Manchester City

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There is a strange feeling heading into a summer tournament involving your club, particularly one that holds the weight of the Fifa Club World Cup, and certainly from the perspective of those at Manchester City.

From the fans' perspective, the total opposite may have been felt had it not have been for the business completed by Hugo Viana in the build-up.

The arrivals of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Tijjani Reijnders have got fans desperate to get the Club World Cup under way, and finally catch a glimpse of the new wave of potential legends.

After a season of disappointment, there is a feeling of urgency to get going again and see the Pep Guardiola side that we have come to love get back to their scintillating best. And that starts in the US.

Many would have expected a few rising academy stars to have been included in a summer seen by some to be a 'competitive pre-season'. However, Guardiola's squad list - solely featuring senior first-team players - is a clear indication as to how the competition is being viewed.

There are some glaring omissions that speak volumes as to whose futures are in doubt, with Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker the most notable. Both are deemed surplus to requirements and deals are likely to be thrashed out for the pair to leave in the coming weeks.

Speaking to many fans, very few would have concerns over letting go of either player, with the best of their City careers likely behind them.

The squad brought to the Club World Cup says all you need to know about how seriously this is being viewed, and given the vast sums of money on offer for winning matches, it is hardly surprising!

City find themselves at the centre of a squad overhaul, and with more business anticipated for the rest of the summer, many will be seeing this as a prime opportunity to bolster funds for the market.

Only time will tell whether taking the tournament as seriously as possible will have a knock-on effect on Manchester City's ability to kick-start their season as fresh as possible, and also to go the distance in competitions given the early start and lack of a summer break.

On the flip side, Guardiola could see this as an opportunity to get his squad sharpened in perfect time for the start of the Premier League campaign, as opposed to easing into 2025-26 off the back of friendlies and pre-season tours.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Image source, Opta

Manchester City are huge favourites to progress from Group G of Fifa's inaugural expanded Club World Cup this summer.

Pep Guardiola's men face Moroccan side Wydad AC in their opener on Wednesday, followed by Abu Dhabi's Al Ain and finally Italian giants Juventus.

Opta's supercomputer, external gives City a 71.3% chance of topping Group G and a 25.9% of finishing second - a 97.2% chance of securing their place in the last 16.

This 97.2% chance of progression is the highest Opta's model gives any of the 32 teams in the group stages of the competition.

Given the resources of the two non-European clubs, Juventus are also heavy favourites to progress - despite enduring a tough five-year period since they were last crowned Serie A champions in 2020.

At the time of writing, Wydad are 365th in the Opta Power Rankings, external, while Al Ain are rated 611th.

Only Auckland City (0.1%) are deemed to have a lower probability of getting through the group stage than either Wydad (10.3%) or Al Ain (5.1%).

Juve's chances are ranked at 87.4% by Opta - meaning in all likelihood the final matchday meeting between Juventus and City will decide the group winners.

Image source, Opta

With the route to the final already mapped out, topping the group looks vital to avoid Real Madrid, who are themselves heavy favourites to win Group H and face Group G's runner-up.

City did face Juventus in the league phase of last season's Champions League in December, losing 2-0 in Turin during a damaging period of seven defeats in 10 games.

From a financial perspective, each group-stage win will net City £1.5m, with £5.8m for reaching the last 16, £10.2m for reaching the quarter-finals, £16.3m for progressing to the semi-finals, and £31m for winning the final.

The maximum prize available is about £97m for winning all of group-stage matches and then going on to win the tournament - the biggest amount ever awarded in club football over a seven-game format.

City have been made second-favourites by Opta - with their 17.8% chance of lifting the trophy behind only Champions League winners Paris St-Germain's 18.5%.

Image source, Getty Images

Spanish football journalist Eduardo Alvarez says European teams could be subjected to a "huge upset" at the Club World Cup if they are not ready for "very enthusiastic opponents".

The newly expanded tournament starts on Saturday with Manchester City and Chelsea taking first-team squads to the United States without a break after long domestic and European campaigns.

High temperatures are also expected at many of the games, especially those played in the middle of the day for broadcast during the evening in Europe.

"They are going to need to pause for hydration," Alvarez told the BBC's World Football podcast. "The combination of the heat and the fact that this is the off-season for the European teams will have an impact.

"I tend to think that the teams who are not 100% with their head and their heart on the tournament will be eliminated pretty quickly and those who stay will be extremely motivated to win this for the first time.

"In the following rounds we will see more entertaining match-ups and this will be interesting in the end.

