blue Moon will shine.

Paul: City will be fifth this season and just qualify for Europe. A season of transition is what we've just seen and they will be stronger next season.

Abdul-Koza: City know how to grind out results.

Mark: Man City will qualify because the teams around them are even more unreliable when it comes to winning games

Scott: Manchester City will qualify for the Champions League via their league position after a run of eight wins from their final 10 games.

Tony: Experience at the end of the season.

Rashid: Simply because City is the best club in the Premier League.

However, not everyone was convinced so here is a flavour of the other side of the argument:

Chris: They won't because of a stubbornness to change.

Image source, Getty Images

On Wednesday, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said Jeremy Doku has the potential to be "one of the best wide forwards in the Premier League" but is "obviously not the finished article".

Now in his second season in Manchester, and already a Premier League champion, the 22-year-old winger represents a key figure in City's future and current transition period.

Here, BBC Sport looks at three performances that showcased Doku's high potential.

Image source, Getty Images

Four assists against Bournemouth (4 November, 2023)

Four assists and a goal in a 6-1 win, this was the performance that truly announced Doku to the Etihad Stadium faithful.

"When he takes the ball everyone gets excited - me too," Guardiola said on the winger's showing, who scored the opener before setting up four more to equal the Premier League record for most assists in a single game.

Image source, Getty Images

Stunning winner against Fulham (5 October 2024)

After coming off the bench just after the hour mark with the score at 2-1, Doku exhibited the explosive way he can impact games.

Drifting in from the left-hand side, he produced a couple of his signature body feigns to create space for a shot before crashing a fearsome strike into the top corner.

It turned out to be the game's decisive goal after Fulham scored late to make it 3-2.

Image source, Getty Images

Goal and assist against Nottingham Forest (4 December, 2024)

An unprecedented seven-game winless run for City under Guardiola was ended with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in December and, not for the first time this season, Doku provided the inspiration.

A calm assist for fellow Belgium international Kevin de Bruyne followed by an excellent finish into the far post showed a glimpse of the end product that, if shown more often, would make him one of the league's most productive wingers.