"For the top European clubs, obviously they have been compensated with money - but in terms of the calendar this is not ideal. They are playing probably 60 or 70 matches and this is another six or seven that are not very welcome.

"But, all the other clubs - the chance to play Bayern Munich or Real Madrid you probably only get once in a while. To them, if there's another two or three more matches - who cares?

"Some of them will bring us a huge upset. That's part of the fun of the football. It's the off-season for the European teams, some of them will be caught sleeping by a very enthusiastic opponent who say: 'This is the game of our lives, we need to play like there's no tomorrow.'

"These teams will either end up causing trouble to, or actually beating, a big household name."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter in Florida

Image source, Getty Images

In 31C heat in Boca Raton, Florida, the Manchester City players emerged at the incredible facilities at Lynn University to begin their Club World Cup preparations.

Erling Haaland and co were put through their paces in the team's first training session since arriving in the United States with new signings Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli all involved with their team-mates for the first time.

The most intriguing aspect of the session was seeing how vocal first team coach Kolo Toure was after the ex-City defender was drafted in from the youth team for this tournament.

The former full-back was barking out instructions and seems to have already forged a good working relationship with new assistant coach Pep Lijnders.

City's training sessions will ramp up over the next few days before beginning their campaign against Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

The inaugural expanded Fifa Club World Cup gets under way on Sunday, with Manchester City's tournament starting on Wednesday, 18 June against Wydad Casablanca (17:00 BST).

The Blues' 27-man squad was confirmed on Tuesday and they are now preparing to travel out to the United States.

There is still some uncertainty and confusion surrounding the competition and how exactly City will approach it given it is the first iteration in this format.

BBC Sport football news reporter Shamoon Hafez will be in the US following Pep Guardiola's side, so we're giving you the chance to put your Club World Cup-related questions to him.

They could be about City's aims for the tournament, squad decisions, new signings, opponents, fan excitement, his own expectations... whatever's on your mind.

Send your questions here

And stay across this page on Tuesday for Shamoon's answers to a selection of the best

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester City's ticket pricing for the 2025-26 campaign has been welcomed by fans' groups who campaigned against the club last season.

Instead of rises that had been feared by supporters, City have said the price of the lowest-priced tickets will be reduced.

While the actual prices will differ depending on the category of the game, an adult ticket for the lowest category of matches will range between £30 and £50. For the highest category, it will be between £40 and £60. Junior members tickets will be available for between £15 and £30.

City say for the Manchester derby or equivalent fixture, the lowest-priced adult tickets have been reduced by 43%, while the highest-priced tickets by 22%.

"This is a big step in the right direction by the club and a vindication of the collective action so many blues took last season," said the Trade Union Blues group.

"We welcome the reduction in matchday ticket prices," said the Weare1894 group. "A definite step in the right direction and proof that all fans can make a difference."

In his interview with club media last month, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said he was "not OK" with how the ticket situation had played out and the rancour it had caused.

In addition, the club has pledged that "under no circumstances" will the price of a ticket for Premier League game increase if it has been moved because of a clash with a cup tie.

City have welcomed the substantial input from the City Matters fans group, who said: "Through our dialogue with the club, the match day pricing reductions, season ticket price freeze, release of new season tickets and Flexi Gold season ticket fee adjustments highlight the value of fan voices through City Matters."

Image source, Getty Images

After Jack Grealish was left out of Manchester City's Club World Cup squad, The Guardian's Will Unwin spoke to BBC Radio Manchester about the attacking midfielder's options in the summer transfer window: "With someone like Grealish, I would like to see him move abroad with what he has learned from Pep [Guardiola] and the assets he has on the ball.

"His problem is that he is just not quick enough - in Spain, he could play at a slower tempo and use that speed of mind better. I think he would absolutely excel in Spain.

"The headlines are always about Grealish for what he does and doesn't do. If he can get slightly out of the way, it would help him."

Listen to the full discussion on Grealish here

Have any burning questions about the upcoming Club World Cup? Ask our BBC Sport reporter here

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team have been answering transfer-related questions and have received one about likely Manchester City arrival Sverre Halseth Nypan.

Manchester City are set to sign 18-year-old Nypan from Rosenborg with the clubs having agreed a £12.5m deal.

Nypan became the youngest player to represent Rosenborg at the age of 15 and later the youngest player to score for the club at 16 - and he has now racked up 70 appearances and scored 14 goals.

The Norway Under-21 international spent two years at Rosenborg's academy before stepping up to the first team in 2022.

Nypan has made an impression in the Norwegian top flight and was named young player of the year in 2023 and 2024.

It is expected that the teenager will be loaned out initially to continue his development.

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Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Manchester City have agreed a deal with Rosenborg to sign midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan.

Talks over personal terms are ongoing for the 18-year-old, but it is understood the fee would be £12.5m, with no add-ons or other clauses, and he would sign a contract until 2030.

It is expected the Norway Under-21 international would go out on loan.

Making his senior debut at the age of 15, Nypan has featured 70 times for Rosenborg, scoring 14 goals.

He was also heavily linked with Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter in Miami

Image source, BBC Sport

Hello from sunny Miami.

It's a balmy 30C here in the United States as the South Florida city gears up for the start of the Club World Cup on Saturday.

I've just picked up my accreditation for the tournament from the Hard Rock Stadium, which hosts the opening game between Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly on Saturday.

Star attraction Lionel Messi's face is dotted around in places, but unlike when I was in Qatar for the World Cup three years ago, it does not really feel like the start of a global tournament.

I was expecting to be bombarded with banners and adverts for this expanded event, but so far there has been little sign of a soccer spectacle about to roll into town.

With two days still go to, it is all rather low key at the moment, but that should change once the stadiums have been filled and the first ball has been kicked.

I'll be covering Manchester City over here, with the first game for Pep Guardiola's side against Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

If you've got a question around City and the Club World Cup, send them my way here and I'll be answering a selection

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We asked for your thoughts on Manchester City's upcoming Club World Cup campaign and what you make of the squad after the mini-transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Adam: It would take a calamity to prevent City getting to the knockout stage but it's difficult to feel invested in the competition. Based on the latter stages of this season's Champions League, City are nowhere near that level right now and the new signings likely won't have had enough time to settle in.

Charlie: City will do OK in the competition. It's a chance for all our new signings to try out and also to welcome the injured heroes back to the team. Good luck to everyone concerned.

Sunny: Looking forward to the Club World Cup, especially with all of the new signings and how they perform. Great to see all purchases made prior and now to get them to gel together prior to the new season.

Kevin: To be honest, I'm not really bothered about this competition at all. The players are already asked to play too many games so I don't think it's helpful to introduce more games for players who are already tired after a long hard season.

Gary: Disappointed he has not taken Divine Mukasa or any of the victorious U21 squad to America. Surely Pep and his staff can see Mukasa is destined for greatness.

John: Money rules the world of football and the welfare of the players, and the quality of the football comes last. I'm sure it will have its moments; Messi playing, the odd upset, but at what cost? Fatigued players going straight back to the Premier League and the injuries that will be experienced.

Andrew: Great squad but would have liked more academy players for development and experience. Classic Pep - half the squad are 'midfielders'.

Image source, Getty Images

Italian football journalist Nima Tavallaey says "outstanding" new Manchester City signing Tijjani Reijnders has "incredible vision and creativity" and is a "very good signing" as the club look to rebuild after the departure of Kevin de Bruyne.

The 26-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign for AC Milan, scoring 15 goals and registering five assists in all competitions before securing a £46.3m move to Pep Guardiola's side.

"I think Tijjani Reijnders is a fantastic midfielder," Tavallaey told BBC Radio Manchester. "He's a goalscoring midfielder, a very technical midfielder.

"He was probably the only shining light last season in what was essentially just darkness at AC Milan. He was outstanding.

"This is a very very good signing for City who are looking to rebuild after the De Bruyne era.

"Reijnders is not a physical midfielder, although he can hold his own. He is technical, very dynamic, a great finisher and has incredible vision and creativity.

"Given how City play and Guardiola wants to formulate his midfield, I think he will fit in just fine."

When pushed to identify weaknesses in Reijnders' game, Tavallaey added: "He's not exactly the best at tackling, he's not a ball-winning midfielder like that.

"He is very good at pressing and reading the play and if he's got players around him who can help him out with ball-winning then he will really come into his own.

"Aerially is not his strongest suit either but overall I think he is a very complete midfielder. He's very creative and attack-minded and I think City fans will absolutely love watching him play."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Everton and Newcastle are leading the race to sign England forward Jack Grealish, 29, from Manchester City this summer. (Football Insider), external

Manchester City are close to reaching an agreement to sign Rosenborg's 18-year-old Norwegian midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

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With Manchester City's squad for the Club World Cup now confirmed, and their campaign kicking off against Wydad AC next Wednesday, we want your views.

The Blues will also face Al Ain and Juventus in the group stage of the tournament in the United States.

So, how excited are you about the competition and how confident are you City can go far? And are you happy with the state of Pep Guardiola's squad going into the tournament after the mini-transfer window? Agree with Jack Grealish being left out?

Get in touch with your thoughts here

READ MORE: Which European teams are in the Club World Cup

Pep Guardiola has left playmaker Jack Grealish out of Manchester City's squad for the Fifa Club World Cup.

The City boss has named a strong 27-man squad for the tournament, including forwards Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, and midfielder Rodri, who missed the majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

It also includes four new signings - midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, forward Rayan Cherki, left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli - as well as defender John Stones, who has not played since February because of a thigh injury.

Stones will return to action despite missing international duty with England over the weekend, while James McAtee will remain at the European Under-21 Championship, where he is England captain.

Grealish was expected to miss out, with the 29-year-old's future unclear after starting just seven league games in 2024-25.

Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips have been out on loan this season and were never going to be included.

City's tournament gets under way against Wydad AC at 17:00 BST on 18 June.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has won the Club World Cup more times than any other manager. And in fact, he has guided his side to victory every time he has participated in the competition.

• 2009 - Barcelona

• 2011 - Barcelona

• 2013 - Bayern Munich

• 2023 - Man City

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City youngster James McAtee says the main reason for choosing the European U21 Championship with England over the Club World Cup was "game time".

McAtee, 22, admitted his importance to Lee Carsley's Young Lions squad was one of the decisive factors, as well as the chance to play at an international tournament.

Asked if his club were supportive of his decision, McAtee said: "Yeah, I just had a little conversation. It wasn't a long one - it was just a little one of what I wanted to do and it was easy as that.

"The main thing was obviously game time and maybe my importance to this group [England Under-21s].

"I've never had an international tournament before, so I wanted to come here."

McAtee has been named as captain by boss Lee Carsley, with England defending their title.

England U21s kick off their campaign against Czech Republic on Tuesday at 20:00 BST.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City fan and journalist Jack Gaughan spoke to BBC Radio Manchester on new attacking signing Rayan Cherki.

"Really, really exciting player I think," Gaughan said.

"There's not a lot of players in Europe, nor a lot of players signed over the past few years, who have got a full fanbase going: 'I can't wait to see him play.'

"He's got a maverick ability to him. He plays off the cuff in a way that you don't see in the Premier League any more.

"That's what makes it a standout signing and we seem to have got him relatively cheap as well. The rebuild is going on at a pace quicker than I thought."

Listen to the full piece on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Following the news of Tijjani Reijnders' arrival at Manchester City - the club's second signing in under 24 hours - we asked for your views on the deal.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: Reijnders is an exciting and creative signing. A playmaker who is inspiring on the field and has a thirst for winning. He will fit nicely into a new squad who have to attack more next season and whose goal average must increase. City are clearly saying we mean business.

Kevin: This is a great signing for energy, transition and threat. With Rayan Cherki as the new Marhez, this will add real creativity and style.

Steve: Excellent signing at a great price in today's inflated market. He is a cultured player, capable of carrying the ball box-to-box at speed, something we sorely missed this season.

Gerard: Amazing. I can't wait to see his pace and energy in the Sky Blues jersey. I was impatiently waiting for his confirmation. Congrats to the recruiting team.

Franek: Took about a week so I got a bit worried but, eventually, we had a done deal! Reijnders will bring a very energetic aura about him and life will come with him! However, part of me just thinks Pep Guardiola is going to turn him into a winger!

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have completed the 55m euros (£46.3m) of Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.

The 26-year-old has arrived on a five-year contract and is the type of balanced midfielder City lacked last season.

The Dutchman scored 15 goals in 54 matches for Milan last term. It was the best goalscoring season of Reijnders' career, with the 26-year-old hitting double figures for the first time.

But the former AZ Alkmaar man, who made his senior debut for PEC Zwolle in 2018, is far more than just goals.

Capable of playing deep or high in midfield, Reijnders' appeal to a coach like Pep Guardiola is clear.

The midfielder is capable of taking the ball in tight areas and is adept at beating the press, either through his passing or ball-carrying.

With Rodri returning from injury towards the end of last season, Reijnders could either play alongside the Spaniard or in a more advanced role.

But the main benefit he brings is giving Guardiola greater options in midfield.

It is two signings in two days for Manchester City and, according to Opta, they are two impressive ones at that.

Rayan Cherki led all players aged 21 or under for both chances created (75) and expected assists (11.7) in Europe's big five leagues in 2024-25.

Meanwhile, Tijjani Reijnders made more passes breaking the opposition's defensive line than any other player in Serie A in 2024-25.

Image source, Opta